Pro14 side Cardiff Blues Chair PETER THOMAS will step down after more than 20 years in the role. The 75-year-old, who played for Cardiff RFC in the '60s, will "remain on the board of directors and write off all of his debts," worth more than £11M ($14.5M). Thomas will take up a new role as life president of the region (BBC, 6/15). ... Premiership Rugby side Gloucester hired ADAM BENSON as its new chief commercial officer. Benson moved to Kingsholm following almost six years at League Championship side Reading. At Reading, he had "overall responsibility for devising and implementing" the commercial and business development strategy for the club (GLOUCESTERSHIRE LIVE, 6/18). ... The Sports Consultancy appointed SIMON LONG in the newly-created role of commercial director. He will focus on securing new work across all areas of the business (SPORT INDUSTRY, 6/20). ... Online retailer Fanatics named BEN ESSER director, omni-channel. He will lead the company's global e-commerce and partner management departments. Esser will be based at Fanatics' new office in Hamburg, Germany (Fanatics).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Hungary hired former footballer MARCO ROSSI to replace Belgian GEORGES LEEKENS as national football team coach. The Italian, 53, signed a two-year deal (REUTERS, 6/19). ... Spanish side Málaga, which was recently relegated to the second division for next season, named JUAN RAMÓN MUÑIZ its coach on a two-year deal (EFE, 6/19). ... Spanish second division side Alcorcón named CRISTÓBAL PARRALO its coach for the '18-19 season. He replaces JULIO VELÁZQUEZ (AS, 6/19).
