The global advisory group that counts Facebook, Vivendi and Coca-Cola as clients has hired former Irish rugby player BRIAN O'DRISCOLL to "boost the growing sports side of its business." N.Y.-headquartered Teneo, co-founded by former BILL CLINTON aide DOUG BAND, was brought in by FIFA last year to handle its image following "allegations of bribery and corruption," and counts NBA players LEBRON JAMES and KOBE BRYANT as clients. The former Ireland and Lions captain will join Teneo’s sports team as a senior adviser in the London-based operation of subsidiary Blue Rubicon (London GUARDIAN, 6/9). ... PAT WHELAN has been elected Six Nations chair for a three-year term. Whelan takes over from BILL BEAUMONT who had been chair since '12 and who was recently elected as chair of World Rugby. He is the first Irish chair since TOM KIERNAN in the early '90s (Six Nations).
COACHES/MANAGERS: TONY BROWN has been appointed head coach of New Zealand Super Rugby side Highlanders for '17. New Zealand Rugby "announced Brown's appointment." Brown, who has been assistant coach to JAMIE JOSEPH since '14, "will be joined next year by fellow former All Blacks SCOTT MCLEOD, who will continue as assistant coach, and MARK HAMMETT, who is set to return to the South Island as a new assistant coach with the franchise" (OTAGO DAILY TIMES, 6/9). ... FELIX MAGATH has been "confirmed as the new manager of Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng Taishan." Magath, who won Bundesliga titles during his stints in charge of Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, "is taking on his first managerial role since his sacking at Fulham" in Sept. '14 (ESPN, 6/9). ... Less than a week after original bench coach HIROKI FUJITA’s departure was made public on May 27, Japanese basketball side Fukushima Firebonds named his replacement. TOMOHIRO MORIYAMA was hired "to guide the team for its third season, and first in the new B. League, which tips off in September, Fukushima announced last Friday." He "accepted a two-year contract" (JAPAN TIMES, 6/9). ... Former Premier League side Watford Manager QUIQUE SANCHEZ FLORES has been appointed La Liga side Espanyol's "new head coach, less than a month after the Spaniard left Vicarage Road." The 51-year-old -- who is succeeded by ex-Inter Milan boss WALTER MAZZARRI at Watford -- "has signed a three-year deal" (BBC, 6/9). ... La Liga side Deportivo La Coruña named GAIZKA GARITANO its new coach (AS, 6/9).
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