Serie A side Udinese coach FRANCESCO GUIDOLIN "has officially retired," but will be “supervisor” of the Friulani, Watford and Granada. From next season, he "will no longer be the Coach of Udinese, but take on the role of technical supervisor." Udinese "have not yet announced who will be the Coach from next season, though Guidolin has been involved in the decision" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 5/20). ... Hong Kong Rugby Football Union Chair TREVOR GREGORY "has wholeheartedly thrown his support behind" head coach LEIGH JONES "remaining in charge for the final Asian Five Nations game against Japan, despite the Welshman switching camps to the Brave Blossoms after the high-stakes clash in Tokyo on Sunday." Gregory: "I would not have allowed him to stand down. I don’t think there is a conflict of interest and I’m comfortable with his presence in the dressing room." Jones "will take up the role of defence coach with Japan after the winner-takes-all game in Tokyo, which guarantees automatic qualification to the next year World Cup" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 5/20). ... The Japan Skating Federation’s board of directors on Monday decided on American RYAN SHIMABUKURO "as a head coach with the national speedskating team." Shimabukuro "had been a coach with the U.S. national team up until last season." He "will principally be in charge of the sprinters" until the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics (KYODO, 5/20). ... Former Australian basketball player AL GREEN "is considering legal action" against district basketball club Woodville Warriors’ president "after being sacked as coach." Green said that "he did not get along" with Woodville President BENN MCDONALD and that led McDonald "to remove him from the job." Green: "It’s not the Woodville family, it’s basically me and one guy ... a personality clash" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/20).
