Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves that are shaping the business of sport.
It’s a slightly quieter week than usual for boardroom changes, but one of the biggest stories in football shows no signs of stopping. UEFA’s threat to boycott the next World Cup over FIFA’s plans to sell stakes in its competitions has now been followed by opposition from within FIFA, with senior figures beginning to make their views known…
Carlos Cordeiro quits FIFA advisory role over
Former US Soccer Federation President Carlos Cordeiro has stepped down as senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, becoming the first high-profile FIFA official to step away over the governing body’s proposed private equity venture.
The former Goldman Sachs banker said he could not support plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary that would include interests in the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups.
“Let me be clear. I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” Cordeiro said. “Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away.”
He added that the proposal represented “a bad deal for football” and urged other senior FIFA staff to speak out.
Cordeiro served as president of the US Soccer Federation from 2018 to 2020 before joining FIFA in an advisory role, accompanying Infantino during official visits to the White House.
His departure comes as FIFA faces growing opposition to FFE ahead of a vote by its 211 member associations in September, with several continental confederations and national associations speaking out against the plans.
Follow the latest updates on the proposal in our live blog.
Ranieri returns to Italian football
Claudio Ranieri has returned to Italian football after accepting a senior leadership role with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), replacing Paolo Maldini following his abrupt resignation.
Ranieri, who retired after leaving Roma at the end of the 2024/25 season, was appointed after Maldini resigned less than three weeks into the role.
Reports in Italy said Maldini stepped down after the federation halted Andrea Pirlo‘s proposed appointment as head coach over concerns relating to Pirlo’s commercial relationship with Russian sportsbook operator Fonbet.
The 74-year-old will now oversee Club Italia, the body responsible for coordinating Italy’s national teams, working alongside Roberto Mancini, who has returned for a second spell as head coach of the Azzurri.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò said Ranieri had accepted the position after discussions over the federation’s long-term plans.
“The person I share that vision with is Claudio Ranieri,” Malagò said. “He is the person who will take this very important and delicate role.”
UK Sport adds four new board members
UK Sport has appointed four new board members and extended the term of Rachel Baillache as the organisation prepares for the next phase of its strategy.
Michelle Dite, Charlotte Samuelson, John Steele and Dame Sarah Storey will join the UK Sport Board from 1 August 2026, with Baillache beginning a second four-year term from September.
Dite joins after serving as Operations Director at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where she has helped oversee the delivery of Wimbledon since 2020. She also brings experience from major sporting events including the Rugby League World Cup, MLB London Series and Invictus Games.
Samuelson, currently Chief Operating Officer at PREM Rugby, previously held the same position at World Rugby and has contributed to the delivery of major international rugby events, including the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Steele returns to UK Sport governance after previously serving as its CEO, alongside leadership roles at the Rugby Football Union and Youth Sport Trust.
Storey, Britain’s most successful Paralympian, joins following a career spanning elite sport and broadcasting, including her role as Chair of Lancashire Cricket Club.
The appointments were made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands takes ACC board chair role
Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands has been appointed Chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Board of Directors, with University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel taking the role of vice-chair for the 2026-27 academic year.
The ACC Board of Directors, which is made up of presidents and chancellors from the conference’s 18 member institutions, is responsible for providing strategic oversight of the league.
Sands has served as president of Virginia Tech since 2014 and previously held leadership positions at Purdue University and the University of Hawaii.
Gabel joined Pittsburgh as chancellor and chief executive officer in 2023 after previously serving as president of the University of Minnesota. She will support Sands as vice-chair while remaining part of the ACC’s executive leadership group.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips will continue as the conference’s chief executive officer, working alongside Sands, Gabel and the wider board.
Snapshot Moves
- The Football Association has welcomed Claire Miles to its Board ahead of her appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director from 1 November, replacing retiring board member Kate Tinsley.
- Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia has invested in football technology company Be Your Best, which uses virtual reality and cognitive science to help players develop.
- France has named Zinedine Zidane as head coach, with the former Real Madrid manager replacing Didier Deschamps after his 14-year spell in charge of Les Bleus.
- Newcastle United are set to part ways with manager Eddie Howe after almost five years in charge, with Matthias Jaissle expected to replace him at St James’ Park.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Editor, Louis Thompsett, at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition of Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves that looked at Jurgen Klopp’s first coaching role following his departure from Liverpool in 2024.
