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The Lead: Liverpool's Strategic Coaching Move Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Etienne Reijnen to their coaching staff, a move that would underline the club's continued support for Arne Slot despite recent pressure on the manager. Slot's position remains under scrutiny with Liverpool yet to secure Champions League qualification, but the club is backing his request to strengthen his backroom team. The Coaching Partnership: Reijnen's Background with Slot Reijnen played with Slot at PEC Zwolle and became the Liverpool head coach's assistant at Feyenoord in 2023. Slot wanted to bring the 39-year-old with him when first appointed at Anfield but work permit issues scuppered the move. A deal to reunite Slot with his former assistant has not been completed but is progressing, with Feyenoord's technical director seemingly confirming Reijnen's exit this week. The Salah Situation: Manager-Star Relations Under Pressure Slot refused to confirm the move but acknowledged his high regard for Reijnen. He also addressed the ongoing situation with Mohamed Salah, who has posted critical social media comments about the team's performance. Slot agreed with Salah on the importance of Champions League qualification, insisting Liverpool's focus must be on securing a top-five finish. Everton's Ambition: Moyes Calls for Summer Investment David Moyes says Everton need "a big summer" when the club's owners must show the ambition to push the team forward. The Everton manager admitted he is despondent over a poor end to the season that has squandered the opportunity to qualify for Europe. Having competed at the right end of the table for the first time in several years, Moyes believes the Friedkin Group's next moves will determine how far the team can progress. Resource Constraints: Everton's Financial Strategy Moyes clarified that "a big summer" might mean making just one top-quality signing rather than multiple transfers. "We are not a club to go and spend, as some other clubs do, £200m-£300m. We don't have that. We will need to dodge and weave a bit and hopefully make the right choices," he said. Everton visit Tottenham on the final day needing a result to secure a top-half finish. Merino's Recovery: From Mobility Scooter to Potential Title Glory Arsenal's Mikel Merino feared he might never play again after sustaining a stress fracture in "a very strange part of the foot where not even the specialists had seen before" that left him needing a mobility scooter for two months. The Spain midfielder is expected to be named in Luis de la Fuente's World Cup squad next week after returning to training. Mental Fortitude: Coping with Injury During Title Race Merino admitted it has been difficult to watch from the sidelines as his team closed on their first title for 22 years. "At the beginning I was a little scared," he said. "We didn't know what to expect, what path to take during the recovery and if I was going to be able to play again." The midfielder maintained a positive attitude, using the mobility scooter as "a fun way to see the light of day and enjoy time with the dog." Burnley's Challenge: Rebuilding After Third Relegation Mike Jackson has warned there are no guarantees Burnley will immediately return to the Premier League following the club's third relegation in five seasons. Since a five-year stay in the top flight, the Clarets have experienced multiple promotions and relegations, highlighting the competitive challenges of maintaining stability in England's top division.

The Return of Janez Jansa Slovenia's parliament has voted to bring back right-wing politician Janez Jansa as prime minister, after his last stint in power ended in 2022. The Parliamentary Vote Legislators in the 90-member assembly voted 51-36 for Jansa on Friday – marking a shift for the small European Union country recently run by a liberal government. Jansa will need to return to parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet. His appointment concludes a post-election stalemate after the vote two months ago ended in a tie. The New Coalition Government Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) signed a coalition agreement with several centre-right groups to form a new government, which now holds 43 seats in the assembly. The new coalition government is made up of the SDS, New Slovenia, Democrats, the Slovenian People’s Party and Focus. It also secured additional backing from the right-wing Resnica party, which will not formally join the government. Jansa's Future Goals In a speech laying out the government’s future goals, Jansa listed the economy, the fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralisation. He also promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare. The Impact of Jansa's Appointment Jansa is an admirer of US President Donald Trump and was also a close ally of Hungary’s former populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. During his last term in office, Jansa faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms, leading to protests then and scrutiny from the European Union. The Future Outlook It will be the fourth time 67-year-old Jansa has been in office, having previously led the country from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013 and 2020 to 2022.

