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St Johnstone confirm Simo Valakari as new head coach

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St Johnstone confirm Simo Valakari as new head coach

Valakari started his coaching career in his homeland and guided SJK to top-flight promotion before winning their first Veikkausliiga title in 2015.

The former Derby County midfielder also claimed both domestic cups during his time at SJK before a three-year stint at Tromso in Norway.

Valakari, who played more than 100 games for Motherwell and won over 30 Finland caps, would return home and claim consecutive Finnish Cups with KuPS.

Then came a move to Latvia, where a short stint at FK Auda was followed by a switch last year to Riga, where he won the Latvian Supercup.

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St Johnstone owner Adam Webb said: “Simo has a remarkable vision for the future. His experience, enthusiasm and creativity will serve us well in the years ahead.”

As part of the appointment, Gus MacPherson will now become head of football operations, scouting and recruitment.

And St Johnstone also confirmed the interim management team of Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland will remain in charge for this weekend’s game against Rangers at Ibrox.

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Nick Cushing a candidate for Arsenal Women’s head coach job

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Nick Cushing a candidate for Arsenal Women's head coach job

New York City head coach Nick Cushing is a candidate to become Arsenal Women’s new manager after Jonas Eidevall’s departure.

Cushing led Manchester City to the Women’s Super League title in 2016 during a seven-year spell before moving to the United States in 2020.

He joined men’s team New York City as assistant manager before becoming head coach in 2022.

The Gunners have been without a manager since Eidevall resigned on 15 October following defeat by Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal are still considering other options, but would be prepared to wait if Cushing becomes their top target – as the Gunners have confidence in interim manager Renee Slegers.

Cushing is set to oversee New York City’s best-of-three Major League Soccer series play-offs against Cincinnati which take place between 28 October and 9 November.

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MMA

Ilia Topuria would ‘explode’ Max Holloway’s head in brawl

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Ilia Topuria would ‘explode’ Max Holloway’s head in brawl

Ilia Topuria’s head coaches don’t think it’s a good idea for Max Holloway to try his signature showdown with the UFC featherweight champion.

Jorge and Agustin Climent, owners of Climent Club in Spain, are confident that not only will Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) get his hand raised at UFC 308, but that he can become the first man to knock out Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), especially if the Hawaiian points to the ground and welcomes a brawl.

“If he’s going to have a showdown with Ilia, Max needs to put on a motorcycle helmet because Ilia cracks. His hands are dynamite,” Jorge told MMA Junkie in Spanish.

That confidence was also backed up by his brother.

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“He has it tough, yeah. That poor guy needs to bring a helmet,” Agustin said. “Holloway hits hard, but Ilia hits very, very hard. He’d explode his head if he connects on him. His power is incredible, and he’s getting more and more dangerous.”

Holloway has fought many world-class power punchers, and yet, in 33 fights, he’s never been knocked out. Holloway has fought the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Yair Rodriguez, Charles Oliveira, and many other striking experts.

The Climent brothers are well aware of what Topuria is up against, and even then they have all the confidence their guy will get the stoppage win.

“Ilia can do the impossible, which is what he’s been doing up to now,” Agustin said.

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Jorge added, “Normally people have their doubts, but us that know Ilia for 15 years, we know what he’s capable of, and we know what he’s going to do.”

Topuria is undefeated in his career, and has quickly become one of the best fighters today in just four years into his UFC career. Agustin believes Topuria, now 27, has entered a level that is unmatched today at 145 pounds.

“Ilia has been at a crazy level since before the Volkanovski fight, and he’s just maintaining that,” Agustin said. “But, yeah, he’s flying. He’s in his prime. If he were to fight Max Holloway when he fought Volkanovski, he would’ve beaten him up, and he beats him up now or the next month.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

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Check out the Hablemos MMA YouTube channel for Spanish-language videos and interviews with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Motorsports

Frankie Muniz gets closer to NASCAR dream with full-time ride

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“I’m so excited to announce that I’m going to be racing full-time next year in the NASCAR Truck Series,” actor Frankie Muniz said in a video posted by Ford Performance. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited to be full-time. We’re going to have so much fun next year. I can’t wait for you to watch.”

