Jose Mourinho is set to return for a second spell as Real Madrid manager, with a deal reportedly having been agreed for months following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims the groundwork for the 61-year-old’s reappointment has been firmly in place since January.

Club president Florentino Perez is understood to have initiated talks with agent Jorge Mendes immediately after Alonso was sacked.

Perez seeks authority to fix ‘immature’ squad

Alonso departed the Bernabeu after just eight months in charge following a Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona.

Alvaro Arbeloa took interim charge, but the Spanish giants subsequently crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage against Paris St-Germain.

Their domestic campaign has also faltered heavily during a turbulent season.

Arch-rivals Barcelona secured their 29th La Liga title with a 2-0 victory over Los Blancos at the Nou Camp last weekend.

Speaking on a recent podcast, Balague detailed the timeline behind the impending managerial shift.

“Since January, things have been put in place for Jose Mourinho to become the next manager of Real Madrid, because Florentino Perez feels that he needs another alpha male to sort out that immature changing room.”

Mbappe unrest highlights deepening crisis

The returning Portuguese tactician will inherit a fractured dressing room battling severe fan discontent.

Despite scoring 41 goals in 42 appearances this season, Kylian Mbappe was greeted by a chorus of boos during Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo.

The French World Cup winner had just returned from a hamstring injury.

He had drawn heavy criticism from supporters for taking a holiday to Sardinia during his rehabilitation process.

Tensions escalated further when the 27-year-old sparked controversy in a post-match interview.

The prolific forward publicly claimed he has been relegated to the role of fourth-choice striker at the club.

Managing these high-profile egos will be the immediate priority for the two-time Champions League-winning coach when he officially steps back into the technical area.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says he is prepared to be “hated and loved” as England look to secure their first World Cup triumph in 60 years.

The 27-year-old is expected to play a crucial role for the national team this summer under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Three Lions will begin their latest pursuit of global glory against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on June 17.

Navigating immense tournament pressure

Speaking to British Vogue, the 72-cap international admitted that handling the extreme pressure of a major tournament remains his biggest challenge.

“One minute you’re going to be hated, one minute you’re going to be loved,” he explained.

“It always changes in football, you’ve just got to take it with a pinch of salt.”

Squad unity overriding club rivalries

England’s previous ‘Golden Generation’ famously struggled to replicate their formidable club form on the world stage.

Former stars have frequently admitted that intense domestic rivalries prevented them from bonding effectively while on international duty.

“You obviously hear about the older generation talking about how they didn’t get on and how they couldn’t connect and play together,” noted the midfield enforcer.

“But I think with us, that’s why we’ve done so well over the last few years, because we’re close on and off the pitch.”

Chasing a historic domestic double

Before focusing on his international commitments, the dynamic midfielder has an opportunity to secure historic silverware with his club.

The Gunners are currently just three matches away from claiming a remarkable Premier League and Champions League double.

Victories in their final league fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace will guarantee the north London side their first top-flight title since 2004.

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will race a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo at this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours, driving record ticket sales at the historic German circuit.

The Dutchman has swapped his usual Red Bull machinery for the gruelling endurance event starting on Saturday.

His unprecedented participation in one of motorsport’s most prestigious non-F1 events has resulted in a historic first-ever sell-out for weekend tickets.

Rivals relish the ultimate challenge

Fellow GT drivers are eagerly anticipating the chance to share the fearsome Nordschleife track with the current dominant force in global motorsport.

Local specialist Nico Menzel, affectionately known as the ‘Kid of the Ring’, grew up near the circuit and welcomes the intense spotlight.

“Max is a racer – he simply loves racing, and that connects all of us.”

“I don’t think anyone doubts that Max is probably the best driver in the world, maybe even the best we’ve ever seen. To be able to race against him, while he brings so much passion and attracts huge attention to the sport, is incredibly positive.”

Mastering the Green Hell

The 25-kilometre Nordschleife poses an entirely different challenge to modern grand prix circuits.

Endurance racing requires navigating vast grids of mixed-class cars, unpredictable mountain weather, and treacherous night-time driving.

Despite his elite pedigree, the championship leader was forced to secure his qualification on Thursday after earlier disqualifications and mechanical failures disrupted his preparation.

The 26-year-old successfully completed two timed afternoon laps, impressively clocking the third-fastest overall time.

Preparing for the darkness

Track time is crucial ahead of a full-day marathon, and the former karting prodigy utilised later sessions to gain valuable night driving experience.

