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Michael Carrick is reportedly set to be offered a two-year deal as Manchester United head coach, with discussions said to be ongoing as the Red Devils seek to secure his future at Old Trafford

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Manchester United are preparing to put forward a two-year contract offer to Michael Carrick for the role of head coach. Carrick, who stepped into interim managerial duties following the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January, has made a favourable impression in the dugout at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils currently sit third in the table and have secured Champions League football next season.

They could be doing so with Carrick leading the charge, with talks reportedly continuing after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sanctioned the move following a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox over Carrick’s future. According to The Athletic, there remains a possibility that an agreement could be reached ahead of United’s final home fixture of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.

The report further states that the deal would see Carrick take charge at Old Trafford for two years, with the option of an additional season extending his tenure through to 2029. The salary on offer has not been disclosed.

His backroom staff are also expected to remain in situ, with assistant Steve Holland, coaches Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans all set to be handed new contracts. Meanwhile, Craig Mawson, who was promoted to first-team goalkeeping coach, is also set to retain a senior position.

United missed out on European football under Amorim last season — yet the club stood by the Portuguese manager until January, eventually parting company with him as Darren Fletcher stepped in as caretaker boss. Carrick subsequently stepped in for Fletcher after just two matches, with the Red Devils confirming he would remain at the helm until the season’s conclusion. Despite this, Carrick has raised eyebrows by steering United into the top three, masterminding impressive wins against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool during the second half of the campaign, reports the Express.

Speaking earlier this month, Carrick said: “I’ve said it many times, I enjoy being here, I enjoy the role I’m in. We’ve had some good results and we’re in decent shape. We still want to keep improving, there’s layers that we want to get to, really. I’ll see.

“I keep saying the same things every week. There’s only so much I can say in terms of that, but I’ve said it many times. Again, I enjoy being here, I love being here. It’s a real privilege to be in the position I am but thriving with the responsibility that we’ve got.”

When pressed on when he anticipated clarity regarding his future, Carrick added: “I’m not sure, to be honest. Genuinely it’s not something in terms of deadlines that I’m really chasing. I think it’ll become clear when it’s going to become clear.

“I’m here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results. At the moment we’re doing all right. We can keep pushing and getting better, so, really, that’s genuinely all I’m focused on right now.”

Channel 4 Gogglebox star Ken Harwood, 77, has died following a short illness, with the show set to air a special tribute

Gogglebox star Ken Harwood has passed away following a brief illness at the age of 77. Show bosses confirmed in an official statement that Ken died last week, adding that a tribute would be paid to him on Friday evening’s programme.

Ken and his wife Anne, from County Durham, had been married for 55 years and were well-loved cast members on Gogglebox from series 15 to 19, which aired on Channel 4 between 2020 and 2022.

In their first appearance on the show, the romantic Ken presented Anne with a bouquet of 50 roses, one for every year they had been together. Anne was deeply touched by the gesture, though she playfully joked that she had nothing to give him in return.

She said: “You have put me to shame now with a card and roses, and I got you nothing. But you have me and that’s all you need.”

Upon joining the show, fans remarked that the couple “fitted in” immediately, sharing their views on television moments such as an ITV news report covering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relocation to Canada, reports the Mirror.

Anne remarked “She maybe just doesn’t like England or Great Britain,” to which Ken responded: “Why? Nothing wrong with it… except for the weather.”

Born in Consett, County Durham in 1948, Ken served as a postmaster for 30 years before becoming a local councillor, eventually retiring in 2013.

A statement from the show’s producers read: “Ken will be dearly missed by his wife Anne, sons Simon and Ross, daughter-in-law, Elle, grandchildren Freya and Tristram, and all who knew him.

“There will be a tribute to Ken at the end of Channel 4’s episode on Gogglebox tonight.” Earlier this month, former Gogglebox star Josh Tapper made a return to the public spotlight in a remarkably different capacity, having been elected as a Labour councillor nine years after stepping away from the Channel 4 programme.

