Bundesliga side FSV Mainz President HARALD STRUTZ "will not run for re-election" at the next German Football League (DFL) meeting after recent criticism. Strutz had been a league board member for the past 15 years. Representatives of the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga clubs will vote on their new league board on Wednesday (SPONSORs, 8/17). ... The IAAF appointed OLIVIER GERS CEO, following a six-month search which attracted more than 200 potential candidates from around the globe in sport, business and entertainment. Gers, 46, has more than 20 years commercial, marketing and media experience, leading large global teams in creating revenue driven products, networks and brands. Currently global president of LiquidThread, a division of Publicis Media Group, in the U.K., Gers spent 15 years in the U.S. in leadership roles with FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide and as global head of IMG Digital Media in N.Y. before heading to the U.K. in '10 as CEO of Endemol Worldwide Brands. Gers will start his new role as CEO of the IAAF on Oct. 1 (IAAF). ... OREGAN HOSKINS announced on Wednesday that "he was stepping down as president of the South African Rugby Union after a decade of service and achievement." Hoskins was "elected for a two-year term" in Feb. '06, and rose to be vice-chair of the organization before "opting not to stand for re-election in May this year." A number of "notable landmarks were achieved during his presidency" with the winning of the Rugby World Cup in '07, a series victory over the British & Irish Lions, the Tri-Nations title and Sevens titles -- including Commonwealth gold and an Olympic Bronze Medal (SUPER SPORT, 8/17).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Scottish Rugby announced Pro12 side Glasgow Warriors head coach GREGOR TOWNSEND will replace VERN COTTER as Scotland head coach at the end of the '16-17 season. Cotter's contract ends in June '17 and Scottish Rugby announced its intention to install former Scotland int'l Townsend into the role when his current contract with Glasgow Warriors also ends at the same time. Townsend has been head coach for the Warriors since '12, leading them to the playoffs in every season, culminating with his team becoming the first Scottish professional side to win the league title in '15 (Scottish Rugby). ... Liga MX side Santos Laguna named JOSÉ MANUEL DE LA TORRE its new coach, replacing LUIS ZUBELDÍA for the rest of the season. Santos Laguna announced that BENJAMÍN GALINDO MARENTES and ÁLVARO DE LA TORRE will work as his assistants (LA AFICIÓN, 8/16).
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