Aug 28 (Reuters) - Walgreens on Thursday named retail

veteran Mike Motz as chief executive after the U.S. pharmacy

chain was taken private by Sycamore Partners, marking a fresh

chapter for the company that has been struggling to keep pace

with rivals.

The management shake-up follows the completion of Sycamore's

acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA ) for roughly $10 billion.

Motz, who was previously CEO of Staples' U.S. retail

business, succeeds Tim Wentworth and will steer the pharmacy

operator as it shifts its focus back to core retail and pharmacy

operations, Walgreens said.