FA Group Operations Dir JULIE HARRINGTON has been appointed the new CEO of British Cycling. Harrington leaves her role at the FA to take over from IAN DRAKE. British Cycling has been “subject to a UK Sport independent investigation into culture and practices” at the organization. Drake, who led British Cycling for eight years, said when he stepped down that it was “the natural moment” for a new figure to lead the organization “forward into Tokyo 2020.” Harrington is currently responsible for running both Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park for the FA (BBC, 3/6). ... Serie A side Palermo named PAUL BACCAGLINI president, "with the Italo-American’s takeover almost complete." A former radio and TV personality, Baccaglini has since "become an investor," collaborating with FRANK CASCIO during his "failed takeover of Palermo last summer and subsequently co-founding" the Integritas Capital fund that will purchase the side (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/6). ... German second-division side Hannover sacked GM MARTIN BADER and Sporting Dir CHRISTIAN MÖECKEL to "make way" for former Schalke GM HORST HELDT. The team said that Bader and Möeckel have been let go "with immediate effect" (AP, 3/5). ... Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President CARLO TAVECCHIO was re-elected on Monday, beating Serie B President ANDREA ABODI "at the third ballot." Tavecchio received 54.03% of the vote while Abodi received 45.97% (ANSA, 3/6). ... The PGA of Australia announced GAVIN KIRKMAN as its CEO. Kirkman was PGA Queensland CEO from '02-07 and PGA national chief membership officer for the past six years (PGA).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Spanish Basketball League (ACB) side Zaragoza on Monday announced it sacked coach ANDREU CASADEVALL. Zaragoza “is currently one loss from the relegation zone” (EFE, 3/6). ... Greek football club Olympiakos sacked coach PAULO BENTO on Monday “after a string of poor results.” The team has lost three straight league games “for the first time in 21 years” (REUTERS, 3/6). ... Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen appointed TAYFUN KORKUT as its head coach until the end of the season. Korkut, 42, succeeds ROGER SCHMIDT. Leverkusen confirmed the appointment on Monday with CEO MICHAEL SCHADE saying, “We need a new impulse to achieve our goals” (ESPN.com, 3/6). ... Indian Super League side Chennaiyin and Manager MARCO MATERAZZI parted company by mutual consent. Materazzi was the head coach of the club for the first three seasons of the ISL (Chennaiyin). ... League One side Coventry City reappointed MARK ROBINS as its manager, a day after relieving RUSSELL SLADE of his duties. Robins, 47, returned to the Sky Blues “for his second spell as manager,” having been in charge between ’12 and ’13 (BBC, 3/6).
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