Josh now serves as councillor for the Underhill ward in the borough of Barnet. Reports indicate that Josh secured 1,128 votes, earning him a seat alongside fellow Labour candidate Zahra Beg. His sister Amy took to social media to proudly announce the news, writing: “My brother is officially a Councillor! So so proud.”

The Gogglebox family has been struck by a number of heartbreaking losses over the years. In March 2024, former cast member George Gilbey passed away aged 40 following a tragic workplace accident.

George had appeared on Gogglebox alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry from 2013 to 2014, and again from 2016 to 2018. He lost his life in 2024 after falling from a height while at work.

Some years earlier, in 2021, much-loved cast member Mary Cook passed away at the age of 92. She had featured on the programme alongside her friend Marina Wingrove from 2016 to 2021.

Leon and June Bernicoff became immediate fan favourites upon their debut in 2013. June departed the show following the death of 83-year-old Leon in 2017, subsequently authoring a book about her life experiences before her own passing in 2020.

A brand new tournament starts this summer with Wales welcoming some of the best in the game to the Principality Stadium this year

Wales will be busy preparing for the inaugural Nations Championship this summer as the northern hemisphere take on the southern hemisphere in the newly formed competition. Fans can enjoy matches against the likes of Fiji, Japan, New Zealand and Australia with tickets up for grabs at SeatUnique.

This year sees the July and November international rugby windows transformed into one competitive tournament putting points, titles and silverware on the line. The July window will see the Six Nations teams travel south to face their respective opponents before welcoming them all to their own home turf in November.

It comes as Fanatics launches a sale across Wales rugby kits and Welsh fans have the added bonus of an additional home match in the July window with their match against Fiji in their own capital city. In November, they will welcome Japan, New Zealand and Australia to the Principality Stadium which promises to be an exciting month of international rugby.

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Wales kick-off their Nations Championship campaign against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium where fans can take advantage of three unique hospitality experiences. The Vanua Heritage Suite is priced at £238.80 and provides ‘premium’ seating as well as an authentic two-course Fijian dining experience with traditional game day favourites with an inclusive drinks package too.

The second option is the Flying Fijian Experience at £414 per person where fans are treating to premium padded seats with excellent views as well as player appearances and meeting legends of the game too. There will be cultural performances, live entertainment and authentic Fijian cuisine as well as an inclusive drinks package.

Wales Rugby VIP hospitality tickets

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Seat Unique

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Seat Unique offers VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ autumn internationals including New Zealand and Australia.

The third option for the opener are the Private Boxes packages priced at £478.80 per person but does require purchasing the whole box which fits 15 people which costs £7,182 plus a booking fee of £179.55. Groups of 15 fans can enjoy their own personal private box experience with padded seats, an informal two-meal with an inclusive drinks package to complement your meal as well as a half-time cheeseboard and post-match pie platter too.

Over at the Principality Stadium when Wales welcome several big names in November, fans can enjoy The Riverside Terrace which is available as an option at £330 per person for a delicious two-course informal meal. Fans can enjoy live music throughout the day as well as benefit from early entry before indulge in a two-course street food-inspired brunch menu with a fully inclusive bar offering a variety of beers, house wines and soft drinks.

A caveat is that this package is available for groups of two to six, so fans booking for more than six guests will be split across two tables next to each other instead of all as one group. Also, guests will have to purchase spirits on the day if that is their drink of choice.

Another experience to consider at the Principality Stadium is the Captain’s Club located on the South Stand. Prices are from £654 during the Nations Championship with fans enjoying a five course fine dining experience as well as a post-match light supper too. The experience starts with a VIP early entry with Laurent Perrier Champagne reception and canapes on arrival before being introduced to your rugby legend host(s) and seated at your private table with your guests.

A live presentation and chefs show kitchen is all part of the experience at the Captain’s Club before taking in the pitch-facing lounge with direct balcony seating for the match along with your programme.

A third option are the Private Boxes, priced from £534 where guests can enjoy the company of their friends in their own experience three hours before kick-off. Guests can enjoy a choice between a formal or informal three-course menu featuring locally sourced Welsh ingredients with bar offerings include a selection of wines, beers and non-alcoholic beverages.

