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Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is embroiled in a desperate bid to avoid a financially ruinous slide into the Championship. The club's current predicament is a result of internal sabotage, leadership burdens, and immense dissatisfaction among the rank and file. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Spurs are searching for their third head coach of the season, having already seen off Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. The club's hierarchy appears to be acting with a sense of urgency, but their approach has been chaotic and improvisational, with one ill-judged managerial appointment following another. Roberto De Zerbi, currently managing Brighton, has emerged as a potential candidate, despite reservations from three separate fan groups due to his public backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille. De Zerbi's managerial CV is marked by occasional incidents of insubordination, making him an unconventional choice for a team in crisis. However, he is believed to be interested in taking over at Spurs, albeit preferring to do so in the summer. The club is reportedly offering him tempting financial inducements to take the reins immediately and navigate the team through the relegation battle. The stakes are high, with Spurs currently hovering just one place and point above the drop zone. A winless season so far in 2026 has put the club on the brink of disaster. The next managerial appointment will be crucial in determining the club's fate, and fans will be anxiously waiting to see if the hierarchy can make the right decision.

Japan's national football team is gearing up to face England at Wembley Stadium, following a 1-0 win against Scotland in Glasgow. The team, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, is looking to build on their recent successes and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.The Japanese team has come a long way since their last-16 exit in the 2022 World Cup. With a focus on developing their skills and teamwork, they have won six and drawn one of their seven European tests under Moriyasu's leadership. A win against England would be a significant boost to their confidence and preparation for the World Cup.Kaoru Mitoma, a Brighton player, emphasized the team's ambitions, stating that they aim to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The team's victory against Scotland was a comfortable one, with Junya Ito scoring the winning goal. Mitoma expressed his excitement about playing against England, saying, 'Against England I want us to be even more aggressive in our defending and see how much we can win the ball back.'The team faces some challenges, including injuries to key players such as Wataru Endo and Takefusa Kubo. However, with a strong squad and a desire to prove themselves, Japan is determined to make a statement against England.

UConn's shock win over No 1 seed Duke on Sunday night to advance to the Final Four connected two disparate eras of college basketball. The game produced one of the greatest endings in NCAA Tournament history, with freshman Braylon Mullins's three-point heave from well beyond the arc sealing the 73-72 victory.The final 10 seconds of Sunday night's game evoked some of the greatest endings in tournament history, with Mullins and Silas Demary Jr's swarming of Cayden Boozer conjuring memories of UCLA's stunning 2006 comeback against Gonzaga and Villanova's 2016 national title win.UConn coach Dan Hurley praised his team's resilience, saying, 'We fought, we clawed, put ourselves in position to take advantage of a mistake that they made.' Mullins's game-winning shot will forever torment Duke fans, as the Blue Devils had led by 19 points in the first-half and No 1 seeds had been 134-0 when leading by 15 or more points in NCAA Tournament history.The win proved that recruiting and continuity still dictate success in college basketball, with UConn's senior Tarris Reed Jr. named the game's Most Outstanding Player after finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Reed's performance reminded fans of the era of dominant post players like Patrick Ewing and Dwight Howard.UConn's victory, coupled with their previous wins over Michigan State and St John's, showed that traditional powers can still thrive in an era of unlimited transfers and Name, Image and Likeness deals. Hurley's adaptability and UConn's roster, which included transfers Malachi Smith and Silas Demary Jr, demonstrated that an old-school approach can still yield success in modern college basketball.

Roy Hodgson, the veteran English football manager, has made a remarkable return to the sport at the age of 78. He has taken on an interim managerial role at Bristol City for the final seven games of the Championship season. Hodgson, who managed Crystal Palace until February 2024, was tempted out of retirement by Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief executive.Hodgson insists that he does not require a 'crutch' to manage the team, despite his advanced age. He believes that his general health is good, and he is probably fitter now than when he left Palace. Hodgson mentioned that he has been doing a lot of work at home, including using a gym and walking, which has helped him lose 5-6kg.The 78-year-old manager acknowledged that he must be cautious about the strains of the job, referencing the recent collapse of 80-year-old Romania head coach Mircea Lucescu. Hodgson joked that he has no intention of 'dying on the bench' like Jock Stein and will take necessary precautions to ensure his well-being.Hodgson's return to Bristol City comes 44 years after he was sacked by the club in 1982. He described his time at the club as a 'fond memory,' despite the financial difficulties they faced back then. Hodgson's second spell at Bristol City begins with a match against Charlton on Good Friday.The veteran manager's decision to return to football was influenced by conversations with his former assistant Ray Lewington. Hodgson emphasized that he aims to enjoy this period and will assess whether he has made the right decision after facing challenges ahead.

