Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, our writers discuss the future of LIV Golf’s star players and the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Jack Hirsh, Associate Equipment Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): That LIV is on the ropes. I think we knew this already, but nothing O’Neil said would do anything to convince me otherwise. It seemed like O’Neil was acting more reactionary than anything, which means he didn’t see the PIF pulling funding. That’s not a death sentence, but the next time the media hears from him, he’s going to need to come up with a more concrete plan about how LIV was going to survive. It didn’t sound like he knew how that would happen yet.
Advertisement
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): As expected, it feels like everyone is trying to figure out what’s next or if there is a next for LIV Golf. O’Neil didn’t offer many specifics on what funding they might get or how a 2027 season would look. I thought Jon Rahm saying that the players would need to make “concessions” to keep the business alive was telling. What does that look like? Who is interested in doing that? Still a lot of unknowns.
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): LIV as we know it is over. That’s already been true — the original vision was a marriage of Greg Norman and Yasir Al-Rumayyan and had nearly blank-check access to the Saudi PIF reserves — but it was even clearer this week, as O’Neil explained that the plan is to make a new plan and players spoke of concessions and unknowns.
One looming question is the future of Bryson DeChambeau, whose contract is up at the end of this year and who said last week he could focus on growing his YouTube channel and playing “tournaments that want me” if it doesn’t work for him to return to LIV or the PGA Tour. How valuable is Bryson to the future of the PGA Tour? And who holds the leverage in Bryson’s future?
Hirsh: There’s no doubt Bryson is super important to the PGA Tour from the standpoint of how many eyeballs he can draw to it that wouldn’t otherwise watch. That said, people are going to see right through his bluff. Bryson is entertaining, no doubt, but if he’s not playing competitive golf, then some of that really goes away. What is to differentiate him from any other YouTuber? I think his viewers hold the greatest amount of leverage in his future. Maybe I’m wrong and people would continue to watch him if he stopped playing any competitive golf once his exemptions ran out. But if I’m not and he loses his command on his viewers, you’re going to see he come back to the PGA Tour with his tail tucked.
Schrock: Bryson has value to the PGA Tour. If you’re just looking at a spreadsheet of who brings in eyeballs and whose presence would translate into dollars and cents, Bryson would be in the green. But the PGA Tour is doing good without him and I don’t think he’s doing himself a lot of favors by saying the PGA Tour is struggling and complaining about the policy regulating players’ social media content creation at tournaments. It will be fascinating to see what a return would look like for Bryson, should he want to come back. He was the lead plaintiff in the antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour in 2022, which members had to pay to defend. He disparaged the PGA Tour on his way out and worked to recruit players to LIV. Basically, everything Brooks Koepka didn’t do, he did. Bryson had all the leverage in negotiations when Koepka ditched LIV. With the PIF no longer involved, he has lost that leverage and now it’s up to the PGA Tour to decide if and how he returns. Playing YouTube full-time is a good headline but, as Jack noted, eventually the exemptions run out. They don’t hand those out for breaking 50 with Steph Curry.
Dethier: They each really stand to benefit from an enthusiastic partnership. They’ll also each survive just fine without the other. There’s some risk in trying to force something that neither side fully buys in on; to Bryson’s point, he should only play the PGA Tour if he wants to and if they want him to.
While appearing on The Rich Eisen Show last week, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said he’s interested in doing whatever makes the PGA Tour better when it comes to player reintegration, but “we need to balance that with the interest of our current golfers.” How does Rolapp go about improving his Tour while also not irking current members who never left in the first place?
Hirsh: Oh man! Isn’t that the million-dollar question? I don’t think there’s a scenario where the PGA Tour product vastly improves for the fan, but the majority of Tour pros (especially guys ranked from like 75-125) aren’t irked. Personally, I’m not a fan of the proposed two-tier Tour, but I can see how that would make it easier for the casual fan. As for reintegration. I say guys who wouldn’t otherwise be exempt need to take the Patrick Reed route. Sorry, not sorry.
