Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels appointed BADEN STEPHENSON as CEO -- "despite the axe hanging above the club." While either the Rebels or the Western Force are "set to be axed as a Super Rugby team by the Australian Rugby Union" at the end of the season, the Melbourne franchise is "defiantly pushing ahead with plans for the future." Stephenson will be responsible for the "day-to-day management of the club including recruitment and operations" (STUFF, 6/4).
COACHES/MANAGERS: La Liga side Sevilla confirmed JORGE SAMPAOLI "departed to take charge of Argentina after compensation to trigger the release clause in his contract was received." The club said last week that it had reached an agreement in principle with the Argentine FA but set a deadline of June 1 to "complete the paperwork for the former Chile manager" (PA, 6/1). ... LEE MCCULLOCH will be confirmed as the manager of Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock at the beginning of this week. McCulloch has been "in interim charge" since the departure of LEE CLARK, and "steered the club clear of a relegation battle." He is "expected to sign a three-year contract" (BBC, 6/3). ... Promoted League Two side Portsmouth appointed former Rotherham Manager KENNY JACKETT as its new manager on a two-year deal. The 55-year-old replaces PAUL COOK, who "left to become Wigan manager earlier this week after leading Pompey to the League Two title last season." Jackett "twice led sides to promotion from League One," Millwall in '10 and Wolverhampton Wanderers in '14 (BBC, 6/2).
