Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has confirmed the club is not currently seeking to replace head coach Eddie Howe, despite a bruising sequence of results that leaves the team sitting 12th in the Premier League.
The Magpies have endured a turbulent campaign, culminating in a humiliating 7-2 defeat away to Barcelona in the Champions League before suffering a damaging 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Sunderland.
That Tyne-Wear derby defeat prompted a furious reaction from sections of the St James’ Park faithful, placing intense scrutiny on the man who ended the club’s seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy.
Hierarchy maintains short-term support
Despite the mounting pressure, the Tyneside outfit’s leadership remains fully behind their current boss for the remainder of the domestic calendar.
I don’t have a stance on his future.
What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt.
Hopkinson revealed that he recently held a lengthy one-on-one meeting with the former Bournemouth manager to discuss the team’s alarming slump.
Eddie is our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we will talk about the future when it’s time.
Summer rebuild looms at St James’ Park
With seven crucial fixtures remaining, the North East club are actively preparing for multiple transfer scenarios alongside sporting director Ross Wilson.
Reinforcing an ageing central core is viewed as a primary objective, while uncertainty continues to surround the long-term status of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The hierarchy remains in a strong negotiating position regarding Tonali, who is expected to have a 12-month contract extension triggered to leave him with four years remaining on his current deal.
However, officials are acutely aware of recent market vulnerabilities following the British-record £125m departure of star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer.
The squad has visibly struggled to replace the Swedish international’s attacking output, despite investing a combined £124m to bring forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to the club.
England have selected Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City as their dedicated training base for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Thomas Tuchel will lead the Three Lions to the United States, Canada and Mexico hoping to secure a first world title since 1966.
The Euro 2024 finalists are expected to log thousands of miles in air travel during the expanded tournament.
To ensure optimal preparation, the Football Association has secured a state-of-the-art facility in the American Midwest.
Midwestern hub for Tuchel’s squad
The Kansas City complex serves as the home for Sporting Kansas City II, the development squad for the Major League Soccer franchise.
The visiting national side will have exclusive access to nine full-size pitches, comprising three Bermuda grass fields and six synthetic surfaces.
The site boasts a spectator capacity of 1,500 and is conveniently located near the team’s designated tournament accommodation at The Inn at Meadowbrook.
A first-class environment
Sporting Kansas City defender Jake Davis spent several years developing at the Swope facility before breaking into the MLS.
The 24-year-old right-back believes the English contingent will be highly impressed by the Midwestern setup.
England will be in for a treat, especially with the people here and the facilities and what we have to offer.
Jake Davis
I’ve been at this club for nine years through all the levels. I’ve been a player at Swope and trained there for multiple years.
What’s special about Swope is it is a first-team facility. It’s tight-knit and close.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy’s Masters title defence could be hindered by recent back injuries and demanding off-course obligations at Augusta.
The five-time major winner returns to Georgia next month to defend the Green Jacket he claimed after a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose.
However, his preparation has been severely disrupted by physical setbacks and tournament withdrawals.
After a promising runner-up finish at February’s Genesis Invitational, the 36-year-old was forced to pull out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back complaint.
Disrupted preparations and recovery
He subsequently managed four rounds at The Players Championship but finished a distant tie for 46th place.
That underwhelming performance prompted a bold decision to take three full weeks away from competitive action ahead of the first major of the year.
“He got disrupted in Florida and it really cost him two tournaments,” McGinley told Sky Sports News.
“Bay Hill, where he was doing OK after two rounds and had to pull out with a back injury, and the following week when he actually did play, but with no preparation.”
Augusta’s unique off-course pressure
Beyond physical concerns, McGinley highlighted the gruelling schedule demanded of a reigning champion at Augusta National.
The traditional Champions Dinner, alongside appearances at the Drive, Chip and Putt finals, add significant extra-curricular strain to the week.
“There are so many obligations you have as a defending champion, not just hosting the dinner on Tuesday night for past champions,” McGinley added.