Schrock: When someone finds the answer to this question, let me know. I do think we’re really only talking about a handful of players and the real questions revolve around Bryson and Rahm. Feels like the second-tier bucket — the Tyrrell Hattons and Joaquin Niemanns — can take the Patrick Reed route back via the DP World Tour and most of the membership wouldn’t bat an eye. But how Rolapp constructs a punishment and way back for Bryson and Rahm, two players who have irked membership in a way Brooks Koepka didn’t, will be a fascinating tight-rope act.
Dethier: I think we’ve seen versions of these reintegration programs with Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed — but those guys returned voluntarily, while LIV was still in existence. This version is far more complex. Especially with Bryson declaring that he’ll be with LIV as long as LIV exists, and that he wants to watch out for the league’s young would-be stars and their futures, too. I don’t see a simple fix.
Advertisement
The second men’s major of the year has arrived, as we head to Aronimink outside of Philadelphia for the PGA Championship. What’s your top storyline for this year’s event?
Hirsh: That more golf tournaments need to be in Philly. I’m biased, but come on, we only get a golf tournament in the Philly metro every four years (the next one on the schedule is the 2030 U.S. Open at Merion). There are dozens of outstanding tournament-quality venues within 90 minutes of the airport. Not to mention it’s the best food city in the northeast (I said what I said). I think the Philly crowds are going to show out in force this week and show everyone exactly why we need to have a regular event. I’m sure the Cobbs Creek project will be highlighted and hopefully, soon, that might be the host of a tournament in Philly.
Schrock: I feel like every PGA Championship has the same top storyline, which is: So, what’s the identity of this major? Ever since the move to May, the PGA Championship has been adrift. It’s a major, but doesn’t really have the major juice we will get at the U.S. Open, Masters or Open. It’s almost Chevron-esque in that you’re telling me it’s a major but I’m not seeing it. Going to Valhalla and Quail Hollow hasn’t helped. I’m bullish on Aronomink giving us a major feel we’ve been missing at this event but we’re still looking for an identity for the fourth major.
Advertisement
Dethier: Jordan Spieth hunting the career Grand Slam, fellas! [Returns to earth] Honestly, for me it’s the ongoing Scottie-Rory major hunt. To Schrock’s point, as the PGA continues to hunt for an identity, its strongest virtue is that yeah, it’s a major! These are the ones that we really keep track of. I can’t wait.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have won four of the last five majors, with McIlroy already taking the Masters this year. Which player do you like better heading into the PGA?
Hirsh: Rory just won one. Scottie has finished second his last like bajillion events. I more likely see him defending his title than Rory getting halfway to the slam.
Advertisement
Schrock: Rory won at Augusta with his B- game. Scottie has been playing with his B- game for like the last two months and barely finishes outside the top five. I feel like Scottie’s floor is Sunday contention and a to -five, whereas Rory could win or bomb out early. I’ll take Scottie.
Dethier: Scottie’s the best golfer in the world and continues to play like it, so I’ll take him at an old-school major championship test over anyone. But I think Cameron Young might win, and I also think these three could end up 1-2-3 in some order, like they did at Augusta National.
Alex Fitzpatrick wasn’t a PGA Tour member until he teamed with his brother, World No. 4 Matthew Fitzpatrick, to win the Zurich Classic last month. But in his first two starts as a Tour member, Alex tied for 9th at the Cadillac Championship and now 4th at the Truist Championship Sunday. Has his play been the biggest surprise of 2026? If not, what has been?
Hirsh: Yeah, and I don’t think anything will top it. To go from having zero status to winning a team event with your brother and finishing top-10 in the next two Siggies? Now he’s playing in his second major. Quite the whirlwind.
Schrock: In a year of surprises, from Brooks Koepka’s return to Rory’s second jacket and a freakin’ Gary Woodland win, I think Alex Fitzpatrick’s last month, namely how he has played post-Zurich, is the biggest surprise. I would like to throw in Brandt Snedeker winning in Myrtle Beach today, which was his first win in almost eight years and first since he had experimental surgery on his sternum. He had five top-10s in six years coming into this week!
