PHILIPPE LE FLOC'H has been appointed as the new FIFA Chief Commercial Officer. This new position was established as part of the restructuring of FIFA’s administration to build a more sustainable organization. He will start his new post on Oct. 11 after leaving his role at Dubai-based Customised Solution FZ LLC. Le Floc'h will oversee all commercial activities, heading up both the marketing and TV sub-divisions and helping drive the organization’s commercial performance. He will report directly to Deputy Secretary General MARCO VILLIGER and be part of FIFA’s Management Board (FIFA). ... Australian domestic cricket side Queensland Bulls named former TV exec MAX WALTERS as the team's new CEO, replacing interim CEO MICHAEL KASPROWICZ. Walters "served as managing director of Channel Seven in Brisbane for the past 12 years." The Bulls were "left searching for a new CEO earlier this year following the sudden departure of GEOFF COCKERILL, well before his contract was due to expire" (ESPN.com, 9/29). ... Former England cricket player KIM BARNETT "has been named Derbyshire director of cricket in the lastest coaches restructure at the Division Two club." The 56-year-old ex-Derbyshire skipper "leaves his post as club president to take the newly created job." GRAEME WELCH "left as elite performance director in June" (BBC, 9/30).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Japanese Pacific League side Seibu Lions announced former player HATSUHIKO TSUJI is "to be appointed" the club's new manager. Tsuji, who will hold a press conference on Monday, "was the infield and tactical coach for the Central League's Chunichi Dragons this season." In addition to his other coaching experience, "Tsuji managed the Dragons' farm team to two Western League pennants in three seasons" (KYODO, 10/2). ... Bundesliga side Werder Bremen named interim coach ALEXANDER NOURI as its "head coach for the rest of the season." Nouri, who took the interim job after the sacking of VIKTOR SKRIPNIK, has "guided Bremen to four points from three games in the caretaker role" (ESPN.com, 10/2). ... Former Italy Manager CESARE PRANDELLI will "take charge of Valencia" after agreeing to a contract until '18. The Italian has been in negotiations with Valencia in the last week and finalized a deal with club President LAY HOON CHAN on Saturday. His appointment, Valencia's eighth since parting ways with UNAI EMERY in '12, "represents a break from the club's recent habit of hiring coaches with limited experience" (REUTERS, 10/1).
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