Former FA of Ireland Operations Dir PETER SHERRARD was appointed as CEO of the Olympic Council of Ireland. He will "take up the post in May" and succeed STEPHEN MARTIN. Sherrard's responsibilities for the FAI included int'l team operations and match operation and organized team preparations at Euro 2016 (IRISH TIMES, 2/8). ... League Championship side Nottingham Forest confirmed the appointment of LUKE DOWLING as its sporting director. The former Watford sporting director was a junior at Tottenham and "had a spell at Reading before injury ended his career" (BBC, 2/8). ... A week after being appointed as STEWART REGAN's interim replacement as CEO, ANDREW MCKINLAY announced he is leaving the Scottish FA. He was appointed as Scottish Golf's CEO, "filling the gap" left by BLANE DODDS when he decided to "take up a similar post at Tennis Scotland." McKinlay has been with the SFA for six years, most recently serving as COO (SCOTSMAN, 2/8). ... WWE's GEORGE BARRIOS and MICHELLE WILSON were promoted to co-presidents and appointed to the organization's board of directors. They will report to WWE Chair & CEO VINCE MCMAHON. Prior to the promotions, Wilson served as chief revenue & marketing officer while Barrios was chief strategy & financial officer (WWE).
COACHES/MANAGERS: MIKE FLYNN will remain as League Two side Newport County's manager until June '20 after signing a contract extension "on enhanced wages." Flynn took over the club during the '16-17 season (BBC, 2/7). ... Spanish Basketball League (ACB) side Barcelona named SVETISLAV PETIĆ its coach "for the rest of the current season." Petić, who replaces SITO ALONSO, previously coached Barcelona from '02-04 (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 2/8).
