Three Tennis Australia board members resigned from the organization "just days before the Australian Open began in Melbourne." The trio are former tour professionals KERRYN PRATT and JANET YOUNG, along with Tasmanian businessman PETER ARMSTRONG. Young has been a director since '08, while Pratt has "combined TA work with commentating for tennis broadcaster the Seven Network." Armstrong "was a financial consultant." No reason "has been given for the trio’s departure but reports emerged last night of a revolt against the current administration" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/20). ... The IAAF announced JEAN GRACIA has been appointed in the role of interim CEO/general secretary. Immediately upon becoming the IAAF president, SEBASTIAN COE began a comprehensive review of the organizational structure of the IAAF. This process will be concluded with the appointment of a new CEO/general secretary. Until that appointment is made, Gracia has been appointed to support the day-to-day operations of the IAAF HQ in Monaco as the interim CEO/general secretary (IAAF). ... Ironman and Infront Sports & Media announced the expanded role of HANS-PETER ZURBRUEGG. He has been appointed as the managing director of Ironman Europe, Middle East & Africa, while also continuing to lead Infront's Active Lifestyle & Endurance business. Zurbruegg has worked for Infront since '01 and has held several leadership positions, including director of business development and head of controlling & risk management (Infront). ... Spanish second division side Mallorca Owner ROBERT SARVER will introduce a new coach "two weeks after acquiring a majority stake in the club." It was announced on Monday that FERNANDO VÁZQUEZ will replace PEPE GÁLVEZ as the team's coach (SUPERDEPORTE, 1/18). ... La Liga side Espanyol President JOAN COLLET will resign on Wednesday after confirmation of CHEN YANSHENG's purchase of a majority stake in the club. The current members of Espanyol's administrative counsel "are expected to resign en bloc on Wednesday" (AS, 1/19). ... Liga MX side Cruz Azul announced on Twitter that EDUARDO DE LA TORRE will take over as the club's sports director. De la Torre, who currently works for Fox Sports, "took a few minutes on the air to say goodbye and make his new position official" (LA AFICIÓN, 1/18). ... The Montenegro FA (FSCG) named Serb LJUBISA TUMBAKOVIC its new national team coach in a bid to turn around its "flagging fortunes." The FSCG said, "Tumbakovic will arrive in Podgorica on Wednesday to sign a two-year contract and his first two games in charge will be friendlies away to Greece on March 24 and at home to Belarus on March 29." The 63-year-old is "taking over from" BRANKO BRNOVIC (London DAILY MAIL, 1/19).
CALLING IT QUITS: Chilean national team Manager JORGE SAMPAOLI reached "an agreement to terminate his contract on Tuesday." He had "been at odds with the nation's federation over compensation for several weeks, but the two sides were at odds at how he would buy out his contract." Sampaoli reportedly would have had to pay the €6.3M ($6.9M) remaining on the deal, but multiple reports "now say that figure dropped" to between €600,000 ($655,000) and a little over €1M ($1.09M) (ESPN, 1/19).
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