Boss Julen Lopetegui reportedly holding crunch talks with Wolves ahead of season
Julen Lopetegui is reportedly holding crunch talks with Wolves which could see him leave his role as head coach just days before their Premier League opener against Manchester United on Monday. The Spaniard is said to have headed into conversations with the club’s hierarchy on Tuesday morning following rumours of his ongoing dissatisfaction over their transfer activity this summer. Former Spain and Real Madrid boss Lopetegui, 56, took over in November with Wolves bottom of the table and he guided them to safety with a 13th-placed finish. Wolves have sold a number of first-team players including Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, Nathan Collins and Raul Jimenez this summer and have only brought in two on free transfers – Matt Doherty and Tom King. Lopetegui revealed his frustration at Wolves’ situation last month, telling Guillem Balague’s Pure Football podcast: “It was bad news for me. I tried in the summer. This was plan A. We went to a plan B, trying to think about cost-effective players, but it’s true at the moment, we can’t develop this plan, too. “We lost a lot of players and we think the club want to sell more players. In this situation, we need players to balance the squad and be competitive in the Premier League. “I know the sporting director, Matt Hobbs and the recruitment – all this team – have worked very hard to have a plan A and plan B, but unfortunately we can’t develop this plan.” Wolves chairman Jeff Shi published an open letter on the club website over the weekend, detailing their battle to comply with the Premier League’s rules on profitability and sustainability. Former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil is the early favourite to take the reins, with Wolves reported to have held talks with the 40-year-old following his own shock exit from the Vitality Stadium at the end of last season.
1970-01-01 08:00
Drahi Says Altice France Will Do ‘Whatever it Takes’ to Cut Debt
Billionaire Patrick Drahi declared to investors that reducing Altice France’s leverage was his “single priority” in a bid
1970-01-01 08:00
Colombia overcome Jamaica - and show why they will scare England
It only took a moment for Jamaica’s plan to unravel. After keeping three clean sheets in their historic progression from the group stages, a goal was all it took for their World Cup dream to finally appear out of reach. As Deneisha Blackwood was caught under the high ball, Colombia found the quality they had long been searching for: Catalina Usme cushioned it perfectly on her left foot and a step later, it was guided into the far corner. For the first time in four matches at this World Cup, Jamaica and goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer conceded, and if this last-16 tie desperately needed a goal, so did Colombia’s entire approach. After taking the lead, they finally began to look like the team that shocked Germany in topping Group H, and who will now look to do the same against England in the quarter-finals. Playing Jamaica didn’t suit them. Facing the Lionesses might. When Colombia stunned the World Cup and beat Germany, it was a victory built on how effectively they disrupted the two-time champions when they were in possession. Not having as much of the ball allowed Colombia to pick, press and frustrate. But in the last-16 it was Jamaica who were succeeding in frustrating them. Jamaica barely left their half when the game was goalless, sitting deep and cancelling Colombia out with their defensive shape and resilience. Colombia were faced with having to create their own impetus, they struggled for fluency in a poor game and Jamaica’s plan, for 51 minutes at least, was working. But then Usme struck and as Jamaica were forced to open up, Colombia were released. They became the side that England will not enjoy facing, as Linda Caicedo showed the glimpses that the Lionesses need to somehow control. Colombia immediately looked more threatening as Caicedo, a nimble and electric dribbler from the left, had space to weave and drive. A goal up, Colombia were able to combine their combativeness in midfield with the 18-year-old’s speed and quality in attack. It should concern England, who were disrupted by Haiti in their opening game while being stretched by Michelle Dumornay. They are likely to face a similar challenge in Colombia, yet the South American side, who reached the final of last year’s Copa America, have a much sharper and more experienced edge. Of course, England have since settled on a new formation since that ragged opening display against Haiti and Dumornay, although the future of Sarina Wiegman’s 3-5-2 could also be now under consideration due to Lauren James’ suspension. What the system has given England is greater defensive solidity and the Lionesses have yet to concede from open play at the World Cup. They came under significant spells of pressure against Nigeria, but England still did not concede as