Dethier: The biggest surprise of 2026 is what Sungjae Im did from that bunker on the weekend. Other than that, though? Yeah, I’d say the Brothers Fitzpatrick take the cake, with a nod to some epic, inspiring wins from the trio of 40-somethings (Rose, Woodland, Snedeker). Also, did you see what happened on the Euro Tour this weekend? Golf is full of glorious, unexpected surprises. Maybe another one this week.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) said that its immediate priority is to keep the national team programs going after it got suspended by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
“The Federation acknowledges receipt of the FIVB communication dated 29 May 2026 and is carefully reviewing its implications with the appropriate advisers and stakeholders,” the PNVF wrote.
“PNVF’s immediate priority is to serve the Filipino athlete, preserve the country’s participation in international volleyball, and ensure continuity for the sport.”
The FIVB suspended the Philippine National Volleyball Federation with immediate effect, citing “serious governance concerns and multiple purported violations.”
The FIVB Board of Administration made the shocking announcement Friday night, saying it was obliged to suspend the PNVF in accordance with Article 13.1.1 of the FIVB Disciplinary Regulations.
During the suspension, a committee will be tasked to oversee PNVF affairs. A path for the local federation’s reinstatement has also been established, according to the FIVB.
The Asian Volleyball Confederation Board of Administration also reaffirmed its full confidence in its president Tats Suzara and its “commitment to institutional stability and good governance.”
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
The Philippine Sports Commission also reportedly suspended its funding support and engagements involving the PNVF and PNVF-adjacent activities due to a breach of “contractual obligations” related to the recent Beach Pro Tour Nuvali and “continuing operational misalignment with the LOC and PSC in the handling and execution of events.”
The Philippine Olympic Committee is also set to suspend the PNVF in its general assembly.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
“The Federation respects the important roles of FIVB, PSC, POC, and all relevant institutions in Philippine and international sport, and is prepared to engage constructively through the proper channels,” the PNVF said. “Given the seriousness of the matter, PNVF will seek a full understanding of the issues raised, the process moving forward, and the operational implications for Philippine volleyball.”
Alas Pilipinas continues to train ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon from June 6 to 14.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
State of Origin returns on Wednesday night with a new-look rivalry set to unfold at Accor Stadium, where New South Wales and Queensland launch the 2026 series. With both sides unveiling several debutants and key stars missing, the opener shapes as one of the more unpredictable clashes in recent memory. The Blues enter as favourites after winning last year’s series opener, while the Maroons will be eager to respond after suffering defeat in Sydney the last time the venue hosted a decider.
New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons Preview
The 2026 State of Origin series gets underway at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, with New South Wales out to continue its recent dominance after winning last year’s opener and entering the series as warm favourite. Ironically, home-ground advantage has meant little in recent campaigns, with neither side managing to win at its designated home venue since the Blues’ victory in Origin III, 2023.
There will be a fresh look to both line-ups following recent eligibility changes. Laurie Daley has named six potential debutants for New South Wales, including Tolutau Koula, Addin Fonua-Blake and Ethan Strange, who was promoted into the starting side after Mitch Moses suffered a hamstring injury. Queensland coach Billy Slater has also turned to new faces, with Jojo Fifita, Sam Walker and Max Plath all set to start, while Briton Nikora looms as an impact option off the bench. Reece Walsh headlines the Maroons’ omissions as Queensland looks to rebound from last year’s 18-6 opening-game defeat.
Yeah, Holmgren was technically on the floor for 33 minutes. He did about as much in that time as Williams and Mitchell did from the bench in street clothes, scoring four points on two shot attempts as the Thunder failed in their mission to become the first repeat NBA champion since the 2018 Warriors.
It’s the Spurs who are marching on to the Finals to face the Knicks after a 111-103 victory in one of the most poised performances you will ever see from a team in a Game 7. It came on the road, against the defending champions, with three players age 22 or younger leading the charge.
Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper were awesome in Game 6 to keep San Antonio’s season alive, and they were awesome again in Game 7 with a combined 48 points, 20 boards and 11 assists. Even those numbers don’t do justice to the absolutely enormous plays each of them made at the most critical points of this game. Huge bucket after huge bucket. Harper and Castle combined for seven offensive rebounds.