“So there are a lot of obligations, a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, but I guess nothing like he had last year when he was on the verge of trying to win a Grand Slam.”
Future major opportunities
Despite the daunting build-up, McGinley remains confident that the world number two is still a genuine contender.
Nevertheless, the former European captain suggested that the Northern Irishman’s strongest opportunities to win a major will arrive later in the season.
Ghana have dismissed manager Otto Addo with immediate effect following a series of heavy defeats, acting just 72 days before their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
The departure comes after the West African nation suffered a 2-1 friendly defeat against Germany in Stuttgart on Monday, compounding a 5-1 thrashing by Austria last Friday.
The Black Stars are currently enduring a dismal run of form, having lost their last four consecutive matches across all competitions.
The Ghana Football Association will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course.
Ghana Football Association
World Cup preparations thrown into disarray
This sudden managerial change leaves the squad in a highly precarious position ahead of a challenging group stage at the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
They are scheduled to open their campaign against Panama on 18 June, before facing England and Croatia in subsequent pivotal fixtures.
Despite boasting top-tier attacking talent like Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudus, the national side also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The end of a disappointing second spell
The 50-year-old tactician only began his second stint in charge of the national setup in March 2024.
Born in Germany, the former midfielder spent his entire playing career in European football while also earning 15 international caps for the country he eventually managed.
Following Monday’s defeat, governing body officials released a brief statement confirming they had officially parted ways with the manager.
The world’s leading female amateur golfers have gathered in Georgia this week to compete for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur title ahead of The Masters.
Forty-eight of the top 50 players in the global rankings are scheduled to feature in the elite 72-player field.
Amateur world number one Kiara Romero headlines an international line-up representing 23 different countries.
Nearly half of the participants will be making their maiden appearance at the highly anticipated event.
Tournament format and prestigious venues
The opening 36 holes will be contested across the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday.
Following the initial two rounds, the entire field is invited to play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday.
Only the top 30 competitors and ties will advance to Saturday’s final round, which takes place on the iconic course that hosts The Masters.
If players are tied after 54 holes, the champion will be crowned via a sudden-death playoff.
International contenders and past champions
Last year’s runner-up Asterisk Talley enters the tournament as a strong favourite after an impressive showing on the professional circuit at the Ford Championship.
Patience Rhodes is the sole English representative in the 2026 edition, looking to follow in the footsteps of previous British winner Lottie Woad.
European interest is also bolstered by Ireland’s Beth Coulter and Spain’s Paula Martin Sampedro, who previously secured a top-10 finish at the AIG Women’s Open.
Former champions Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho have successfully transitioned to the LPGA Tour since lifting this prestigious trophy.
The tournament was launched with the intention of having a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game.
Rigorous qualification pathways
Entry to the esteemed competition is strictly limited to players who meet stringent criteria and maintain their amateur status.
Reigning champions of major amateur tournaments, including the US Women’s Amateur and the Women’s Amateur Championship, receive automatic invitations.
The top 30 American players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at the close of 2025 were also guaranteed a place.
A further 30 spots are allocated to the highest-ranked international players, with special committee selections completing the line-up.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes Luka Doncic should be named the NBA Most Valuable Player if the team continues their stellar late-season form.
The Western Conference franchise have surged to third in the standings following a remarkable run of 24 victories in their last 34 games.
At the heart of that resurgence is their marquee guard, who has been delivering astonishing statistical performances since late February.
Redick insists the league’s leading scorer is the undisputed catalyst for the Californian team’s current success.
“He’s the engine that’s driving all of our winning.”
“Certainly, we have a ton of guys starring in their roles, but he’s the driver.”
Superstar hits peak physical condition
The dynamic playmaker has averaged an incredible 36.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists during a 14-2 stretch for the Lakers.
His head coach praised this improved conditioning, noting his fitness levels are at their highest point since his early years in the league.
Despite his individual brilliance, the 27-year-old missed Monday’s fixture against the Washington Wizards through suspension after accumulating 16 technical fouls.
