The Vancouver Canucks have appointed Ryan Johnson as their new general manager and named club legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin as co-presidents of hockey operations on Thursday following a dismal season.
The former development coach takes over from Patrik Allvin, who was dismissed in April after the Canadian franchise finished with the worst record in the NHL.
Meanwhile, the identical twins will succeed Jim Rutherford, with the 77-year-old stepping down post-draft to become an adviser and alternate governor.
Both Swedish icons spent their entire playing careers on the west coast and initially joined the front office in June 2021.
Rebuilding after a tumultuous era
These major boardroom changes are designed to forge a new path for a franchise that has endured a spectacularly challenging 18 months.
Expectations were high after former head coach Rick Tocchet led the squad to within one game of the Western Conference finals during the 2023-24 campaign.
However, the subsequent season was derailed by injuries, severe inconsistencies, and a highly publicised rift between star forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.
The internal friction culminated in the American centre being traded to the New York Rangers, while the Swedish forward remained following his lucrative contract extension.
Roster overhaul and draft focus
Tocchet subsequently departed to guide the Philadelphia Flyers, leaving Adam Foote to take the reins of a struggling roster.
Further massive structural changes followed, notably the blockbuster trade that sent captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a package including Marco Rossi and multiple draft assets.
A slew of other veterans, including defenceman Tyler Myers and forward David Kampf, were also shipped out prior to the trade deadline.
Despite finishing bottom of the league standings, the Pacific Division side lost the draft lottery and will select third overall behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks.
The newly appointed executive trio now faces the monumental task of rebuilding the team utilising their five picks in the first three rounds of the upcoming draft.
The France national squad are privately backing captain Kylian Mbappe after his recent political comments regarding the far-right triggered a significant backlash.
The Real Madrid forward recently expressed deep concerns about the severe consequences of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party winning upcoming elections in his homeland.
Those remarks prompted immediate retaliation from prominent political figures, who suggested the elite attacker should focus solely on his sporting career.
Political figures mock international captain
Party president Jordan Bardella took to social media to mock the former Paris St-Germain star, pointing to the French club’s recent Champions League progress since his departure.
I know what happens when Kylian Mbappé leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League!
Le Pen also dismissed the political influence of the World Cup winner, stating that football fans are entirely capable of making independent voting decisions.
Meanwhile, party spokesperson Julien Odoul publicly demanded that the prolific goalscorer must refrain from acting as a political activist.
Teammates stand by their leader
The rising political tension has led to scattered public calls for manager Didier Deschamps to strip his star player of the armband ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
However, reports from French journalist Fabrice Hawkins indicate that the vast majority of the national squad firmly agree with their skipper’s stance.
Like it or not, KM said out loud what the vast, vast majority of players on the French national team think.
This unified dressing room support ensures the lightning-fast striker will retain his leadership role as Les Bleus prepare for their vital international campaign.
The French superstar, who boasts Cameroonian and Algerian heritage, has consistently used his massive global platform to speak out on important social issues.
His impressive domestic campaign, yielding 41 goals across all competitions, has already cemented his status as a crucial figure for the national side.
France manager Didier Deschamps has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with Kylian Mbappe and William Saliba headlining a star-studded selection.
Les Bleus will be looking to go one step further after suffering penalty shootout heartbreak against Argentina in the 2022 final.
The two-time winners begin their Group I campaign against Senegal on 16 June.
Subsequent group fixtures pit the European heavyweights against Iraq and Norway later in the month.
Premier League stars bolster defence
Arsenal centre-back Saliba is rewarded for an outstanding domestic campaign.
He is joined in the defensive ranks by Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace centre-half Maxence Lacroix.
Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto provides an option on the right flank alongside Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.
Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Paris St-Germain’s Lucas Hernandez add further elite experience to the backline.
Maignan steps up as new era begins
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan officially takes the mantle as the nation’s undisputed number one.
He replaces legendary captain Hugo Lloris, who retired from international duty following the tournament in Qatar.
Rennes shot-stopper Brice Samba and Lens prospect Robin Risser will serve as the 30-year-old’s deputies.
West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola is a notable omission from the travelling party.
Midfield blend of youth and experience
Veteran holding player N’Golo Kante returns for what is likely his final appearance at a major international tournament.
The former Chelsea man is joined by seasoned campaigner Adrien Rabiot.
Real Madrid engine Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to anchor the side despite recent training ground controversies at his club.
Deschamps has also placed faith in emerging talent, calling up exciting youngsters Manu Kone and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Randal Kolo Muani has reached an agreement in principle to join Juventus this summer after struggling to impress manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The French international is currently spending the season in north London but is expected to depart following a disappointing domestic campaign.
Reports from Italy indicate the 27-year-old has already settled on terms for a permanent return to Turin following a previous successful loan spell with the Serie A club.
Relegation fears and squad rebuild
Spurs are currently embroiled in a tense Premier League relegation battle alongside West Ham United and desperately need four points from their final two fixtures to ensure survival.
A crucial trip to St James’ Park against Newcastle United awaits on Sunday, followed by a daunting London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Regardless of which division the club competes in next season, a significant overhaul of the playing squad is anticipated to prevent a repeat of this year’s struggles.
De Zerbi seeks alternative attacking options
The former Paris St-Germain forward has managed just one goal and a solitary assist in 28 league appearances this term.
Despite starting all five matches since De Zerbi took charge, the lightning-fast striker has failed to show enough consistency to secure a full-time contract.
The Italian head coach has openly expressed a desire to permanently sign fellow loanee Joao Palhinha but remains unconvinced by his current forward line.
First-team opportunities for the Frenchman may have been severely limited had key playmakers such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski been fully fit.