Advertisement
This is what it looks like to step up in a big-time moment. Not a single player on the Spurs backed away from the heat of this game for even a single second. Holmgren, on the other hand, looked terrified. You don’t usually want to make that sort of judgment on a guy from afar, but this was too obvious to ignore. The guy wanted nothing to do with Wembanyama. Nothing to do with any pass that came his way. Nothing to do with the moment.
I cannot stress the two shot attempts enough. This was not a case of Holmgren trying to make plays and just running into Wembanyama at every turn, or driving and kicking, or doing anything productive with the ball. He couldn’t get rid of the thing quickly enough.
This is what it looks like to catch a pass, take a look at the guy in front of you, and simply say “no thanks” and hot-potato it right back where it came from, only to basically be forced to try something when it comes back to you and not even being able to stay on your feet.
Meanwhile, this is what Wemby was busy doing to Holmgren.
Advertisement
Let’s also be clear: Wemby wasn’t even Holmgren’s primary defender in this series. The Spurs put wings on him like Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie as Wemby roamed as a paint protector (he basically met Chet at every turn as a help defender), and yet he still couldn’t find a way to exploit the size mismatches as a seven-footer in his own right.
To even say Holmgren was passive on Saturday night would be giving him too much credit. He was basically invisible. Of the four shots he took, zero came in the second half. Zero! That is inexcusable for a guy who will start a five-year, $239 million contract next season. A guy who was voted Third Team All-NBA this season.
It’s exponentially worse that Holmgren pulled this disappearing act in a game in which the Thunder were, as mentioned, already without Williams and Mitchell. In a game like this, you need more than one guy who can create his own offense, and with those two guys out, SGA needed Holmgren more than ever. It makes you consider this answer from SGA after OKC’s Game 4 loss in which Holmgren tallied just three buckets.
That is what you call saying everything without saying anything. So let’s just say it for SGA: Holmgren needed to get himself going. It’s cool that OKC coach Mark Daigneault did the honorable thing and tried to take the blame for Holmgren’s no-show in Game 7, but nobody’s buying that line. It bears repeating, this is a max-contract and All-NBA player. Holmgren averaged 10.7 PPG in this series, down from 17 in the regular season. He was held to single digits twice. If he wasn’t going to do anything offensively, he couldn’t even manage to pull more than four rebounds in Game 7?
Wembanyama is going to outplay pretty much every opponent on most nights, but OKC needed Holmgren to at least pull his weight in this series. The fact that the Thunder made it to Game 7 despite the Mitchell and Williams injuries and Holmgren laying multiple eggs is a credit to their depth, defense, toughness and the ability of SGA to create offense when he’s not shooting efficiently himself.
Alex Caruso gave SGA all the help he could muster. Jared McCain went out firing. Cason Wallace was a stud. Lu Dort, who was terrible all series, is going to get a pass because more is expected of Holmgren, and it should be. If Holmgren has an even halfway decent game on Saturday night the Thunder are probably going to the Finals.
Advertisement
Holmgren is not going to become the next Ben Simmons. He was sensational all season and great through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Wemby just scares him to death. It wasn’t just this game or this series, either. In four regular-season matchups, he averaged just 10.7 PPG on 38% shooting against the Spurs.
Wembanyama got the better of Holmgren all series long.
Getty Images
Holmgren takes this matchup personally. Everyone knows that. Wemby treats him like a little brother. He came into this series wanting to prove himself against Wembanyama. But once he lost confidence, which was almost immediately, he was done in this series.
It will be a problem moving forward, because no matter how good Holmgren is against everyone else, Oklahoma City probably isn’t going back to another Finals without going through Wemby, in at least some capacity, for the next decade plus.
That said, the Simmons comp is striking. We all remember the meltdown Game 7 against the Hawks in 2021 in which Simmons was palpably terrified of even having the ball in his hands for fear of being fouled and having to shoot free throws. He ultimately passed up a wide-open dunk attempt for the defining lowlight of his career. In that game, Simmons took four shots. Holmgren taking two in this one felt eerily similar.