many high-quality chances than they did against Haiti. Wiegman’s side have been less open and more disciplined with Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood alongside Millie Bright. Even as Nigeria targeted the sides of England’s back three, in what was an excellent tactical performance from Randy Waldrum’s side, Carter and Greenwood’s individual defending was exceptional. It will need to be again on Saturday, with Carter facing the eye-catching Caicedo and Greenwood likely to face the unpredictable Mayra Ramírez, who has licence to roam inside from the right channel. If England do keep their 3-5-2 and look to control possession, Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly will again be asked to push high and wide, leaving Carter and Greenwood with another match of considerable defensive responsibility. Jamaica would have been a completely different test and had they defeated Colombia, Lorne Donaldson’s side would have played the same way against England. That they reached the last-16 at all was credit to their remarkable defensive organisation but it only took a moment for that to slip as Blackwood was caught under the switch to the far post. Jamaica finished the World Cup having scored once and conceded once - that they reached the last-16 at all was a remarkable achievement. Jamaica’s late assault on the Colombia goal was too little and too late. Drew Spence’s header that sneaked past the post was the closest they came, but Jamaica may regret not showing more adventure in the first half and they struggled to bring Khadija Shaw into the match. The Lionesses would have been more confident facing a low block, although it is aso fair to question whether Wiegman’s side would have been anywhere near as dangerous without James when they thrashed China 6-1 in the group stages. But that performance and Wiegman’s deployment of 3-5-2 came with China in mind. The England manager needed a response after two uninspiring 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark, and so found the formation that unlocked something new and unpredictable from England while exploiting China’s obdurate system. Now James’ suspension has given Wiegman a reason to go on the front foot again, and to make the changes that will cover for the absence of their star forward, but to pick holes in Colombia as well. And with their quarter-final opponent set, Wiegman and England can get to work. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Who and when do England play next? Lionesses route to the World Cup final Lauren James apologises after World Cup red card Lauren James apologises after World Cup red card Trump goes on unhinged rant blaming Biden and ‘wokeness’ for USWNT’s World Cup loss A timeline of Donald Trump’s spat with Megan Rapinoe
1970-01-01 08:00
Dante Exum is back in the NBA but is he better?
Dante Exum, a former top-5 NBA Draft pick, spent two years in Europe to find his basketball rhythm. Now, he's back in the NBA. Will his return be better than his debut?Selected No. 5 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Australian guard Dante Exum came into the league with what could be best ...
1970-01-01 08:00
Huobi Gets $209 Million Injection From Justin Sun, Blockchain Firms Say
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun transferred more than $200 million of digital tokens to his exchange Huobi Global, according
1970-01-01 08:00
Niger Junta Consolidates Power as Military Threat Fades
Niger’s junta moved to consolidate power as regional leaders prepared for a second emergency summit since the country’s
1970-01-01 08:00
Biggest Coal Miner Sees Profits Fall as Fuel Extends Decline
Coal India Ltd., the world’s largest miner of the fuel, reported a 10% drop in first-quarter profit on
1970-01-01 08:00
Italy slaps 40% one-off windfall tax on its banks
Italy dealt a surprise blow to its banks and sent shockwaves across the sector in Europe by setting a one-off 40% tax on profits reaped from higher interest rates, after reprimanding lenders for failing to reward depositors.
1970-01-01 08:00
Sandra Bullock's sister mourns death of actress's longtime partner
Gesine Bullock-Prado, the sister of Sandra Bullock, paid tribute Monday to the actress's longtime partner, photographer Bryan Randall.
1970-01-01 08:00
College football predictions 2023: Sleeper to win each Power 5 Conference
With just weeks until college football's Christmas, here's a look at a team in each Power 5 league to keep an eye on.Each preseason, college football fanbases prepare for the most optimism. Whether it be flashy transfer portal additions, a five-star ready to make an immediate impact or...
1970-01-01 08:00
Aaron Boone Loses His Mind, Imitates Umpire Laz Diaz During Epic Ejection
VIDEO: Aaron Boone's latest hilarious ejection.
1970-01-01 08:00
UK Electoral Registers Were Accessed by Hackers, Commission Says
The UK’s Electoral Commission was targeted by a cyber attack in which its servers containing email, control systems
1970-01-01 08:00
