8 h. ago What to know about Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry's intervention in LSU football

Louisiana State University lost its football coach and athletic director amid criticism from Gov. Jeff Landry

Politics

3 d. ago Football coach admits using ChatGPT to help decide her tactics

Laura Harvey told a podcast that she has changed formations this season following advice from the AI chatbot

Sport

4 d. ago From bus driver to top coach: all aboard for Manolo González’s Espanyol adventure

The 46-year-old didn’t fulfil his potential as a player but as manager has climbed from the bottom of the pyramid to fifth in La LigaThe driver of the Tusa bus went from Badalona to Barcelona and regional catalana to primera división, stopping everywhere in between. On Thursday night, Atlètic Lleida host Espanyol in the Copa del Rey first round. Lleida play in Spain’s semi-pro fourth tier, a world away from their opponents, who celebrated their 125th anniversary last Saturday by climbing into a Champions League place, but there will be something familiar about the man sitting on the visitors’ bench, if he ever actually sits. “I know Manolo because we’ve faced each other at our level,” Lleida’s coach, Gabri García says. “We come from the depths.”Depths is right, but Manolo González wouldn’t change a thing, proud to have been in García’s place. A symbol of some day, he reached the top flight via the long route, having coached at every age group and every level in Spain, from the regio...

Transport

5 d. ago ‘Why do we have to wait?’: Tony Popovic puts no limits on what Socceroos can achieve | Joey Lynch

The Australia head coach insists the time is now for the emerging side to rise above expectations and ‘go very far’ at a men’s World CupWhen Tony Popovic was finally able to assemble his first Socceroos squad, the new coach laid out a series of expectations. Most were clear and to the point – ideal given the upheaval surrounding his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to earn, or continue to earn, that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says LSU athletic director won't pick the Tigers' next coach

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says he intends to prevent LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward from hiring the Tigers’ next football coach

Politics

5 d. ago Landry says LSU athletics director won’t pick next football coach after $95m fiasco

Landry bars AD Woodward from LSU coach searchGovernor rips $95m Brian Kelly deal, $54m buyoutCalls for accountability and ‘no more blank checks’Louisiana governor Jeff Landry has said he will not allow LSU athletics director Scott Woodward to choose the university’s next football coach, saying he would “let President Trump pick it before I let him do it” after what he called a series of reckless contracts that have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.The governor’s remarks came days after LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly, who was lured from Notre Dame less than four years ago on a 10-year, $95m deal that has now imploded. Kelly’s dismissal followed a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M that dropped the Tigers to 5-3 and capped a collapse from early-season title hopes to frustration. Continue reading...

Sport

6 d. ago Familiar embrace of Celtic must tempt Ange Postecoglou but return would be a mistake | John Duerden

The Australian coach’s legacy in Scotland is best left untouched while he needs a period of reflection – not to take the next job that comes alongIt is fair to say that Ange Postecoglou had a hard time during his 40-day stint at Nottingham Forest, but there is perhaps a more difficult test on the way. Being out of work means that his name is automatically going to be linked with available coaching jobs in Europe. It’s a nice problem to have, especially as the northern winter approaches and axes start to fall. There are few available coaches whose fingerprints are still on a major European trophy and who also have recent and major Premier League experience.There have already been changes in England’s top tier with Forest being the main driver, firing Nuno Espírito Santo who then went on to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United, then bringing in Postecoglou and then replacing him with Sean Dyche. In the coming weeks and months, more will follow. There are lots of skill sets that a ...

Politics

6 d. ago $54m to walk: getting fired as a college football coach is a booming industry

Brian Kelly’s departure from LSU is just the latest in a series of big money firings. It’s also a jarring state of affairs for many struggling fansAt a time when millions are at risk of going hungry and losing their medical insurance benefits, struggling Americans can at least take solace in knowing that the nation’s college football coaches are doing just fine – especially Brian Kelly.On Sunday LSU relieved Kelly of his coaching duties after his Tigers suffered a resounding home loss to Texas A&M that dropped them out of the AP’s ranking of college football’s top 25 teams. (This is after LSU was ranked as high as third in September and firmly in the top 10 for most of the season.) Kelly, who was in the fourth year of a decade-long contract worth about $100m, will be going home with more than just a box full of purple and gold office trinkets. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Bend It Like Beckham was a classic soccer movie – with one very worrying relationship

The celebrated film largely still holds up and inspires, But, with a sequel in the works, its handling of a player/coach dynamic shows how times have changed In the proposed upcoming sequel to the “feel good”, “uplifting” film Bend It Like Beckham (one of the Guardian’s best movies about football), a leading character has been banned from the game for life. At least that’s what could, and probably should be revealed, preferably as early as possible.Seem dramatic? It isn’t. Though Bend It Like Beckham brilliantly tackles issues around racism, gender norms, homophobia, culture, immigration, and feminism with an endearing comedic twist, a core point of the plot rests on an adult coach pursuing a romantic relationship with a teenage player. In 2025, after multiple high-profile instances of inappropriate player/coach relationships have been reported in women’s soccer, and after the harm inherent in those relationships has been exposed, the normalization of one in a celebrated film is har...