The elite creator has finished in the top eight of MVP voting for five consecutive seasons but has never claimed the prestigious award.
Frustration mounts over award recognition
Last season, the standout guard finished third in the ballot behind Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic.
Speaking recently about his candidacy, the prolific point-getter expressed bewilderment at his standing in the media narratives.
“The better I play, the more I go down in rankings.”
“So, I don’t know what more I can do.”
He currently leads the association with a career-best 33.7 points per night and ranks first for both 40-point and 30-point performances this campaign.
While traditionally known for his offensive wizardry, the versatile star is also contributing heavily on the defensive end, ranking sixth overall in steals.
Top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina have reached the Women’s Final Four for the second consecutive year to set up a historic showdown in Phoenix.
The powerhouse quartet arrived at the 2026 NCAA tournament widely regarded as the four best teams in the country.
They have comfortably lived up to those lofty expectations by amassing a remarkable combined record of 143 victories and just seven defeats.
This campaign marks only the second time in women’s NCAA tournament history that all four semi-finalists have repeated their runs from the previous year.
Dominant quartet make history
It is also just the fifth occasion that all four number one seeds have successfully navigated the entire bracket.
The closest contest any of the four teams faced during their latest tournament runs was a 12-point victory for Connecticut over Notre Dame in the Elite Eight.
That hard-fought win extended a staggering 54-game winning streak for Geno Auriemma’s side.
Huskies rely on staunch defence
The defending champions secured their Final Four spot despite their veteran head coach voicing concerns about the offensive setup at the regional venues.
A usually prolific three-point shooting team, the Huskies converted just 10 of their 37 attempts from beyond the arc in Fort Worth.
However, an extraordinary defensive effort compensated for their shooting struggles as they conceded a mere 94 points across two regional fixtures.
Standout forward Sarah Strong recorded 15 combined blocks and steals during those match-ups to cement her status as the top-rated defensive player in the collegiate game.
Strong also contributed 21 crucial points against the Fighting Irish to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
Freshman Blanca Quiñonez provided an unexpected early spark during the regional finals, scoring 12 of her 20 points in the first quarter.
Rematches await in Phoenix
Friday’s highly anticipated semi-final between Connecticut and South Carolina will serve as a direct rematch of the 2025 national championship game.
Meanwhile, the other side of the draw sees the Longhorns face the Bruins in a repeat of their early-season clash in Las Vegas.
Texas previously defeated their Californian rivals in that November encounter, setting the stage for an intriguing battle to reach the title decider.
Victor Wembanyama recorded the fastest double-double in NBA history and scored a season-high 41 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Chicago Bulls 129-114 on Monday night.
The French phenom secured 10 points and 10 rebounds in just eight minutes and 31 seconds of court time.
That blistering pace shattered the previous record set by Jim Washington of the St. Louis Hawks in March 1966.
The reigning Rookie of the Year finished the game shooting 17 for 27 from the field, capping his dominant performance with a driving, one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter.
Spurs extend winning streak
San Antonio’s commanding victory marks their ninth consecutive win of a highly impressive campaign.
Stephon Castle provided crucial support for the surging hosts, contributing 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Texas franchise demonstrated their remarkable depth by having six different players reach double figures in scoring while building a massive 29-point lead in the third quarter.
Jones returns as Bulls struggle
Chicago point guard Tre Jones registered 23 points in his first return to San Antonio since being traded in the deal that brought De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs.
Despite additional scoring contributions from Leonard Miller and Collin Sexton, the struggling visitors suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
The Bulls arrived for the matchup facing serious off-court turbulence, taking to the floor merely two hours after waiving injured guard Jaden Ivey for conduct detrimental to the team.
A sluggish start briefly saw San Antonio trail early, prompting an angry timeout from head coach Mitch Johnson just 71 seconds into the contest.
However, the towering centre’s historic early barrage quickly sparked a decisive 20-13 run to permanently seize control of the game.