Andoni Iraola (Pic credit: LFC)

Liverpool have handed the reins to Andoni Iraola, appointing the highly rated Spaniard as their new head coach following the departure of Arne Slot and signaling a return to the aggressive, high-pressing style that brought the club immense success under Jurgen Klopp.The 43-year-old arrives at Anfield after transforming Bournemouth into one of the Premier League‘s surprise packages. Under his guidance, the south-coast club finished sixth last season, went unbeaten in their final 18 league matches and qualified for European competition for the first time in their history.“Liverpool is Liverpool,” Iraola said after his appointment. “The atmosphere, the supporters, the players, the chance to fight for titles — I think it cannot be more attractive than this.”From Athletic Bilbao stalwart to Premier League rising starBorn in Spain’s Basque region, Iraola enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Athletic Bilbao, making more than 500 appearances across 12 seasons. The former right-back also represented Spain seven times before ending his career with MLS side New York City FC.His coaching journey began in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca, where he won the Cypriot Super Cup. He then impressed with Mirandes before guiding Rayo Vallecano back to La Liga and establishing them as a competitive top-flight side.His reputation soared after taking charge of Bournemouth in 2023. Over three seasons, he transformed the Cherries into European qualifiers and one of England’s most exciting teams.A return to ‘heavy metal’ football?Liverpool’s decision comes after a disappointing second season under Slot, who was dismissed last weekend despite winning the Premier League title in his debut campaign. The Reds finished fifth last season and concerns over the team’s style of play became increasingly evident.Outgoing star Mohamed Salah had publicly urged Liverpool to “go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear,” a message that appeared to resonate with the club hierarchy.Iraola’s intense pressing game closely mirrors Klopp’s philosophy, although his understated personality contrasts sharply with the German’s charismatic touchline presence.The challenge awaiting him is considerable. Iraola has never managed in the Champions League nor handled a club of Liverpool’s stature. But after establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest coaching prospects, the Spaniard now faces the biggest test of his career as he attempts to restore Liverpool to the summit of English and European football.

F1’s willingness to invest its own money in Las Vegas was a key factor in convincing the city to back the event, and to allow it to run down the Strip in front of the famous casino hotels.

The event has proved a major success for Las Vegas, turning what had been its least profitable weekend of the year, the one before Thanksgiving, into one of its most lucrative.

A statement from F1 said that since 2023 the grand prix had delivered $3.2bn (£2.4bn) in cumulative economic impact for Las Vegas, with the 2025 race alone generating $43m ($32m) in tax revenue for the city.

Steve Hill, the president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said: “Extending our partnership with Formula 1 for the next decade is a major moment for both Las Vegas and the grand prix.

“In just three years, the race has become a signature global event – putting Las Vegas at the centre of culture, competition and entertainment during race week.

“As the spotlight of the world turns to Las Vegas, the event continues to reinforce our evolution as a premier sports and entertainment destination.”

Thomas Hearns was one of the legendary Four Kings, dominating the sport during the 1980s alongside Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, and ‘The Hitman’ has revealed which of those names provided him with his toughest fight.

Hearns became boxing’s first five division world champion, but it is his wars with Leonard, Hagler and Duran that better define his career; having provided fight fans with a number of classic encounters that will be spoken about for generations to come.

Against that trio, Hearns registered a record of 1-2-1, with Duran being the only ‘King’ that he officially defeated, although his controversial draw in a rematch with Leonard is often seen as a victory, even in the eyes of Leonard.

Speaking with OSP TV, Hearns reflected on those bouts, stating that Leonard gave him the most challenging fights of his career.

“Ray Leonard, both of them [fights].

“People know that I won the [second] fight, he [Leonard] knows that I won the fight. The reason why it was so challenging is because we are both boxers, we both have good ability and what made a difference was who out-thought who in the fight and playing them mind games, it makes the fight that much tougher. 

“You don’t know where he is coming from and he doesn’t know what you are about to do, you have got to figure out what is going to happen. In most fights you can go out there, use your jab and set your right-hand up, or set the hook up, but with Ray Leonard, I had watch my P’s and Q’s at all times.”

Hearns hung up the gloves in 2006, after a near three decade-long career in the ring, before being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Daria Kasatkina stood up for Marta Kostyuk after the 2026 French Open semifinalist faced political backlash for refusing to shake hands with Mirra Andreeva. Kostyuk has been pretty vocal about opposing the war.

The Ukrainian tennis player has refused to shake hands with any Russian and Belarusian players on the tour since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following her match against Andreeva, where the Ukrainian was defeated in straight sets, both players acknowledged each other from a distance, but did not exchange any pleasantries at the net.

One of the fans seemed to enquire about Kostyuk’s well-being after the faceoff, writing:

“How is Marta Kostyuk doing?”

To which Kasatkina replied:

“Judging by the last few months, everything’s great with her. And how about you?”

Kasatkina’s reply did not sit well with a fan, who expressed surprise that the Russian-Australian tennis player chose to support Kostyuk rather than Andreeva. The fan argued that the finalist was too young when the war began and had no influence on it, adding that Kostyuk’s stance of refusing handshakes has yielded no results towards the war.

Kasatkina questioned why Andreeva was brought into the discussion.

“What does Myrrh have to do with this at all?” she asked.

To which the fan clarified that the discussion was about Kostyuk’s actions on the tour. They specified that Andreeva was relevant to the discussion after Kostyuk’s repeated criticism of the Russian and Belarusian players for their silence on the war.

“In the original post, it was about her constant statements directed at Russian players and their “silence” regarding the war. Among these players is Mirra, and personally, I don’t understand the very call for them all to speak out, and especially those who have no influence whatsoever.”

Kasatkina then took a jab at the fan, clarifying that her reply wasn’t intended as a political statement.

“This post carried no political message whatsoever. I just couldn’t pass by an idiotic comment from a “sports journalist” directed at a female athlete.”

Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Andreeva after her win over the 19-year-old at the Madrid Open.

Advertisement

Marta Kostyuk opens up on why she decided to shake hands with Daria Kasatkina

While Marta Kostyuk has made her position clear about not shaking hands with any Russian and Belarusian players, she stated that she would be fulfilling the customary ritual with Daria Kasatkina because the latter criticized the war openly.

“The only person I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina because she didn’t just change her passport, but also openly said she doesn’t support the war and all of that stuff. That’s why me and other girls made the decision to shake hands with her, purely out of respect.”

” In this case, I mean there have been multiple players who have changed their nationality, but none of them have ever voiced anything against war or you know, anything to support Ukraine. So, whatever, for me it doesn’t change,” Kostyuk said. (via tennisworldusa.org)

Kasatkina changed her nationality from Russian to Australian in 2025.