BeIN Media Group CEO NASSER AL-KHELAIFI announced YOUSEF AL-OBAIDLY as president of beIN Sports France. Al-Obaidly was delegate general director of beIN Sports France since the launch of the channel. He succeeds Al-Kehlaifi as beIN Sports France president, while keeping his already existing responsibilities as deputy CEO of beIN Media Group (beIN Media Group). ... GMR Marketing promoted TYSON WEBBER to president, succeeding CRAIG CONNELLY, who held the position since '04. Webber, a 2012 SBJ/SBD Forty Under 40 honoree, will be responsible for guiding GMR's growth, managing key client relationships and overseeing business in North America. He also will work closely with counterparts in South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (GMR Marketing). ... CONOR O'SHEA has "agreed to take over" as Italy rugby manager this summer. He "shocked Harlequins today by announcing he was leaving" the club and will replace JACQUES BRUNEL as head coach of the Azzurri. It is a "huge blow for the London outfit whose players were told yesterday that he was off." O'Shea's deal with Italy "is understood to run up to the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan" (THE SUN, 1/20). ... French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais President RENÉ RUELLO named ROLLAND COURBIS as the club’s new manager after dismissing PHILIPPE MONTANIER from the position Wednesday. Courbis arrived at the club last week as an advisor to Ruello. Montanier had been with Stade Rennais since May ’13 and signed a contract last year through ’19. Courbis has been a football manager for 30 years, coaching 13 different clubs including the Niger national team in ’12. He most recently left Ligue 1 side Montpellier in December after two years with the club (L’ÉQUIPE, 1/20). ... Portuguese side Porto announced the appointment of JOSE PESEIRO as coach on “an 18-month deal with an option for an extra year.” Peseiro left his role at Egyptian side Al Ahly this week and has now been confirmed as the replacement for JULEN LOPETEGUI. He will joined by ALEXANDRE SANTOS, RICARDO DIONISIO, RUI BARROS and DANIEL CORREIA, “who will form his backroom staff” (GOAL, 1/19).
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