Advertisement
It wasn’t the only reason the Thunder lost, but it was the biggest one. No question about it. Before the series started, I wondered whether Holmgren was up for this battle when I wrote the following:
Holmgren struggled mightily against Wembanyama and the Spurs this season. It was a big reason why San Antonio took four of the five matchups, which I don’t put too much weight on, but it can’t be discounted entering this series. The Spurs know they can beat the Thunder. That’s half the battle.
OKC’s equation changes quite a bit if Holmgren emerges as a legit No. 2 scorer to take some weight off of Mitchell and Williams having to do that. He’s averaging 18.6 PPG on 60/39/88 shooting splits so far, but it’s not the Lakers, against whom he averaged 20 PPG with a big 24-and-12 showing in the clincher, or the Suns on the other side. It’s Wembanyama. Whole different ballgame.
Holmgren takes this Wemby matchup personal. Everyone knows that. He tried to do too much in their regular-season matchups, hunting his own buckets outside the offense. It’s a fine line, because has to be aggressive. OKC probably can’t win if he isn’t. Especially if Williams’ hamstring issues pop back up. If Holmgren gets badly outplayed by Wemby, OKC will have a pretty steep hill to climb.
Indeed, Holmgren was badly outplayed by Wembanyama. And in the end, the hill was too steep to climb.
At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.
Police detained dozens of people as crowds gathered across the French capital following PSG’s victory.
Large crowds gathered near the Arc de Triomphe after the match, with some fans setting off flares and blaring car horns, according to reports from The Associated Press.
Advertisement
Police worked to contain thousands of people gathered along the Champs-Élysées.
A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026, after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal that’s being played in Budapest.(AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
According to authorities, a group of individuals attempted to storm a police station in the French capital late Saturday.
The Paris police prefecture said some people vandalized shops, set fires and torched vehicles during the unrest.
Advertisement
A bakery and a restaurant were damaged during the disturbances, police said.
As of 10 p.m. local time, police had arrested at least 45 people.
Celebrations erupted across Paris after PSG defeated Arsenal in a dramatic Champions League final, securing one of the club’s biggest achievements on the European stage.
A car burns as PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026 after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.(AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Violent celebrations also followed PSG’s previous Champions League triumph. After the club won the title last year, 201 people were injured in Paris and more than 500 arrests were made across France.
A heartbroken but defiant Vinesh Phogat launched a stinging attack on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after failing to qualify for the Asian Games 2026, alleging that sections within the federation wanted her ‘to die’ while vowing to continue her fight against all odds. The former World Championships medallist saw her Asian Games hopes come crashing down after a 4-6 defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in the women’s 53kg semi-finals at the selection trials held here at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Moments after her defeat, the 31-year-old did not hide her frustration with the federation.
“WFI officials were cheering when I lost. Let them celebrate for now. I’m incredibly stubborn and driven, and setbacks only fuel my determination. I’ll make a comeback, and when I do, I’ll silence every doubter with my performance. Right now, the federation wants me to die quickly — that’s what they think,” Phogat told IANS after failing to qualify for the Asian Games.
Advertisement
Vinesh’s comments highlighted the ongoing tensions between her and the federation. Originally limited to the 50kg category, she was later permitted to compete in the 53kg trials after intervention by the Supreme Court and internal discussions within the WFI. Although she did not qualify, she clearly stated that she has no intention of giving up.
Vinesh’s run at the trials started strongly. After returning to competitive wrestling following a long break, she beat Jyoti 7-1 in her first match and then narrowly defeated Nishu 7-6 in a tense quarter-final, securing a spot in the semi-finals. With an Asian Games spot within reach, she entered the last-four match against Meenakshi Goyat full of momentum. However, Meenakshi remained resilient in a tight contest, winning 6-4 and ending Vinesh’s competition.
