BRITNEY SPEARS - SPEARS HIRES TOP MANAGER

BRITNEY SPEARS has reportedly hired her namesake BRITTANY MURPHY's ex-fiance - as her new manager. The Firm boss Jeff Kwatinetz has taken charge of the troubled pop star's career after pop rival Kelly Clarkson dumped the industry bigwig in June (07). Clarkson axed Kwatinetz after her falling out with music mogul Clive Davis went public. The Breakaway singer is now represented by pal Reba MCEntire's manager/husband Narvel Blackstock. Meanwhile, Spears rehired cousin Alli Sims as her assistant last week (ends03Aug07). Sims quit to concentrate on a solo pop career and insiders claim she's helping her relative out until she finds a full-time replacement for sacked sidekick Shannon Funk.