Heavy rain swept across the region during Thursday evening, presenting perfectly treacherous practice conditions for his planned overnight stints.

While the broader sporting world focuses on the superstar’s presence, competitors remain entirely focused on victory.

“Competing against an active Formula 1 world champion is something special. However, when it comes to racing, it doesn’t matter what car is in front or behind me,” Menzel added.

“If it’s a blue-and-red Mercedes, I’ll try to catch and overtake him. And if he gets big in my mirrors, I’ll try to keep him behind me.”

Champion jockeys Jose and Irad Ortiz are facing allegations of participating in illegal cockfighting events in Puerto Rico just days before the Preakness Stakes.

The highly successful siblings have been linked to the outlawed blood sport following a media investigation into social media posts and videos.

This controversy emerges on the eve of the second leg of the US Triple Crown at Laurel Park.

Both riders are scheduled to compete this Saturday, with Jose partnering Chip Honcho and Irad taking the reins on Talkin.

Animal rights activists demand investigation

Footage recently shared online allegedly shows the prominent horsemen collecting cash from inside a fighting ring.

Cockfighting has been strictly prohibited in the United States and its territories since 2019.

Despite the federal ban, the practice remains a deeply ingrained cultural tradition on the Caribbean island.

Campaigners are now urging racing authorities to intervene and strip the multimillion-pound earners of their eligibility for the prestigious Eclipse Awards.

Facebook posts highlight tournament participation

A promotional post from last December explicitly named the celebrated track stars as participants in a major tournament.

“Brothers Irad and José Luis Ortiz accepted the challenge of competing in the tournament of champions known as the ‘Gran Campeón Caribeño’, with a single goal: to attempt to be crowned the undisputed champions.”

“Although they distinguish themselves in the world of international horse racing, they also harbor a passion for fighting cocks.”

The event organisers further stated it was an absolute honour to host the world-renowned equestrian duo at their coliseum.

Unmatched success on the racecourse

The timing of these claims casts a shadow over an incredibly lucrative period for the celebrated Puerto Rican natives.

Jose recently guided Golden Tempo to victory in the Kentucky Derby, narrowly defeating Renegade, who was ridden by his older sibling.

Irad has firmly established himself as the leading US jockey by both wins and earnings over the past four consecutive years.

Together, the formidable partnership has accumulated more than £520m in total prize money throughout their distinguished careers.

Neither rider nor their official representatives have publicly responded to the ongoing allegations.

The Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority currently holds no regulatory jurisdiction over events occurring in Puerto Rico.

The Las Vegas Aces have commenced their 2026 WNBA season aiming to secure a record-equalling fourth championship following their ring ceremony on Saturday.

A’ja Wilson insists the reigning champions have already moved on from last season’s triumphs and are fully focused on making history.

The Nevada-based franchise claimed their third title in four years after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals.

Winning a fourth crown would tie them with the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and Houston Comets as the most successful teams in league history.

Early season wake-up call

Despite the pre-match celebrations, the defending champions suffered a heavy 99-66 defeat to the Mercury in their opening fixture.

However, the four-time MVP viewed the loss as a necessary reminder of the persistent target on their backs.

“Making history is motivation,” said Wilson, reflecting on the opportunity to cement a sporting dynasty.

“We know how we can be great, and we know it’s going to take all of us.”

The title holders have since responded strongly.

They secured back-to-back victories before heading on an East Coast road trip to face Connecticut and Atlanta.

Integrating new faces into a proven core

Head coach Becky Hammon faces the challenge of blending new arrivals with an established, championship-winning foundation.

The core trio of Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray remains intact following their dominant run across recent seasons.

“We’re still obviously very much in teaching mode, getting our system in place,” Hammon explained.

Key additions to the roster include highly-rated scorer Chennedy Carter.

The former number four overall draft pick returns to the league after missing the 2023 and 2025 campaigns.

“I always thought I would be an Ace one day,” Carter admitted.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has named injured striker Romelu Lukaku in his 26-man World Cup squad on Friday, despite the forward playing just one hour of competitive football this season.

The 33-year-old has spent the past two months rehabilitating a hamstring problem in his homeland.

At club level, the Napoli frontman has been restricted to just seven substitute appearances this campaign, finding the net only once in February.

Despite the severe lack of match fitness, Garcia has taken a significant gamble on his nation’s all-time leading marksman.

The powerful forward boasts an exceptional international record, having scored 89 goals in 124 caps for his country.

