ESPN announced the hire of broadcaster VANESSA HUPPENKOTHEN. She will appear on various ESPN platforms, where she will contribute her experience covering World Cups, Olympics, Super Bowls and the biggest sporting events in Mexico (ESPN). ... Former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON said that RYAN GIGGS "did the right thing" leaving ManU, the club he "served so loyally for nearly 30 years." Ferguson said that "he felt Giggs possessed the qualities to make it as a manager." Giggs, 42, left the club on Saturday after Manager JOSE MOURINHO said that "he wanted long-time associate RUI FARIA to be his assistant manager which meant a different role for the former Welsh wing." Ferguson: "It is time Ryan stood on his own feet, got out there and accepted the challenge. I talk about his poker face. He has a bit of steel about him" (AFP, 7/5). ... An autopsy "revealed that an enlarged heart caused the untimely death" of Philippine Basketball Association side Blackwater Elite player GILBERT BULAWAN. The 29-year old Bulawan "died of heart attack on Sunday during team practice at the SGS Gym in Del Monte, Quezon City." He was "rushed to the Capitol Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival" (MANILA TIMES, 7/5). ... Euroleague side Laboral Kutxa exec JOSE ANTONIO QUEREJETA was chosen as the GIANLUIGI PORELLI Euroleague Executive of the Year for the '15-16 season. Querejeta was selected after a vote among his fellow execs from the Euroleague (Euroleague).
OLDHAM LEGEND: Former Man City Manager JIMMY FRIZZELL died aged 79. Frizzell served League One side Oldham Athletic as both a player and manager "in a spell with the club which lasted more than 22 years." He also "spent a year in charge of the Blues in the mid-1980s." On the day PEP GUARDIOLA was unveiled as Man City’s new boss, the club said, “Amid the joyous events of today, all at MCFC are saddened to hear of the passing of former manager Jimmy Frizzell" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 7/3).
