Former All Blacks coach JOHN HART was appointed to the board of Super Rugby side Auckland Blues after New Zealand Rugby bought back a 40% stake in the "struggling" franchise from its private owners. Former Cabinet Minister SAM LOTU-LIGA was also appointed to the Blues board along with NZR board member RICHARD DELLABARCA (REUTERS, 9/19). The German Football League's (DFL) new office in N.Y. will be managed by ARNE REES as EVP/strategy, with a focus on media contacts, and MELANIE FITZGERALD as head of Bundesliga Americas, with responsibilities for brand management, marketing and events. Rees has nearly 20 years of experience in the int'l sport business. Fitzgerald was most recently director of int'l media at Major League Soccer (DFL). ... AMAJU PINNICK is the first person to win a second consecutive four-year term as president of the Nigeria Football Federation. The 44-year-old beat challenges from former President AMINU MAIGARI, TAIWO OGUNJOBI and CHINEDU OKOYE. Pinnick, the first VP of the Confederation of African Football, secured 34 votes from the 44 available in a first round of voting (BBC, 9/20). ... Lagardère Plus named DOMINIC CURRAN EVP. Curran, who will be part of the Lagardère Plus senior leadership team in the U.S., will oversee the team and client relationships in the agency's N.Y. office (Lagardère Plus).
COACHES/MANGERS: Argentine Superliga side San Martín de Tucumán coach RUBÉN DARÍO FORESTELLO was sacked five games into the current season. He is the fourth coach in the league to be sacked this season (LOS ANDES, 9/17). ... Japan national rugby league team coach and former All Black JAMIE JOSEPH will stand down as head coach of Super Rugby side Sunwolves ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Assistant coach TONY BROWN "will be in the frame to succeed" Joseph (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 9/20). ... Former int'l footballers PIERRE FRANCOIS AUBAMEYANG and DANIEL COUSIN were unveiled as co-coaches of Gabon by the Gabon FA (FEGAFOOT). They are both expected to fill the role made vacant following the departure of Spanish coach JOSÉ ANTONIO CAMACHO at the end of his contract (BBC, 9/20).
