SHAUN MALONEY retired from his football playing career to return to Scottish Premiership side Celtic as a youth coach. The club announced on Thursday that the Scotland int'l has been appointed as a U20 development coach (HERALD SCOTLAND, 8/10). ... RYAN ATKIN is England’s "first openly gay professional official." The FA welcomed the 32-year-old’s "revelation of his sexuality as a landmark sign of progress." FA Head of Senior Referee Development NEALE BARRY said, "Ryan's declaration marks an important moment in the game and reinforces the fact that refereeing really is open to everyone." Atkin will "take charge of games in the National League North and South this season, as well as operating as a fourth official in Football League games" (London GUARDIAN, 8/10). ... Arsenal Manager ARSÈNE WENGER said that he was "convinced" there would soon be a female Premier League manager. He also predicted those picking teams in the near future would "not necessarily be football specialists," with decisions being taken by "technological analysis" (London TELEGRAPH, 8/9).
