ARIEL HOLAN resigned as coach of Argentine Superliga side Independiente one week after winning the Copa Sudamericana. He announced his decision "in a letter to fans in which he revealed threats he received from barrabravas" (LOS ANDES, 12/20). ... Olympic champion windsurfer TOM ASHLEY was appointed as CEO of Canoe Racing New Zealand. Ashley, who won Gold in Beijing in '08, takes over from MARK WEATHERALL "after four years at the helm." Ashley previously worked as an Olympic program consultant and specialist planning adviser for Yachting New Zealand (STUFF, 12/20). ... Betting industry veteran and FA exec ROGER DEVLIN was appointed as the new chair of bookmaker William Hill. Devlin will join the company as chair designate on Feb. 1, and take over from Chair GARETH DAVIS on April 2 (FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/20). ... The Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Committee confirmed the appointment of ÉTIENNE THOBOIS as CEO of the organizing committee. A French former Olympic athlete, he previously served as finance director of the 2003 IAAF World Championships and as CEO of Rugby World Cup 2007 (Paris 2024).
COACHES/MANAGERS: New Zealand Football Technical Dir ANDREAS HERAF was named coach of the Football Ferns. He was confirmed as the permanent replacement for TONY READINGS, who resigned in November. He will lead the team through the 2019 Women's World Cup, "splitting his time between the two roles" (STUFF, 12/20). ... Colombian first division side Atlético Nacional named JORGE ALMIRÓN its new coach. Almirón's most recent position was as head coach of Argentine Superliga side Lanús (CLARÍN, 12/19).