This defeat ends Vinesh’s attempt at a comeback and her opportunity to qualify for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, later this year. The loss wrapped up a tense and emotional 48 hours for the 31-year-old, who was only able to compete after interventions by the Supreme Court and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Vinesh participated in the trials amid significant uncertainty about her involvement. The WFI initially restricted her to the 50kg category, a rule she strongly contested. After discussions within the federation and steps taken by WFI president Sanjay Singh, the decision was changed on Saturday morning to allow her to compete in her preferred 53kg division.
Advertisement
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
That someone could easily have been Chet Holmgren. Should have been, even. The 7-foot-1 big man was a third-team All-NBA selection and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored more points for OKC this season.
Advertisement
It is hard to emphasize enough just how badly that idea worked out.
Advertisement
A potential duel with Victor Wembanyama might as well have been a shadow-boxing session, as Holmgren was a non-factor in the game that decided the Thunder’s season. He finished with 4 points on 1-of-2 shooting (two shots!) with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers.
He had his moments on defense, but OKC needed far more than a defensively inclined big man in Game 7. What’s more, both of those shots came in the Thunder’s first four possessions. He made a step-back jumper after deciding against challenging Wembanyama in the paint. He missed a float with Wembanyama waiting for him at the basket.
Advertisement
And then he didn’t take a shot for the rest of the game.
Advertisement
That’s not to say he didn’t get the ball. He just avoided doing anything with it while Wembanyama was looming. And the few times he did try to something, like on an iso with his team down five points in the fourth quarter, the results were… not star-level.
Maybe it’s unfair to expect Holmgren to do something he hasn’t all season. He is a shooter and finisher on offense, not a creator. With Williams and Mitchell out, OKC’s biggest problem in Game 7 was an offense that didn’t know what to do when Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have the ball. Holmgren has never been a ballhandler and this wasn’t exactly the best environment to give it a try.
Advertisement
However, we need to remember two things.
Advertisement
One, this is the player who has been frequently presented as a foil to Wembanyama, a physical freak approaching the absurdity of a 7-foot-4 Frenchman with guard handles. They are supposed to be rivals, and one of them decided it wasn’t even worth trying to go toe-to-toe in the biggest game of the season.
Two, Holmgren signed a five-year, $239 million max extension last year that goes into effect next season. If he can’t be something, anything, for the Thunder against the Wembanyama-era Spurs, there might be some re-evaluating to do in Oklahoma City.
Trade speculation was running rampant on social media before the game even ended. It could be a long offseason for the Thunder, which is suddenly facing the idea of a younger team that could blot out its future, much like OKC did to the West’s other contenders last year.
Advertisement
Advertisement
No single player should have his future judged off just one game (though this wasn’t a great series overall for Holmgren before Saturday, either). It’s simply a sign of how catastrophic Saturday was that a contender trading a 24-year-old All-NBA defensive anchor is even a conversation.
Pep Guardiola has managed his last match as Manchester City manager but has reportedly set his eyes on his next job
Pep Guardiola has reportedly ‘told friends’ that he wants to be England boss, just days after his departure from Manchester City was confirmed. The iconic manager has called time on a decade-long stint in Manchester, winning 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
The Daily Mail as per The Sun claim the outgoing City boss won’t return to club management any time soon, suggesting a recent Instagram post from Guardiola’s daughter was a retirement post, rather than a farewell to Manchester.
Advertisement
The report claims Guardiola has told close friends that he wants to take charge of the Three Lions one day, and although the former Barcelona and Man City boss is ‘prone to changing his mind hastily,’ he won’t be lining up a new job in domestic football.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
It’s previously been claimed that Guardiola wants to lead a nation to World Cup glory, having won all there is to win at club level.
However, the outgoing Man City boss may have to wait if he wants to take charge of England at a major tournament, given current boss Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Advertisement
The German head coach is set to take charge of England at his first major tournament this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Tuchel’s contract was set to expire after the tournament, but the FA agreed fresh terms with the former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea boss to extend his stay until the summer of 2028.
The Three Lions are preparing to jet off to the USA where they’ll face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages of the tournament.
Advertisement
As for City, they’re yet to name Guardiola’s successor, though his former assistant Enzo Maresca is the favourite to take over at the Etihad Stadium.