Fernandez-Pardo earns call-up

To provide cover in the attacking department, Garcia has drafted in promising 21-year-old Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

The Lille attacker, who was born in Brussels, has committed his international future to Belgium after previously declining an under-20 call-up from Spain.

His impressive club form earned him a place in the squad ahead of Juventus forward Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular minutes in Italy.

Courtois returns to boost defence

At the other end of the pitch, the timely return of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has provided a major defensive boost.

His recovery from injury dispels earlier speculation that the national team might need to travel with four goalkeepers.

There are lingering fitness concerns over Sporting Lisbon defender Zeno Debast, who recently picked up a training knock.

However, Debast remains in the selection alongside experienced figures such as Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, who are set for their fourth successive tournament appearance.

The Red Devils will be relying heavily on their veteran core to navigate Group G successfully, having last seen their talismanic striker in international action during a 4-3 victory over Wales last June.

Belgium will begin their World Cup campaign against a group consisting of Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

Belgium squad in full

Great Britain’s Amy Hunt and Ben Pattison will join global athletics stars, including Armand Duplantis, as the 2026 Diamond League season begins in China this Saturday.

The prestigious 15-meeting track and field circuit was originally scheduled to commence in Doha but will now launch in Shanghai/Keqiao following regional postponements.

World 200m silver medallist Hunt faces a formidable sprint lineup featuring Jamaican icon Shericka Jackson and American champion Sha’Carri Richardson.

British interest extends across multiple disciplines, with 800m runner Pattison and discus thrower Lawrence Okoye among the travelling home nations contingent.

Pattison targets fresh silverware

Pattison approaches the new campaign fully fit after a difficult period plagued by illness and a stress fracture that previously hampered his Olympic ambitions.

The 24-year-old middle-distance specialist is now heavily focused on securing podium finishes at the upcoming European and Commonwealth competitions in Birmingham and Glasgow.

“The plan is to do both and my goal is to get two medals.”

The English runner announced himself on the global stage with a surprise bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

Despite moving behind only Sebastian Coe on the British all-time list shortly after, he admits frustration at still being defined by that breakthrough Hungarian performance.

“I don’t like the fact that people still reference Budapest.”
“To achieve that by the age of 21, I’d like to think by the end of my career I’ll definitely be able to get more medals – and that’s what really gets me going.”

Global icons set for Shanghai

Swedish pole vault sensation Duplantis and Kenyan distance great Faith Kipyegon provide the headline star power for the opening weekend.

They are joined by Botswanan sprinting prodigy Letsile Tebogo as the elite competitors prepare for a long season culminating in September’s two-day Brussels finale.

Action from the Shanghai/Keqiao meeting will be broadcast live on BBC Two from 12:00 BST this Saturday.

Key schedule events (BST)

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez insists Cristiano Ronaldo will be judged entirely on merit as the 41-year-old targets an unprecedented sixth World Cup appearance.

The legendary forward is aiming to secure a place in the squad for the 2026 tournament to continue his record-breaking international career.

However, his national team boss has made it clear that past achievements will not guarantee a spot on the plane.

Managing the player, not the icon

“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure,” Martinez told Reuters.

The Portugal coach stated that the veteran captain is evaluated on the exact same rigorous standards as the rest of the squad.

Selection decisions will be driven purely by current form and training performances rather than historical prestige.

“Age is only a number,” Martinez added.

“Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and you make the decisions for the next day.”

Embracing a modern tactical approach

Debate in Portugal has shifted towards how best to utilise the international record goalscorer in closely contested tournament matches.

Martinez believes the introduction of five substitutions has fundamentally changed how managers view their matchday squads.

“It’s almost like we’ve got a starting team and a finishing team,” he explained.

The Spanish tactician noted that there is no longer a strict distinction between those who start and finish, claiming his star forward has always accepted his given role.

Form and merit dictate selection

Questions regarding the attacker’s willingness to accept reduced minutes have lingered since he was controversially benched against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup.

Martinez refused to compare different tournaments, stressing that footballing context is in a constant state of evolution.

“All the players are in the same space in the national team where when they play well, when they execute their role well to help the team to win, they have a better chance to play than when they don’t do it,” he affirmed.

The forward has backed up his manager’s pragmatic approach with an outstanding return of 25 goals in 30 appearances under the current regime.

That prolific strike rate represents a superior goals-per-game ratio than he achieved under any previous national team coach.