Txiki Begiristain to leave role as director of football at Man City

Txiki Begiristain will step down as Manchester City’s director of football at the end of the season with Sporting Lisbon’s Hugo Viana replacing Pep Guardiola’s trusted advisor, the Premier League champions said Saturday. Begiristain joined City in 2012 after working in the same role at Barcelona between 2003 and 2010. The Spaniard was widely credited with convincing his former Barcelona team-mate Guardiola to become City manager in 2016.

Read more

Toyota return to F1 in partnership with Haas

Toyota are returning to Formula 1 for the first time since 2009 after signing a technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team that begins immediately. The Japanese manufacturer spent eight seasons in Formula 1 as a works team and engine supplier, scoring 13 podiums and achieving a best finish of fourth in the constructors’ championship. As part of the multi-year agreement, Haas and Toyota will “share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources”.

Read more

Brady bags winner as Ireland defeat Finland

Robbie Brady fired home an 88th-minute winner as the Republic of Ireland picked up their first victory under Heimir Hallgrimsson with a 2-1 win in Finland. Finland were gifted a first-half opener when Irish captain Nathan Collins underhit a back pass, which allowed Joel Pohjanpalo to race through and slot past Caoimhin Kelleher. However a second half fightback saw Liam Scales and Brady score to power Ireland to a crucial victory.

Read more

Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis

Rafael Nadal will bow out from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in November after announcing his retirement on Thursday. Nadal, who enjoyed legendary rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic throughout an illustrious career, has won 22 Grand Slam titles – including an astonishing 14 French Open crowns. The 38-year-old’s last major triumph came at the 2022 French Open.

Read more

Jürgen Klopp to become Red Bull’s global head of soccer

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed global head of soccer at Red Bull. The 57-year-old German will begin the role on 1 January 2025. Energy drinks brand Red Bull owns RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, as well as Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino.

Read more