LEE CLAYTON has taken the newly-created role of head of talkSPORT to "oversee the broadcasting of the sports radio station." Lee joins the station having been head of sport at the London Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, where he spent 14 years. His role at talkSPORT will include responsibility for all output on the main talkSPORT channel and all live sport on talkSPORT2 (RADIO TODAY, 1/8). ... Former New Zealand int'l footballer REBECCA SMITH was named Copa90’s first global exec director of the women’s game. The former FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year nominee will be tasked with integrating women’s football across the whole of Copa90’s business (Copa90). ... WADA announced changes to its management team, with CATHERINE MACLEAN appointed director of education & communications and TOM MAY joining as director of program development and relations between the National Anti-Doping Organization and Regional Anti-Doping Organization (INSIDE THE GAMES, 1/9).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Former Spanish side Fundación Albacete coach MILAGROS MARTÍNEZ will "take charge" of Japanese amateur club Suzuki Unlimited, becoming the first female coach in the Japanese league (MARCA, 1/9). ... League Championship side Stoke City appointed NATHAN JONES as its new manager after agreeing to a compensation package with League One side Luton Town. The 45-year-old takes over from GARY ROWETT, who was sacked on Tuesday after less than eight months in charge (London GUARDIAN, 1/9).
