PIERRE BUDAR was appointed director of Citroën Racing, succeeding YVES MATTON, who joined FIA as its rally director after having initiated the return of the brand to the World Rally Championship (Groupe PSA). ... SHAMMI RANA was appointed as rapporteur of UNESCO Traditional Sports & Games to promote the organization's mandate on traditional sports and games (UNESCO).
COACHES/MANAGERS: RYAN GIGGS was appointed Wales' manager on a four-year contract. The 44-year-old former ManU winger succeeds CHRIS COLEMAN, who left for League Championship side Sunderland in November. The FA of Wales confirmed the appointment on social media (BBC, 1/15). ... French Pro A team Asvel fired head coach J.D. JACKSON. NBA player and club President TONY PARKER announced his brother, T.J. PARKER, will take over the head coaching duties. Asvel has lost four of its last five Pro A games (Asvel). ... La Liga side Málaga reached an agreement for JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ to lead the team after MÍCHEL was sacked as head coach on Saturday. Málaga has lost "every game since early December" (PA, 1/13). ... League One side Bury Manager CHRIS LUCKETTI was sacked by the club "after just two months and 10 games in charge." Lucketti, 46, succeeded LEE CLARK in November with Bury at the bottom of the table (BBC, 1/15). ... EPL side Stoke City appointed former Aston Villa and Norwich City coach PAUL LAMBERT as manager. The 48-year-old Scot signed a two-and-a-half-year contract after MARK HUGHES was dismissed this month (BBC, 1/15).
