The FA appointed GEORGINA LEWIS, currently head of digital at Microsoft, as its head of marketing. Lewis will take up the role on Feb. 27. She succeeds former Marketing Dir RUSSELL JAMES, who took on the role of digital engagement director earlier this month. Lewis has been at Microsoft since '04 and has held the roles of marketing manager, head of social and head of digital. Her remit at the FA will cover the work currently undertaken by the organization’s existing marketing, digital and customer relations teams (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 1/31). ... KORE Software hired DARREL PUGH as European commerical director. He was previously with SAP as head of media, sport & entertainment for U.K. and Ireland (KORE Software). ... The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) will hire RODOLFO SIBRIÁN to replace EDGARDO CODESAL "in the technical area of Mexican officiating." Sibrián, who has 10 years' experience training referees for FIFA, will take over the role this summer (RÉCORD, 1/31). ... Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara Sports Dir MARIANO VARELA "left the club four games into the current season." He was informed on Tuesday that Chivas "no longer needs his services due to the ongoing restructuring of the organization" (LA AFICIÓN, 2/1). ... MP & Silva promoted SUHYEON CHO to chief commercial officer. Cho, who joined MP & Silva in '08, has been promoted from managing director, Japan & Korea. In his new role as CCO, Cho will be responsible for driving the group's commercial strategy, working closely with group exec directors KONSTANTINOS FILIPPAS and ROLAND NIKOLAOU (MP & Silva).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Sevens World Cup-winning coach PAUL JOHN has been named as GARETH BABER’s successor by the Hong Kong Rugby Union, "with the role doubling as the head of the elite rugby sevens athlete programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute." John, who guided Wales to victory in the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, "replaces Baber who took over as Fiji coach last year." John will "assume the dual roles" of program administrator at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Hong Kong Rugby Union’s men’s sevens coach next month (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 2/1). ... ZORAN MAMIC has been confirmed as Arabian Gulf League side Al Ain's new manager after finalizing a deal to succeed ZLATKO DALIC at the club. Mamic, who on Friday "announced his decision to step down as manager of Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr," agreed to the terms of his contract -- believed to be 18 months. His backroom staff has "already travelled to the UAE" (THE NATIONAL, 2/1). ... The coach who led Iceland to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals "has been hired by struggling Norway." The Norwegian Football Federation said that LARS LAGERBACK signed a contract through the Euro 2020 qualifying program. He replaces PER-MATHIAS HOGMO, "who left in November after losing at the Czech Republic" (AP, 2/1).
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