William Hill CEO JAMES HENDERSON "has stepped down with immediate effect after its board instigated the search for a successor over dissatisfaction with the company’s stalling online growth." Henderson, who has worked at the bookmaker for more than three decades, will be replaced by CFO PHILIP BOWCOCK. The U.K.'s "largest retail bookmaker by number of betting shops was once the clear leader in the sector but its business has been hit by greater competition from online newcomers, tougher regulation and higher taxes." William Hill Chair GARETH DAVIS said that the company's "recent online performance had convinced the board of the need for a change at the top" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/21). ... Korean business exec CHUNG MONG-GYU "has been re-elected as the national football chief." Chung was elected to a second term as the president of the Korea FA by a "unanimous vote of the 98 members in attendance." He was "the sole candidate in the election and needed a majority of 106 electoral votes to retain his seat." Chung is the CEO of construction firm Hyundai Development Co. He served his first KFA term from Jan. '13 to June (YONHAP, 7/21). ... ESPN shifted MARIE DONOGHUE to a new role as exec VP/global business & content strategy. She will continue to report to ESPN President JOHN SKIPPER, but will work more closely with Disney's corporate strategy team. Donoghue will continue to oversee FiveThirtyEight and The Undefeated, in addition to ESPN’s business affairs, business development and strategy group (John Ourand, Staff Writer). ... Everton announced STEVE WALSH has been “appointed as director of football.” Walsh was “previously assistant manager and head of recruitment” at Leicester City (ESPN.com, 7/21). ... BRIAN MCCLAIR has left his position as Scottish FA performance director “after only 13 months in the job.” The former ManU and Scotland int’l succeeded MARK WOTTE in the role, “which entails heading the Performance Working Group,” tasked with improving Scottish football talent (SCOTSMAN, 7/21).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Nigeria confirmed the permanent appointment of caretaker coach SALISU YUSUF to the senior national team but has been "forced into an embarrassing backtrack" over the announcement of Frenchman PAUL LE GUEN as technical adviser. The Nigeria Football Federation announced that former Paris St. Germain and Rangers Manager Le Guen "would fill the role on Monday, subject to agreeing personal terms, but were left red-faced" when the 52-year-old said that he had "no intention" of accepting the offer (London DAILY MAIL, 7/21). ... Former Portuguese side Porto Manager JULEN LOPETEGUI has been named as the new coach of Spain. The ex-Barcelona goalkeeper, 49, who won one int'l cap for Spain in '94, has also coached the nation's U19, U20 and U21 teams. Lopetegui replaces VICENTE DEL BOSQUE, 65, who announced last year that he would retire after Euro 2016 (BBC, 7/21).
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