Arsenal are plotting a summer transfer for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as Mikel Arteta seeks to capitalise on the East London club’s relegation battle.
Manchester United are also circling the Portuguese star ahead of the upcoming window.
The Hammers face the very real prospect of their squad unravelling if they lose their Premier League status this season.
A host of elite talents are expected to demand exits rather than endure a campaign in the Championship.
European giants join the race
The North London club will not have a clear path to secure the highly-rated playmaker.
Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are reportedly monitoring the midfielder’s situation closely.
West Ham will likely have little choice but to sanction a sale if they drop into the second tier.
Arteta seeks tactical versatility
The Gunners’ manager is eager to add adaptable options to the middle of the park.
The dynamic operator fits this profile perfectly, capable of playing in a deeper role, as a traditional number eight, or further forward as a number 10.
Known for his phenomenal footwork and passing range, the youthful midfield dynamo also boasts an impressive work rate off the ball.
Reports suggest the Emirates outfit are open to offloading fringe players to make room for new midfield arrivals.
Injury blows impact title charge
The urgency to bolster their ranks follows a significant injury setback in the current campaign.
A prominent Arsenal player has recently suffered a serious medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
This latest fitness blow serves as a major boost to title rivals Manchester City in the race for the domestic crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has signed a four-year contract extension to remain as Brazil manager until the 2030 World Cup, shortly before leading the nation at this summer’s tournament.
The Italian took charge of the Selecao after departing Real Madrid at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Despite enduring six defeats during a turbulent South American qualifying campaign, the former Chelsea and Everton boss successfully secured a fifth-place finish.
That qualification ensures their presence at the upcoming finals across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Aiming for a historic sixth triumph
Brazil have been drawn into Group C for the global showpiece, where they will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti.
The five-time champions are desperate to end a lengthy drought, having not lifted international football’s most prestigious trophy since 2002.
Speaking to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) website, the veteran coach expressed his deep commitment to the role.
“I arrived in Brazil a year ago. From the first minute, I understood what football means to this country.”
“For a year, we have been working to bring the Brazilian national team back to the top of the world, but the CBF and I want more: more victories, more time, more work.”
“We are very happy to announce that we will continue together for another four years. We will go together until the 2030 World Cup. I want to thank the CBF for their trust. Thank you, Brazil, for the warm welcome and for all the affection.”
Overcoming recent tournament struggles
While the South American giants remain the most successful nation in World Cup history, recent campaigns have ended in bitter disappointment.
They suffered back-to-back quarter-final eliminations, falling to Belgium in 2018 before an agonising penalty shootout defeat against Croatia four years later.
Their last semi-final appearance came on home soil in 2014, which culminated in a humiliating 7-1 thrashing by eventual champions Germany.
An inquest has recorded a verdict of accidental death for Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who died after a fall at Thurles racecourse.
The 24-year-old suffered a catastrophic brain injury during a handicap chase in County Tipperary and passed away ten days later at Cork University Hospital on 16 February 2025.
He was highly regarded in the sport, having secured a landmark victory at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, and was described at the hearing as being towards the pinnacle of his career.
Medical findings confirm severe trauma
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster conducted the post-mortem examination and shared her findings with the grieving family at the Cork inquest.
She confirmed the young rider sustained multiple skull fractures and died from a catastrophic brain injury complicated by cerebral swelling.
“He would have been deeply comatose and wouldn’t have known anything,” Dr Bolster stated.
First responder describes chaotic final fence
William Sweeney, a cardiac first responder with the Order of Malta, was stationed at the final obstacle when the tragic incident unfolded.
Sweeney noted in his Garda statement that the approaching horses were being heavily pushed down the final straight, prompting him to anticipate trouble.
“The horse had fallen onto the rider, whom I now know to be Michael O’Sullivan, and until it was safely removed it had been on top of him, kicking in panic,” Sweeney recalled.
After the animal was safely moved, Sweeney was instructed by the racecourse medical officer to secure the stricken competitor’s head and cautiously remove his helmet.
Emergency personnel applied pressure to his injuries for approximately 15 minutes before an air ambulance arrived to transport him to hospital.
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a £50m summer move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as manager Roberto de Zerbi plans a major squad overhaul.
The North London club are currently fighting for Premier League survival and sit just two points clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining.
Regardless of their divisional status next season, the Italian head coach is prioritising urgent central midfield reinforcements.
Scott has emerged as a primary target to rebuild the engine room, though Spurs face immediate competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Boyhood allegiance offers transfer advantage
The highly-rated prospect was a childhood supporter of the Lilywhites, which could provide a crucial edge in any forthcoming negotiations.
The Bournemouth creator publicly acknowledged his long-standing allegiance recently after scoring a vital goal against Arsenal.
“Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today.”
Major departures expected in capital
A significant playing exodus is anticipated at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer regardless of whether they avoid the drop.
Club captain Cristian Romero is heavily tipped to leave, forcing the recruitment department to search for a new starting central defender.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is attracting strong interest from Inter Milan, while Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies are nearing the end of their current contracts.
Dutch defender Micky van der Ven could sign a new deal if top-flight football is secured, having enjoyed his time under the current coaching setup.
Loan decisions and attacking reinforcements
De Zerbi is eager to secure combative midfielder Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis following his loan spell from Bayern Munich.
Fellow temporary signing Randal Kolo Muani is currently scheduled to return to parent club Paris St-Germain at the end of the campaign.
The domestic strugglers are also expected to actively enter the market for a new traditional striker and a wide forward.
Current attacking options Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are both drawing external interest, including approaches from Saudi Arabia, potentially accelerating dramatic changes in the final third.