Executive Transactions

RALPH FÜRTHER was appointed SVP of communications for German pay-TV broadcaster Sky Deutschland on Friday. The 53-year-old reports directly to CEO CARSTEN SCHMIDT (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 12/1).

COACHES/MANAGERS: MIKE KEENAN, "one of the most successful and divisive coaches in NHL history," has been relieved of his duties as coach of Chinese-based Kontinental Hockey League side Kunlun Red Star. Keenan was replaced by former NHL player BOBBY CARPENTER, the team's assistant coach, on an interim basis (ESPN.com, 12/3). ... La Liga side Alavés hired coach ABELARDO FERNÁNDEZ to replace Italian coach GIANNI DE BIASI, who was fired on Monday (AP, 12/1). ... Bundesliga side Cologne "parted ways" with Manager PETER STÖGER on Sunday after failing to win any of its league games this season. The club said that Stöger's contract, which was due to run to June '20, was terminated by mutual agreement and that U19 coach STEFAN RUTHENBECK "will take over until the league's winter break" (AP, 12/3).