“When the club tell me who it is, of course I will call him,” said Guardiola when asked about his successor. “I will tell him, ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally’.
“That is the biggest compliment, or the biggest luck that all the managers who have been here have had. You will be protected in the bad moments more than any other club.
“Be yourself, be free, go with your ideas. Work a lot and everything will be fine.”
Seahawks assistant general manager Nolan Teasley appears during a team-produced feature on Seattle’s draft process and scouting operation. The episode highlighted the front office’s post-Combine evaluation work, showing how personnel staff review prospects, build assessments, and prepare for draft decisions. Before The Noise Episode 2. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t employed an official general manager since before the Super Bowl, firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 30th. Four months later — to the day — the franchise changed that, hiring Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks.
The man in charge in an interim capacity this offseason, Rob Brzezinski, will stay within the organization and retain a powerful role, largely responsible for the finances.
Vikings Add a Personnel-Driven Leader from Seattle’s Front Office
Seahawks assistant general manager Nolan Teasley speaks during a behind-the-scenes feature examining Seattle’s preparation for the NFL Draft. The video offered a look inside the club’s scouting and personnel departments, detailing how evaluators study prospects, compare grades, and build the team’s draft board following the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Vikings Hire Teasley
It’s official. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote Saturday, “The Minnesota Vikings have hired Nolan Teasley as their general manager, sources told NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero on Saturday, concluding an unusual chapter for the franchise. Teasley has spent the past 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he began as an intern and advanced to assistant general manager in 2023.”
Advertisement
“He replaces Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whom the Vikings fired Jan. 30, and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, who was also a candidate for the permanent job. Because they fired Adofo-Mensah so late in the process, the Wilfs — the Vikings owners — decided to tap Brzezinski, their longtime salary cap analyst and contract negotiator, to lead a temporary front office during the most important team-building time of the year.”
All told, Minnesota interviewed nine candidates for the vacant position, with Teasley as the last man standing.
Who’s Tealsey?
Advertisement
Teasley isn’t just some random name from the league’s executive directory. He’s been with the Seahawks since 2013, starting as a scouting intern and steadily climbing the ranks ever since.
He was slated for his 14th season with Seattle and fourth as assistant general manager, and Teasley has been busy. He previously spent five seasons as the Director of Pro Personnel, one year as the Assistant Director of Pro Personnel, and three seasons as a Pro Personnel Scout. The progression reflects a mighty journey up the front office ladder.
In Seattle, Teasley’s responsibilities were extensive. He collaborated closely with head boss John Schneider, the President of Football Operations and general manager, on player acquisition activities, including the draft, free agency, and trade discussions. Additionally, he oversaw football operations, worked with Seattle’s performance staff on roster development, and contributed to the team’s use of data in scouting.
This last aspect is particularly important. Modern front offices rely not only on traditional scouting reports but also on effective communication across scouting, research, and analytics. Teasley excels in this area, which is precisely the kind of crossover experience Minnesota evidently sought.
Advertisement
Moreover, Teasley’s background in pro personnel is sweet. In his previous roles, he played a key part in fine-tuning Seattle’s strategies for unrestricted free agency, the draft, the undrafted free-agent process, and year-round trade analysis.
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf looks over pregame activity from the field before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium. Wilf has overseen one of the franchise’s most successful and stable ownership eras, helping guide major organizational investments while maintaining a consistent commitment to roster building and facilities development. Dec. 8, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Overall, the Vikings essentially hired the guy with the best player scouting resume — perhaps blowback from Adofo-Mensah’s four underwhelming draft classes.
SKOR North‘s Thor Nystrome tweeted, “A+ hire — the one ‘outsider’ candidate, and one of the most respected evaluators in the NFL who wasn’t already a GM. An NFL source told me recently that Teasley would have already been a GM if he played politics. ‘Grinder’ and ‘innovator’ are two words commonly used to describe him.”
It’s also worth noting that the Vikings’ fan base universally approved of the hire on social media, which is tough to do in 2026 for any sports team.