Tottenham Hotspur is on the verge of appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager following productive talks on Monday. The Italian coach has emerged as the club's top choice to replace Igor Tudor, who left his interim position on Sunday after failing to improve the team's form.De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with Marseille, is now the only viable candidate for the role, with Spurs not engaging with other potential candidates. The club aims to secure his services on a long-term contract, believing he can help them stay in the Premier League and build for the next season.The potential appointment of De Zerbi could also impact Mauricio Pochettino's chances of returning to the club. Pochettino, currently managing the US national team, had been considered for an emotional return to Spurs in the summer, but De Zerbi's possible arrival might rule out that move.De Zerbi's backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille has raised concerns among some Tottenham supporter groups. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape and assault in 2022, although the case was later discontinued. Despite these concerns, Spurs seem willing to overlook them to secure De Zerbi's appointment.The situation at Tottenham is critical, with the team currently one point and one place above the relegation zone and having gone 13 league matches without a win – their worst run since the 1934-35 season. De Zerbi's task would be to turn the team's fortunes around and secure their Premier League status.

The Adelaide 36ers have taken a significant step by filing a formal complaint with the National Basketball League (NBL) against Andrew Bogut, co-owner and assistant coach of the Sydney Kings. The complaint alleges that Bogut made persistent and repeated personal attacks on 36ers owner Grant Kelley, specifically targeting his weight.According to reports, the tension between Bogut and Kelley escalated after Adelaide’s victory in game two of the championship series. Kelley claimed that Bogut made comments about his weight in the tunnel, which Bogut has since disputed. In response, Kelley addressed the issue publicly, stating, “Let’s just say I’m the size of Akebono the sumo wrestler, that’s my journey, that’s my issue.”Kelley also suggested that Bogut’s behavior could be attributed to a power trip, given his stature as a three-time Olympian and former NBA player. The 36ers organization took these allegations seriously, emphasizing that body shaming is not a joke but a real source of anxiety and emotional distress.The Sydney Kings did not directly address the allegations but released a statement through their chief executive, Mark Thompson, emphasizing that the club does not support commentary that goes beyond the court. The NBL championship series has been highly competitive, with the 36ers needing a win in game four to keep their hopes of a first title since 2002 alive.

In a stunning turn of events, UConn eliminated No. 1 overall seed Duke from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, courtesy of Braylon Mullins's three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in their Elite Eight matchup. The Huskies trailed by 15 points at halftime and by two points with 10 seconds remaining, but a crucial turnover gave Mullins the opportunity to nail his three-pointer from beyond the arc, securing a spot in the Final Four.UConn will face Illinois in the national semi-finals. In the other Elite Eight game, Michigan rolled into the Final Four with a convincing 95-62 victory over Tennessee. Yaxel Lendeborg scored 27 points and Elliot Cadeau added 10 assists for the Wolverines, who posted their 11th victory of the season by at least 30 points. Michigan will face Arizona in Saturday's national semi-finals.Michigan's coach Dusty May led the Wolverines to their first Final Four since 2018 and ninth overall. Lendeborg, named the region's Most Outstanding Player, was 10 for 19 from the field and became the first Michigan player to score at least 23 points in three consecutive NCAA Tournament games since Juwan Howard in 1994. Tennessee's coach Rick Barnes acknowledged the team's progress but emphasized the need to improve to reach the next level.

Bath Rugby demonstrated their impressive squad depth with a thrilling comeback victory against Sale Sharks. Despite resting several key players, including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer, Bath conjured up two tries in the final quarter to clinch a bonus-point win.The match, played in difficult, windswept conditions, was an entertaining affair that could have gone either way. However, it was Alfie Barbeary's late try that sealed the win for Bath, putting his side only a point behind the leaders, Northampton.Kepu Tuipulotu, a 20-year-old hooker, was instrumental in the win, breaking on the left touchline and sending a delightful kick downfield for Bernard van der Linde to gather and score in the 62nd minute. This try was converted to level the scores at 26-26.Tuipulotu's performance was praised by Bath's head of rugby, Johann van Graan, who described him as “one of the most explosive players I’ve coached” with “huge potential”.Sale Sharks, missing several key players due to injury, were unable to capitalize on their strong start. Their director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, expressed his frustration, stating, “I’m crestfallen. I’m just gutted for the amount of effort that the lads put in”.The win keeps Bath in contention for a top-four spot, while Sale Sharks' hopes are all but extinguished. Bath will now look ahead to their Champions Cup last-16 home tie against Saracens on Saturday.

Curaçao, a tiny island nation with a population of 155,000, has been on a whirlwind journey since qualifying for their first World Cup last November. Their preparation for the 2026 tournament has been marked by geopolitical challenges, including a complicated flight to Australia for games against China and the Socceroos.The two teams meet in Melbourne on Tuesday, with Curaçao's coach, Fred Rutten, and his assistant, Roel Coumans, bringing a wealth of experience to the encounter. Coumans previously worked with the Socceroos under Bert van Marwijk and has insight into Australia's coaching dynamics.Curaçao's squad, largely comprised of players with Dutch backgrounds, boasts talented individuals like captain Leandro Bacuna and ex-Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong. Despite being ranked 76th in the world, Coumans is optimistic about Curaçao's chances, citing the team's eager and determined players.The Socceroos, on the other hand, are gearing up for their own World Cup campaign, with a tough opener against Germany on June 14. Curaçao's experience against European giants could prove valuable in their own preparations.As the teams prepare for their respective World Cup campaigns, this FIFA series serves as a crucial test for both Curaçao and the Socceroos. With plenty of goodwill expected from fans, particularly in Holland, Curaçao aims to make a lasting impression on the global stage.