OCTAVIAN MORARIU was re-elected president of Rugby Europe. As the sole candidate running, Morariu was unanimously re-elected for another four-year term that will cover the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Rugby Europe). ... Motor1 confirmed that GEOFF LOVE will be bringing 25 years of publishing experience from Dennis, EMAP and the BBC to lead the company’s European expansion plans. He will take up his post on Feb. 1 (Motor1). ... Bundesliga side FC Augsburg "has fired" head coach DIRK SCHUSTER after "four winless games." Assistant coaches SASCHA FRANZ and FRANK STEINMETZ "have also been released from their duties, effective immediately." The club appointed youth coach MANUEL BAUM as the team's interim coach (DPA, 12/14). ... League Championship side Birmingham City has sacked Manager GARY ROWETT "after more than two years" in charge of the team. Rowett, 42, who left Burton Albion to replace LEE CLARK in Oct. '14, won 42 of his 106 games as manager at St. Andrew's.
Ex-West Ham and Watford Manager GIANFRANCO ZOLA "is believed to be high on Blues' list of potential replacements."
Rowett's departure, along with assistant manager KEVIN SUMMERFIELD and coaches KEVIN POOLE, DARREN ROBINSON and MARK SALE, "comes in the wake of Birmingham's Chinese owners Trillion Trophy Asia Limited making three new boardroom appointments on Monday."
WENQING ZHAO, CHUN KONG YIU and ZHU KAI, all existing directors of Hong Kong-based Birmingham Int'l Holdings, "have formed a new five-man board," alongside existing Dirs PANOS PAVLAKIS and VICTOR MA (BBC, 12/14). ... Spanish second division side UCAM Murcia appointed former Almería coach FRANCISCO as its new manager as the club aims to "avoid relegation." Francisco has been "without a club for over two years" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 12/14). ... Daily fantasy sports operator Oulala has restructured its sales/business development department by appointing two senior collaborators. Former Marathonbet Business Development Manager OLIVER NINER will take on the role of business development director. ANTHONY MEDICA, previously linked with Summit of iGaming Malta and Sports Betting Community, will become a sales director (CASINO NEWS, 12/14).
Do you have an executive announcement? If so, please send to global@sportsbusinessdaily.com