Muniz will pilot the No. 33 Reaume Brothers Racing Ford full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series next year, having made his Truck debut with the team a few months ago.

 

The popular American actor gained notoriety for his role in the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” earning an Emmy Award nomination and two Golden Globe Award nominations. He has since appeared in numerous films and television shows.

The 38-year-old has always had an interest in racing and tried to enter the open-wheel world in the mid-2000s. He spent three years in the Champ Car Atlantic Series, placing as high as fourth and ending the 2009 season ninth in the championship.

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In 2023, he entered the stock car world with a full-time ride in the ARCA Menards Series. He ended his rookie season fourth in the championship standings, scoring one top-five and 11 top-tens in 20 starts, with his best result at Michigan where he finished fifth.

This year, he made his debut in both the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity Series. Driving the No. 35 Joey Gase Motorsports Ford Mustang, he competed at Daytona, Portland, and Phoenix. Unfortunately, he failed to qualify for the race at Portland and failed to make it to the finish of the other two races — Daytona due to a crash, and Phoenix due to a mechanical issue. His best result came at Phoenix where he finished 30th.

He did not hide his frustrations as misfortune continued to follow him in his NASCAR exploits, sounding completely dejected after the Portland DNQ. But his love for the sport is apparent as he keeps coming back for more.

Frankie Muniz, Joey Gase Motorsports, Ford Performance Ford Mustang

Frankie Muniz, Joey Gase Motorsports, Ford Performance Ford Mustang

Photo by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images

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In the Truck Series, he made two starts — both with Reaume — piloting the No. 22 truck with a best result of 29th at Kansas. Muniz has also reappeared in the ARCA Menards Series, earning his 12th career top-ten at Talladega when he finished ninth.

Muniz has remained busy outside of the stock car world as well, competing in the Mustang Challenge Series at COTA during the summer, finishing tenth in class and 12th overall.

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‘Agent 47!’ Boxing fans stunned as Oleksandr Usyk makes incredible entrance at Tyson Fury press conference

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'Agent 47!' Boxing fans stunned as Oleksandr Usyk makes incredible entrance at Tyson Fury press conference

OLEKSANDR USYK rocked up to the press conference to launch his rematch with Tyson Fury looking like a lethal hitman.

The gap-toothed boxing legend shaved his head and moustache to reveal his frightening new look.

Tyson Fury showed off his frightening new look

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Tyson Fury showed off his frightening new lookCredit: Reuters
Usyk came dressed as agent 47 from the Hitman video game

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Usyk came dressed as agent 47 from the Hitman video gameCredit: Getty
Usyk and Tyson Fury facing off ahead of their rematch

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Usyk and Tyson Fury facing off ahead of their rematchCredit: Reuters

Usyk was suited and booted in all black with a red tie and leather gloves – as fans likened him to a deadly Agent 47 from the Hitman video game.

One said: “The Hitman.”

Another added: “Oleksandr Usyk just walked into the Tyson Fury press conference as Agent 47 from Hitman.”

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One joked: “Is he filming the new hitman game.”

Another said: “Unified Heavyweight Champion or Agent 47?”

Usyk, 37, became the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history following victory over Fury, 36, in May.

But he was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with the December 21 rematch.

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Now Fury attempts to avenge his only ever loss following the 12-round classic seven months prior.

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He said: “We did the fight in May, a great fight, I know people keep going on about it but it’s in the past now, we’ve got to move on.

“I have to be a little bit more focused and smart to get the victory.

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“My rematches with people, I always end up knocking them out, so I’m envisaging something similar against Usyk.

“All I can do is train well, eat well, go to bed early, listen to the people around me and the rest is in god’s hands.”

