Former Rugby Football Union CEO IAN RITCHIE was named Premiership Rugby's new chair. Ritchie, who oversaw the appointment of England head coach EDDIE JONES in '15, "stepped down from his role after five years with the RFU in May." He will replace Newcastle Falcons Owner SEMORE KURDI as chair in April for a two-year term (BBC, 3/22). ... Premiership Rugby side London Irish Dir of Rugby NICK KENNEDY left the club following a "shake-up" of its coaching staff. The club, which is "on the brink" of relegation, appointed DECLAN KIDNEY and LES KISS as technical consultant and head coach, respectively, earlier this month (BBC, 3/22). ... Online sports booking platform MyLocalPitch signed former Chelsea player GRAEME LE SAUX as a non-exec director. This signing follows the business' private fundraising, which has seen MyLocalPitch become the first London-based sports tech business to raise more than £1M ($1.4M) (BDAILY, 3/22).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Ascenso MX side Juárez sacked coach MIGUEL DE JESÚS FUENTES, who will be replaced on an interim basis by TOMÁS CAMPOS. Under Fuentes, the club recorded three wins, six draws and four losses this season, and is in 12th place (LA AFICIÓN, 3/20). ... KARL ROBINSON parted company with League One side Charlton Athletic after 16 months as manager. Robinson, who took charge in Nov. '16, left the club ninth in the table. Assistant Manager LEE BOWYER and player-coach JOHNNIE JACKSON have been "placed in caretaker charge" (BBC, 3/22).
