List of All Articles with Tag 'port'

Major League Baseball wants to grow in Europe and is looking for ways to connect with the local fans

Tributes have poured in for Craig Brown, the last man to lead Scotland to a World Cup and one of the most popular characters in Scottish football. Brown’s family announced the 82-year-old had died in hospital in Ayr following a short illness. The former schoolteacher took Scotland to a World Cup and a European Championship finals and was involved in a coaching capacity in three other major tournaments. He also led the country’s under-16s to a World Cup final and the under-21s to the last four in Europe. Brown was combining a career in education with his duties as manager of part-time Clyde when an old friend, Sir Alex Ferguson, changed the course of his life in 1986, and the former Manchester United manager was among those paying tribute to a “thoroughly wonderful man”. In a statement released by the League Managers Association, Sir Alex added: “Craig and I had been friends since Scotland Schools team in 1957-58, with Craig as captain. “When I was given the honour of managing Scotland at the World Cup finals in Mexico there was one man I had to take, for all his attributes and knowledge, that was Craig. “He had a great career as a manager of several clubs but his service for his country stands out. In an industry that questions a man’s capabilities, Craig never wavered in that situation, he always kept his head and his composure. Well done Broon!” The Glasgow-born footballer’s career was undermined by a knee injury which finished his playing days at the age of 27 but he began his professional spell at Rangers and won a league winners’ medal with Dundee in 1962 before being part of a squad which reached the European Cup semi-finals. His coaching career hit new levels after his stint at Mexico 86, when he was appointed assistant to new Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh, who he would succeed in 1993, serving for eight years. Current Scotland manager Steve Clarke said: “Craig led the way in bringing sustained qualification to the men’s national team, first as assistant to Andy Roxburgh and then in his own right. “He was a student of the game and I am proud to say that I followed in his footsteps by taking a Scotland team back to a major tournament.” The Scottish Football Association described Brown as a “one-off” in a lengthy tribute, stating he was best remembered for leading Scotland to Euro 96 and the World Cup two years later. “But to those who had the privilege of his company and his experience during a 60-year association with Scottish football, he was a pioneer and innovator, a teacher and a mentor to generations of players who graduated to coaching and management under his tutelage,” the piece added. SFA president Mike Mulraney said: “Words cannot do justice to the impact Craig Brown has had on Scottish football and on behalf of the Scottish FA, and his friends and former colleagues at Hampden Park, I send our deepest condolences to his family. “The greatest tribute that can be paid to his professional capabilities is the respect in which he was held by his peers, who also happened to be our all-time great coaches: among them Jock Stein, Sir Alex Ferguson, Walter Smith, Jim McLean and Andy Roxburgh. “Craig deserves his place in the pantheon of great coaches. He will be missed – but never forgotten – by those who had the pleasure of his company, or by the fans and players who shared in his successes as Scotland manager.” Brown went on to manage Preston, Motherwell and Aberdeen, where he became a director in 2013 after his management career ended. Former Dons chairman Stewart Milne, who hired Brown as manager in 2010, said: “Craig was a very special individual. He always had time for people and if there was any way in which he could help them inevitably he was there with an abundance of support and guidance. “During our time working together Craig became a close friend. He always had a story or two to tell, and I often became the butt of some of these stories, but he always meant it in a friendly way, I think. “He will be sadly missed by many, and I feel grateful that he played such an important part in my life.” Former clubs including Clyde, Preston, Motherwell, Rangers, Dundee, Falkirk and Stranraer also expressed their condolences to Brown’s family, but the majority of clubs throughout Scottish football were quick to pay tribute to a man whose coaching attributes were matched by his human decency. Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “He was one of those rare individuals who was not only effective at what he did but universally loved by all who got to know him.” Read More Former Scotland manager Craig Brown dies aged 82 Ilkay Gundogan shares ‘emotional’ Man City goodbye as Barcelona move confirmed Celtic’s move for Yang Hyun-jun in balance but club still keen on Asia market Former Scotland manager Craig Brown dies aged 82 Ilkay Gundogan shares ‘emotional’ Man City goodbye as Barcelona move confirmed Celtic’s move for Yang Hyun-jun in balance but club still keen on Asia market

Wales is considering co-captains at the Rugby World Cup after incumbent Ken Owens withdrew injured from the preliminary squad

The Minnesota Timberwolves have kept center Naz Reid off the market by agreeing to terms on a three-year, $42 million contract that comes with a player option after two seasons

Carlos Alcaraz has replaced Novak Djokovic at No. 1 in the ATP rankings

Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly is planning to transfer for his final season

In an NHL draft class dominated by skilled forwards, and led by Connor Bedard, questions arise over who and when the first defenseman will be selected when the first round is held in Nashville on Wednesday night

The Trail Blazers need to convince Damian Lillard they can win next season. According to the latest NBA rumors, signing Draymond Green is the key.According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Trail Blazers see signing Draymond Green as a key tool to prevent Damian Lillard from requesting a trade. ...

Real Madrid has extended Luka Modric’s contract for another season

Former world champion Carl Froch believes that current world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury can cement his legacy with wins against Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. The WBC champion has not fought since his tenth-round TKO victory against Derick Chisora in December 2022. Fury had been set to fight Usyk in April but that fight fell through in March after the pair were unable to agree terms. The 34-year-old claimed to send a draft contract to fellow Brit Joshua in May for a fight in September but promoter Frank Warren has since confirmed that that fight will not be happing next for Fury. For Froch, though, who became just the eighth Brit to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame earlier in June, Fury must fight have fights with both Joshua and Usyk before he retires if he wants to earn his place as the best fighter in modern heavyweight boxing. “I can’t give him a massive legacy,” Froch said, speaking to William Hill. “He’s fought Deontay Wilder three times, and he nearly got done in the first one which was a draw. He nearly got done again in the third, and it was three great fights against a guy who is not a massive heavyweight. “He’s a massive puncher but because he’s not that big and heavy, Tyson Fury can keep him out of the way, lean on him and just control the fight, so it’s quite easy for Fury to do what he does because he’s so big. “If he fights Usyk and he fights Joshua and makes mincemeat of them, then he’ll be the best of a generation.” Joshua appears to be edging closer to a summer rematch with long-time rival Dillion Whyte while Usyk is set to take on Daniel Dubois in August after Usyk’s team won a purse big to hold the fight in Poland against the 19-1 Brit who is the WBA mandatory challenger. For Fury, however, there is no clear opponent for a summer fight with Froch suggesting that the heavyweight champion still wants to fight Usyk but will need to lower his demands to ensure a financial agreement is met in the future. He added: “If Tyson Fury really wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk then why is he demanding a 70/30 split, and then when it gets agreed turning round and saying that the fight isn’t happening? His bluff was called, and he realized he couldn’t get ready in six weeks when he was trying to look like the bigger man. “I do think Tyson Fury wants to fight Usyk. He’s very confident and he’s got every reason to believe that he can beat Usyk because he’s twice the size of him and he’s a great fighter. He’s an unbelievable heavyweight.” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More ‘Test plans for Champions League final at Wembley to destruction’ says FA chair Behind the scenes, laughter is turning to anger in the Fury vs Usyk saga Tyson Fury claims UFC has offered him ‘hybrid fight’ with Jon Jones Tyson Fury promises ‘imminent’ announcement of ‘big fight’ Joe Joyce on knockouts, oil painting, and teaching 60-year-olds to swim The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Marta has won the world player of the year award six times but has never won the Women’s World Cup in five previous attempts with Brazil

Japan won the Women's World Cup just 12 years ago but had a disappointing second-round exit in the 2019 edition in France