‘I’m not a Man City, I’m not a Liverpool – but I am a cold night away in Stoke’ says viral boxer in threat to opponent

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MMA

Conor McGregor continues feud with Johnny Eblen over uneventful title bout: ‘The fight was absolute poo’

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Conor McGregor continues feud with Johnny Eblen over uneventful title bout: ‘The fight was absolute poo’

Conor McGregor—in no uncertain terms—is not a fan of Johnny Eblen.

During this past Saturday’s PFL Battle of the Giants event, McGregor spent much of his time on social media roasting the action on the main card. With the exception of the main event, which saw Francis Ngannou score an impressive knockout in his MMA return, four of the top five fights on the lineup went to the scorecards and one fight in particular drew McGregor’s ire.

Eblen successfully defended his middleweight title in a rematch with Fabian Edwards, but the five-round decision victory had McGregor mocking the champion’s workmanlike effort. On Tuesday, Eblen tweeted a critique of McGregor, which the UFC star has since responded to.

“Conor went from ‘The face of the fight game’ to ‘The disgrace of the fight game,’ Eblen wrote on social media. “He embodies literally everything I don’t want to be as a man or as a human. What an embarrassment. It’s giving Icarus.”

To that, McGregor responded, “Bro the fight was absolute poo, that’s it.”

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Eblen currently sports a 16-0 record and has made a name for himself as the best middleweight in the world outside of the UFC. He entered Battle of the Giants holding the No. 5 spot at 185 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings.

His criticism of McGregor stems from the former two-division champion’s lack of success and inactivity in recent years. “Notorious” has just one win in the past eight years, with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. all handing him defeats.

McGregor has had plenty of time to engage in public feuds as he awaits his first fight since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a fight against Poirier at UFC 264. The 36-year-old was to make his comeback against rival Michael Chandler at UFC this past June, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

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Football

Man Utd vs Fenerbahce: Jose Mourinho quips United could get 2018 Premier League title amid Man City case

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Man Utd vs Fenerbahce: Jose Mourinho quips United could get 2018 Premier League title amid Man City case


It was part of a 20-minute exchange that was typical of the kind of magnetism Mourinho still holds.

In praising United for keeping faith with current manager Erik ten Hag during the present difficult spell, Mourinho managed to refer back to his own dismissal in December 2018 after two and a half seasons in charge.

“I wish the best to Man United since the moment I left,” he said.

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“I left with a good feeling to the club and with a good feeling to the fans. If things are not going amazingly well for them it’s not something that makes me happy.

“It doesn’t make sense for me to be thinking about what happened and what didn’t happen.

“What happened for sure, because it’s very objective, is they keep faith in the coach, they support the coach, the coach is staying season after season and that means stability, it means trust, and they are giving him conditions to keep developing his job. That was different in relation to me.”

Mourinho said he was unaware he has never previously lost a home game against United.

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He pointed out his previous encounters with them were with big clubs and said Fenerbahce would require the help of 35,000 home supporters in the stadium to stand any chance of victory.

“We are going to try and we can do it, but there is a gap,” Mourinho said.

Mourinho also offered his view on Sir Alex Ferguson, who will lose his ambassadorial role at United at the end of the season.

The pair have got on ever since Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and despite his own experience at Old Trafford, it is clear Mourinho’s affection for the 82-year-old remains.

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“He is amazing, incredible,” said Mourinho. “When my Netflix documentary comes out, you will know why I have so much respect.

“I don’t know the situation, it doesn’t matter why or what. He has the love and respect of every Man United fan around the world. That is more important than the ambassadorial role or money he doesn’t need.”

Mourinho is already encountering some criticism, with Fenerbahce eight points adrift of old rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish league table.

He said he would take the advice of local journalists before finalising his line-up for the United game.

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However, after two spells with Chelsea, plus his time with United and Tottenham, it appears the 61-year-old is not finished with the Premier League just yet.

“Sooner or later they [Manchester United] will succeed,” he said. “Hopefully it is sooner, hopefully before one day I go back to the Premier League and they become my opponent.

“At this moment they are just my opponents for one match.”



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