Executive Transactions

Former Korea PM CHUNG UN-CHAN was "designated as the head of the country's professional baseball league." The Korea Baseball Organization held a board of directors' meeting this week where it chose Chung as the league's 22nd commissioner, succeeding KOO BON-NEUNG (KOREA TIMES, 11/30). ... League Two side Swindon Town defender BEN PURKISS was elected chair of the Professional Footballers' Association. Purkiss, 33, takes over from RITCHIE HUMPHREYS (BBC, 11/29).

COACHES/MANAGERS: SAM ALLARDYCE signed an 18-month deal to become EPL side Everton's manager. The 63-year-old former England manager is the permanent successor to RONALD KOEMAN, who was sacked in October with the club 18th in the league. Allardyce has been "out of work" since leaving Crystal Palace in May (BBC, 11/30). ... Struggling La Liga side Las Palmas sacked coach PAKO AYESTARÁN on Thursday "following a run of seven defeats in nine games in all competitions," parting ways with its second manager of the season (REUTERS, 11/30).