Digital football platform Dugout named JONO YATES as its first creative director. He will drive the content with clubs and players as well as grow Dugout's social media presence. Yates previously was creative lead at LADbible for two years and was the head of the global influencer program at Red Bull (Dugout). ... Tough Mudder named digital media firm Spotlight co-Founder & CEO RICH ABEND VP/global partnerships (THE DAILY). ... Leaders appointed DAVID CUSHNAN to lead the content arm of its expanding int'l summit division. As head of content, Cushnan will shape the content strategy for Leaders' flagship Sports Business Summit Series, and will play a role in development of programming and insight for the Leaders Performance Institute. He joins from Nielsen Entertainment, where he served as editorial director. Leaders is owned and operated by American City Business Journals (Leaders).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Former Ivory Coast Manager SABRI LAMOUCHI was named the new coach of Ligue 1 side Rennes. He replaced CHRISTIAN GOURCUFF. Lamouchi signed a two-year contract with a one-year option (L’ÉQUIPE, 11/8). ... Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande reappointed FABIO CANNAVARO as head coach. Former Italy int'l Cannavaro returns to Evergrande as a replacement for LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (OMNISPORT, 11/9). ... DICK ADVOCAAT confirmed he will "leave the role of Netherlands head coach when his contract expires after the friendly matches against Scotland and Romania." Advocaat, 70, took charge of his country for a third time in May after the sacking of DANNY BLIND (GOAL, 11/9). ... MLS side Montreal Impact hired former Aston Villa Manager RÉMI GARDE as head coach. Garde, 51, managed Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais from '11-14 (GOAL, 11/8).