Fans will need to purchase the whole box, which would require 12 tickets for a total of £6,408 plus a £160.20 booking fee too for Wales vs Japan, for example. Alternatively, fans can get tickets for the Nations Championship through Ticketmaster or through the WRU’s official ticket office as well.

Leon Beagan fatally punched popular amateur footballer Andrew Lees outside Renfrew Leisure Centre.

A thug who killed a popular amateur footballer with a single punch has been jailed for seven years. Leon Beagan, 29, punched Andrew Lees outside Renfrew Leisure Centre on November 5, 2023.

The 27 year-old – known as Panda – suffered a fatal rupture of an artery in his neck and sadly passed away in hospital. Beagan was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier been convicted of a charge of culpable homicide.

Judge Douglas Brown told the killer the death was “a tragedy” and that it had left Mr Lees’ grieving mother “completely shattered”.

The victim – described as a “big friendly giant with a heart of gold” – played for local team Glynhill Moorcroft AFC. He had been at a game before going to Davidson’s Bar with a friend.

The other man left around 11.30pm – Mr Lees stayed and ended up in the company of the killer’s half-sister Skye Beagan. Mr Lees and Miss Beagan were later in Renfrew town centre before they met Beagan in the car park of the sports centre.

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor William Frain-Bell said: “It is not clear as to what the problem was between Skye Beagan, Andrew Lees and Leon Beagan.

“Things seemed to have kicked off when they came across each other.”

CCTV footage captured the men appearing to confront one another. This continued before Beagan landed a blow on Mr Lees’ head.

The victim did not expect the punch and was heard to state: “What did you do that for?” Mr Lees soon collapsed to the ground.

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Beagan walked off before others called for help. Beagan was said to have shown a “callous disregard” for what he had done to the man.

Paramedics tried to revive him – he was rushed to hospital, but never recovered. The artery tear had resulted in bleeding around the brain.

This type of injury was typically caused by a blow to the side of the head.

In his speech, Mr Frain-Bell added: “Leon Beagan accepts that he punched Andrew Lees.

“He told you that Panda was swinging a punch at him but he missed.

“However, this is not what Mr Beagan told his girlfriend when he got back to her flat.

“She said that Mr Lees pushed Mr Beagan – Mr Beagan pushed him back and then punched him.

“There was no mention of a punch by Andrew Lees.”

Beagan – also known as Gibson -had been on bail during the trial, but was remanded in custody.

Judge Brown told him: “Andrew Lees was plainly popular and much loved by many who knew him.

“The greatest impact will be on those close to him in particular his mother Angela Lees.

“He was her only child. He was loving, kind and protective.

“When he was killed her life was completely shattered. She will never recover from her devastating loss.”

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In the five years since Raducanu stunned the world by winning the US Open, a question has often been posed by those seeking answers about her progress – or lack of it – since.

Why did she not continue with the guy who guided her to that unfathomable victory?

At the time, the split was often portrayed as a natural parting of the ways at the end of Richardson’s contract – as he wanted to focus on his job at the Ferrer Academy.

Richardson later disputed that narrative,, external indicating he would have been happy to carry.

It was also suggested Raducanu wanted a coach with greater experience of the WTA Tour.

Wherever the truth lies, enough water has passed under the bridge for the pair to attempt to revive their spectacular winning formula.

Raducanu played with an aggressive fearlessness during that unforgettable run at Flushing Meadows, taking returns early and hustling her opponents as she did not drop a set.

She has rarely played with the same intent, belief and freedom since.

After a dismal Australian Open second-round exit in January, she discussed at length how she yearned to play in “a way more similar to how I was playing when I was younger”.

Raducanu feels more relaxed – and therefore plays better – when she is surrounded by long-time confidants who she trusts implicitly.

Therefore, it seems natural that the carousel nature of her appointments – having gone through several full-time coaches, as well as a series of ad hoc guidance – goes back to almost the very start.

After previously turning to Nick Cavaday and Mark Petchey, who have both known her since she was a child, Richardson is the latest familiar face who will attempt to help her kick-start a career which has failed to live up to its early promise.