Expect Share Authority
Advertisement
While Teasley will yield ample power, don’t expect head coach Kevin O’Connell and the aforementioned Brzezinski to fade from the decision-making spotlight. Seifert also tweeted, “The Wilfs view Nolan Teasley, Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski as a leadership team that features experts in their particular fields. 🔺”
Since Zygi and Mark Wilf bought the Vikings 20 years ago — yes, it’s been that long — the ownership group has craved a system of checks and balances more than most organizations. In fact, during their first six years, the Wilfs didn’t even employ an official general manager.
Expect a “triangle of authority” between Teasley, O’Connell, and Brzezinski.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis opined. “Why Nolan Teasley? The Vikings have a ton of respect for John Schneider, the way he operates, per sources. Teasley comes with college/pro evaluation experience and is respected in industry. Pairs with Rob Brzezinski & Kevin O’Connell as three experts in their areas.”
Advertisement
Brzezinski Not Going Anywhere
Before Adofo-Mensah’s termination, Brzezinski was known among fans as “the money guy” and “cap wizard.” All signs point to those nicknames remaining intact. SI.com‘s Albert Breer noted, “New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley will report directly to ownership, I’m told. And EVP of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who interviewed for the GM job, plans to stay and work with Teasley and HC Kevin O’Connell. New setup should give the team strong leadership in all 3 areas.”
Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski participates in an interview discussing Minnesota’s front-office structure, leadership philosophy, and long-term organizational planning. Widely respected for his salary-cap expertise, Brzezinski has spent decades helping shape the Vikings’ roster strategy while working alongside multiple general managers and coaching staffs. Feb. 17, 2022. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Brzezinski has worked for the Vikings since 1999 — one year after Minnesota drafted Randy Moss. If you were hoping for Brzezinski to stay on as the top boss, Saturday’s news shouldn’t be much of a letdown. He’s the Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
Teasley’s first tasks might look something like this:
Teasley is 42 — about the same age as O’Connell.
Advertisement
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Ocean Protect Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 13 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Manly Sea Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Manly head to Shark Park riding a wave of momentum and defensive confidence, with Kieran Foran helping steer a dramatic turnaround in recent weeks. The Sea Eagles are conceding barely two tries per game during their current stretch, a remarkable return in the modern NRL era, and their left-edge attack shapes as a major weapon against Cronulla’s vulnerable right side. The Sharks remain capable of explosive attacking football when Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combine fluently, but consistency has been harder to find. Cronulla’s home record keeps this matchup intriguing, although Manly’s ability to control field position and limit errors gives the visitors a slight edge in what shapes as one of the tighter contests of the round.
Cardiff lost head coach Matt Sherratt to Steve Tandy’s backroom staff just a few days before the season started, with forwards boss Corniel van Zyl making the step up to replace him.
“We’re proud of the boys from where we started the season into how we finished,” said van Zyl.
“To end up sixth, with 16 quality teams, I say would make us proud. Unfortunately we couldn’t push on to the next step and that’s the disappointing part.”
Van Zyl guided Cardiff to 11 league victories, with eight of those coming at their Arms Park home.
Advertisement
With only one URC win achieved outside of Wales this season, securing an unlikely play-off victory in South Africa against a former tournament winner was always going to be a tough ask.
The squad landing just a few days before the fixture after a 6,000-mile flight to Cape Town added to their task.
Cardiff flanker Dan Thomas has been one of the shining lights this season and again impressed against Stormers.
The open-side did not want to accept defeat but acknowledged the steps made in the 2025-26 campaign.
Advertisement
“Everyone was happy with how the season went, we made the play-offs which was important for the club, but no-one remembers who loses in quarter-finals,” Thomas told S4C.
“Making the play-offs is important for the club.
“It’s an odd one, we’re happy with how the season has gone, but you want silverware. It is back to the drawing board now and we need to start again.”
Cardiff have signed Australian veteran prop Scott Sio next season, which they will hope shores up a scrum taken apart by Stormers.
Advertisement
“It is obvious, our set-piece needs to improve,” said Thomas.
“The Stormers were dominant and we didn’t cope. We knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login