The Spanish Basketball League's (ACB) Clubs Assembly on Monday announced that it unanimously named FRANCISCO ROCA as its exec president. Roca previously worked as the director general of the Spanish Football League (LFP) for eight years and was the NBA's director in Southern Europe for more than a decade (EL PAIS, 5/26). ... Chilean first division side Universidad Católica on Tuesday announced that JULIO CÉSAR FALCIONI will be its new coach. Falcioni, who will replace RODRIGO ASTUDILLO, signed a one-year contract (EMOL, 5/27). ... Liga MX side Veracruz announced that it hired CRISTÓBAL ORTEGA to replace JOSÉ LUIS SÁNCHEZ SOLÁ as its coach. Ortega "was expected to be introduced as the new Veracruz coach on Tuesday" (LA AFICION, 5/26). ... La Liga side Almeria announced that FRANCISCO will remain the club's coach for next season. Almeria President ALFONSO GARCÍA and Francisco agreed to renew the contract for one season on Tuesday (AS, 5/27). ... La Liga side Levante coach JOAQUIN CAPARROS will leave "after the club confirmed that contract negotiations broke down overnight." The coach "had been set to sign a two-year extension." However, according to several reports, "the tactician and the Ciutat de Valencia side disagreed over money, and have now parted ways after just one season" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 5/27). ... SERGIO GONZALEZ "has been confirmed as the new coach" of La Liga side Espanyol, taking over from JAVIER AGUIRRE. The club confirmed that the "B" team boss from last term "will take over the first team" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 5/27). ... Tottenham announced the appointment of MAURICIO POCHETTINO as its new head coach on a five-year contract. Pochettino joined from League Championship side Southampton, where he guided the team to its highest-ever Premier League finish of eighth place last season. Pochettino built his coaching reputation in Spain with Espanyol (Tottenham). ... BJ-League side Saitama Broncos "will not renew" head coach TAKATOSHI ISHIBASHI's contract after a 5-47 season. Ishibashi "had previously served as head coach for the Toyama Grouses, Shiga Lakestars and Shinshu Brave Warriors" (JAPAN TIMES, 5/27). ... The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea named a new sports minister replacing RI JONG MU with KIM YONG HUN (KYODO, 5/27).
Do you have an executive announcement? If so, please send to global@sportsbusinessdaily.com.