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The ex The Smiths singer is often called ‘one of the greatest lyricists of his generation’ and now he’s coming back to Cardiff

Morrissey is coming to Cardiff on his live tour during late 2026. The shows are in support of his new album, Make Up is a Lie, and he’ll be at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on Thursday, December 10.

Presale tickets go on sale from May 20 at 9am, while general sale tickets are live from May 22 at 9am – visit Ticketmaster for tickets and more information.

You can also get your tickets via gigsandtours.com. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here

It will be Morrissey’s first gig in the Welsh capital since 2015 when he also played the arena.

The live dates around the UK follow the former The Smiths singer’s sold-out show at The O2, London, earlier this year, and also include dates in Brighton, Liverpool, Glasgow and Leeds,

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in British pop as well as one of the greatest lyricists of his generation, Morrissey has achieved 25 top ten album placings in the UK: 15 solo, and 10 with The Smiths. His 1992 concert at the Hollywood Bowl broke The Beatles record as the fastest-ever sell out at the Bowl. He has received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

Morrissey’s live UK dates 2026

• 06 December @ Brighton Centre
• 10 December @ Cardiff Utilita Arena
• 12 December @ Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
• 16 December @ Glasgow OVO Hydro
• 19 December @ Leeds First Direct Bank Arena

West Ham are staring down the barrel of relegation from the Premier League and responsibility for their plight lies squarely with the club’s ownership, who now need a favour from David Moyes

The crowd at the London Stadium was fantastic. You would never have known West Ham are on the brink of relegation – and an impending financial disaster.

The supporters were loud, proud and really got behind a team which gave everything and came so close to snatching something from Premier League leaders Arsenal. Ultimately, it was not to be and now West Ham have two games to save themselves – at Newcastle and then against Leeds on the final day – and then hope Tottenham slip up in their run-in.

It is a straight fight between West Ham and Tottenham now. The only two teams that can go down. Incredibly, Everton boss David Moyes, the former West Ham boss, might be able to do his old club a favour because the Toffees go to Spurs on the final day.

What an irony that would be. The manager who gave West Ham one of their finest hours – the Europa Conference League trophy – saving them again. He did a few red Adair missions to keep West Ham up in the past.

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And you can be sure that even if Everton cannot do West Ham a favour there will be plenty of people saying: “told you so. Should have stuck with Moyes.” Yes, they probably should. Moyes is a brilliant manager. And West Ham should have spent the proceeds from the £105million sale of Declan Rice better.

And the owners should take the blame. What an absolute car crash the club has become. Badly run, sinking fast and Karren Brady even jumped ship before the end. Let’s not take any more lectures from her about football, please.

Nuno Espirito Santo has given it a good go. He has actually improved their home form, made them better to watch and harder to beat. I thought he was a pragmatist of a manger but he has better than that. But you can be sure there will be a lot of soul searching from the outside and a lot of people ready to knock West Ham fans and their craving for good football. Playing the West Ham way. That is what probably did for Moyes in the end.

But should they apologise for wanting to be entertained and wanting good football? Absolutely not. I think it is absolutely brilliant that a set of fans wants good football, sees it as a huge part of the club’s identity and takes pride from that.

Jarrod Bowen is a terrific player. One of West Ham’s best. He wears his heart on his sleeve and typifies this team. He is attacking, always looks forward and must go to to the World Cup. He is one of the players they will surely lose if they go down. Mateus Fernandes will be another. They will have to have a fire sale to survive.

But don’t blame the fans for that. Don’t blame a set of fans who are as passionate and brilliant as they come. Blame the hierarchy, the people in charge, the people who have run one of English football’s greatest clubs into the ground.

West Ham are showing spirit and a fight to survive. It’s not unthinkable they can stay up. It would have been had Tottenham beaten Leeds on Monday night.

But Spurs slipped. West Ham might just take advantage. They are going down fighting and sticking to their footballing principles. And in an age where football has become more like a wrestling match, that is something they should be very proud of.

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