Nike has appointed ULRIKE KÖHLER as its new GM and VP for the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region.
Köhler, who has been working at the U.S. sportswear company since '97, will replace DANIEL EPPLER in the position in November. Eppler was the head of Nike's DACH region since Sept. '12 (Nike). ... Former France national football team coach RAYMOND DOMENECH has joined L’Équipe as a consultant. He will regularly feature in the newspaper and appear on the TV channel for Ligue 1 matches and Champions League matches. Domenech coached the French team from ’04-10 (L’Équipe). ... Tennis South Africa announced the appointment of RICHARD GLOVER as CEO of the organization from Oct. 1. Glover‚ 40‚ has "a wealth of experience in the sports industry‚ both locally and internationally‚" having spent time at both Arsenal and Cricket South Africa. While living in the U.K.‚ he "also completed his MBA at Kingston University Business School." Glover is currently managing director of Frontiers Sport and Entertainment‚ a sports marketing agency‚ "which he helped launch" in '12 (BD LIVE, 9/27). ... The Int'l Hot Rod Association announced MAURICE ALLEN as IHRA Australia managing director. Allen started his career in motorsports as a Pro Stock motorcycle racer at 20 years old and later set up the Australia Dragbike School in Melbourne. Prior to joining the IHRA, Allen was the CEO of the Australian Professional Drag Racing -- 400 Thunder (IHRA).
COACHES/MANAGERS: GERARDO MARTINO, the former Argentina coach who "quit after failing to lift this summer's Copa América Centenario, will take charge of Atlanta United" in its first season in Major League Soccer next year. The 53-year-old resigned from his Argentina post in July in protest at what he called “serious problems” at the Argentinian FA. Atlanta will join Minnesota United in MLS next season, "as the league expands to 22 teams." Atlanta United Owner ARTHUR BLANK said, "Gerardo brings an unprecedented level of international experience to our head coaching position that will be a valuable asset to our players and demonstrates the continuing growth of Major League Soccer" (London GUARDIAN, 9/27). ... French Pro D2 rugby side Narbonne President BERNARD ARCHILLA is expected to present CHRISTIAN LABIT as the club’s new manager, “replacing PATRICIO NORIEGA" (LE FIGARO, 9/27). ... Barcelona hired TONI OTERO to work under PEP SEGURA, the club's technical secretary for youth teams. Though "final details have not been announced, Otero will work as a scout" (SPORT, 9/27). ... The Bulgarian Football Union has “terminated national team coach IVAYLO PETEV’s contract, clearing him to take over at Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.” Petev said that he arrived in Zagreb on Tuesday and will watch the Champions League Group H match between Dinamo and Juventus, and he is “expecting to be unveiled as Dinamo coach on Wednesday.” Former Bulgaria defender PETAR HUBCHEV has “emerged as the clear front-runner for the Bulgaria job after confirming talks with the BFU” (REUTERS, 9/27). ... Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach coach ANDRE SCHUBERT on Tuesday “signed a two-year contract extension” that runs to ’19, a day before his team plays Barcelona in the Champions League. Schubert, who took over early last season after a five-game losing start under LUCIEN FAVRE, “led Gladbach to a fourth place Bundesliga finish and a spot in the Champions League qualifiers” (REUTERS, 9/27). ... J.League first division side Niigata Albirex has "let go" of Manager TATSUMA YOSHIDA. He will be replaced by KOICHIRO KATAFUCHI after "four straight defeats have left Niigata 15th in the overall J1 table" (KYODO, 9/27). ... Spanish Second Division side Getafe announced that JOSÉ BORDALÁS "is to take over as manager following the dismissal of JUAN ESNÁIDER." Bordalás has "signed a contract until the end of the season" (AS, 9/26).
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