Politics

1 week ago Nottingham Forest confirm Sean Dyche as third head coach of chaotic season

Former Everton manager brought in on contract to 2027Dyche will be in dugout against Porto on ThursdayNottingham Forest have appointed Sean Dyche as their third head coach of a tumultuous season. The former Everton and Burnley manager will hope to stabilise the club after the winless 40-day reign of Ange Postecoglou and, before that, the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo.The Fulham manager, Marco Silva, and the former Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini were also considered but Forest opted for the experience of Dyche. He has signed a contract to 2027. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Arsenal's 'extraordinary' addition singled out by Mikel Arteta before Atletico Madrid clash

Arsenal have yet to concede in this season's Champions League and Mikel Arteta's side are due to welcome Atletico Madrid to North London in their third league phase game

Politics

2 w. ago Graham Potter takes Sweden job on short deal with World Cup target

Potter will take charge of final two qualifiersSweden could then be part of March’s playoffsGraham Potter has been appointed as Sweden’s head coach on a short-term deal with the goal of qualifying for the World Cup. The 50-year-old, sacked by West Ham less than a month ago, will take charge of the final two qualifiers next month and his contract will be extended to cover the playoffs and next summer’s tournament should the team get there.Sweden are bottom of their qualifying group with one point from four games and play in Switzerland on 15 November then at home to Slovenia three days later. They could reach the playoffs even if they do not finish second because they won Nations League group C1. The 12 qualifying group runners-up will be joined by the four best-ranked Nations League section winners in March’s playoffs. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Graham Potter appointed Sweden head coach after West Ham sacking

Graham Potter has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sweden national team.

Politics

2 w. ago Nottingham Forest close to appointing Sean Dyche as head coach

54-year-old poised to replace Ange PostecoglouMarco Silva and Roberto Mancini also considered for roleNottingham Forest are close to appointing Sean Dyche as their third head coach of the season. The former Everton manager is poised to replace Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked after 40 days in charge.Evangelos Marinakis wanted to reunite with Marco Silva, with whom he had worked at Olympiakos, but Silva’s reluctance to leave Fulham during the season and his £13m release clause made the move difficult. The former Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini was also under consideration and was spoken to by Forest but Dyche became the focus. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Ange Postecoglou’s reputation has taken a hit that only time and the right move can restore

The Australian will have to prove himself all over again after back-to-back Premier League dismissals leave a stain on his CVAnge Postecoglou knows a strong reputation can be as valuable as results. The Australian is quick to defend his record when his coaching capabilities, successes or failures are called into question. To call on his experience when he feels like he is being disrespected or dismissed for learning the ropes in a football outpost. To turn to the silverware he has collected when there is a suggestion that he is a visitor, an impostor or a charlatan who somehow duped his way into the major leagues.But a new record – the shortest stint as a permanent manager of a Premier League club – is one that will need no reminder. Being sacked just 40 days into his Nottingham Forest reign will remain a stain on Postecoglou’s CV long after he leaves England. Being axed from two Premier League clubs within little more than four months is a blemish that could be even harder to remov...

Events

2 w. ago How Oliver Glasner transformed Crystal Palace as FA Cup winners aim to scale new heights

One key statistic highlights just how far the Eagles have come under highly-rated boss

Politics

3 w. ago Penn State fire James Franklin after disastrous collapse – and with coach owed nearly $50m

Preseason No 2 team have suffered series of lossesCoach’s contract was guaranteed through 2031James Franklin is out at Penn State. The school fired their longtime head coach on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern all but ended whatever remote chance the preseason No 2 team had of reaching the College Football Playoff.Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October amid a string of losses, each one more stinging than the last. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Coach 'devastated' as Cardiff City star suffers 'serious' injury in training incident

The loan striker has suffered another setback and this time it is deemed "serious"

Events

3 w. ago Celtic fan killed after being hit my multiple cars after he walked on to M6 motorway

A CELTIC fan died after being struck by several cars after walking on the M6 while drunk, an inquest heard. John Burns, 22, boarded a coach full of football fans heading to Blackburn, Lancashire in September last year. The dad-of-one had been at the Hoops' clash against Hearts at Parkhead. John boarded the England-bound coach...

Events

3 w. ago ‘Sensationally damning’: Malaysian football rocked by naturalisation scandal

Seven national-team players, including one from La Liga, have been suspended by Fifa over claims of cheatingThere hasn’t been that much to smile about for Malaysian football fans in recent years, so there was real jubilation among the 60,000 home spectators upon the final whistle in Kuala Lumpur on on 10 June. A 4-0 win over regional rivals Vietnam not just kept the Harimau Malaya (Malayan Tigers) on course for the 2027 Asian Cup but well and truly confirmed they were dining back at the top table in southeast Asia. Four months later, they are still the talk of the region of 650 million people, but not in a good way.The story starts, as it does increasingly in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) football these days, with naturalisation. In January, the crown prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim football club, and former president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), wrote on social media: “We have identified 6-7 heritage p...

Politics