The Lead: West Ham's Relegation Fate Hangs in the Balance West Ham United faces a critical moment as they prepare to face Tottenham with their Premier League status hanging by a thread. With 36 points - the highest total for a relegated team in a decade - they need a victory to have any realistic chance of avoiding the drop, even a draw would require an improbable 12-goal victory against Leeds United. The Managerial Carousel: From Moyes to Nuno West Ham's current predicament comes after a cycle of managerial changes since they initially parted ways with David Moyes. The Scot had twice saved the club from relegation and delivered their first major trophy in 43 years, yet the board sought a more "exciting" style of play. They turned to Manuel Pellegrini, who achieved a 10th-place finish, but when his second season unraveled, Moyes was brought back to steady the ship. After achieving sixth and seventh-place finishes under Moyes, plus winning the Europa Conference League, the club again sought change. Julen Lopetegui lasted six months, Graham Potter eight games, before Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed in September 2025 on a three-year contract. The Tactical Approach: Routine Amid Crisis As relegation looms, Nuno has maintained a steadfast approach, refusing to deviate from his routine despite the mounting pressure. "The same approach, the same routine, the same dedication," he stated. The matchday process remains unchanged: team meetings, tactical preparation, and maintaining team spirit through a "big hug" before kickoff. Nuno has emphasized focus on their own match rather than being distracted by other results, particularly the simultaneous Tottenham vs. Everton fixture that could further impact their fate. The Player Factor: Bowen's World Cup Snub The uncertainty surrounding West Ham's future has been compounded by the news that Jarrod Bowen, a key player who flourished under Moyes, was not included in Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad. Despite several call-ups, the winger's omission adds to the club's instability. Nuno spoke to Bowen following the announcement, telling him: "Life is like that, that some decisions you just have to respect." The manager emphasized that Bowen "doesn't have to prove anything" and needs to be "the best of him" for the crucial match against Tottenham. The Future: Potential Exodus and Managerial Uncertainty Should relegation be confirmed, Bowen is expected to be among several key players likely to depart the club. Nuno, who signed a three-year contract just last September, refused to commit to his future beyond Sunday's match. "Our future is Sunday," he stated, "After that we will assess everything that we have to assess." The situation underscores a broader pattern at West Ham: the pursuit of immediate success and exciting football has often undermined the stability that Moyes provided, leading to repeated crises that ironically bring them back to the manager they initially let go.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon A heart-wrenching story has emerged from Lebanon, where a displaced amputee is desperately seeking help. The individual, who has been forced to flee their home, is now facing an uncertain future. The Struggle for Displacement The amputee's question, 'where am I supposed to go?' echoes the sentiments of many displaced people in the region. Lebanon has been grappling with a severe refugee crisis, with many individuals forced to flee their homes due to conflict, poverty, or persecution. The Need for Support The situation highlights the urgent need for support and assistance for displaced people in Lebanon. The international community must come together to provide aid and shelter to those in need. A Call to Action As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential that we raise awareness about the plight of displaced people in Lebanon. By sharing stories like this, we can help bring attention to the issue and inspire action to support those in need.

The Lead: Guardiola's Legacy Beyond FootballPep Guardiola is more than a football manager, using his high-profile platform to highlight causes close to his heart. As he prepares to step away from Manchester City after 10 years and 20 trophies, the 55-year-old Spaniard leaves behind a legacy of advocacy that extends far beyond the "beautiful game."The Event Details: A Manager's Platform for Social ChangeLegendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly may have believed football was "much, much more important" than life or death, but for Guardiola, several things outside football matter almost as much. From Palestinian children to Catalan independence and homelessness in the United Kingdom, Guardiola has strayed outside the borders of his job to advocate for a diverse range of causes during his managerial career.Guardiola has made no bones about using his position as a podium to "speak up to be a better society." His most recent foray into sensitive political territory has been his passionate embrace of the predicament of Palestinian children in Gaza during the two-year war with Israel and their suffering in the aftermath.The Data Analysis: Impact and ControversyThe war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, has killed at least 72,568 people, including children from toddlers to late teens. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people still live in tents, with conditions remaining dire despite a ceasefire that came into effect in October.Guardiola's advocacy has not been without controversy. His remarks about Palestine prompted the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region to write a letter to Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, warning his comments put the lives of Jews in Manchester "in danger." Similarly, he was fined £20,000 ($27,000) by the Football Association in 2018 for wearing a yellow ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia.The Impact Analysis: Shaping Public DiscourseWhile Guardiola's advocacy has met with criticism from some quarters, it has also sparked important conversations about global issues. His willingness to speak out on sensitive topics has demonstrated how athletes and sports figures can use their platforms to draw attention to humanitarian crises and social justice issues.Guardiola's influence extends beyond his immediate audience. When he missed a pre-match news conference to attend a charity event for Palestinian children in Barcelona, his actions garnered international attention. Similarly, his support for the Salvation Army's Partnership Trophy, a five-a-side football tournament in Manchester that raises awareness of homelessness, has helped shine a light on this often-overlooked issue.The Prediction: The Future of Athlete AdvocacyAs Guardiola transitions from his managerial role, his legacy of advocacy may inspire other sports figures to follow suit. In an era where athletes are increasingly using their platforms for social and political causes, Guardiola's approach—unapologetic, consistent, and multifaceted—could become a model for how sports figures can leverage their influence for meaningful change.His willingness to address complex geopolitical issues, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, suggests that future athlete advocates may become more engaged with global affairs, recognizing their potential to shape public discourse and bring attention to underserved communities and causes.

The LeadFour races into the 2026 Formula One season, Mercedes arrives in Montreal with their first major technical upgrades, seeking to maintain their perfect record of four poles and four wins. As teams continue to adapt to the new regulations, the Canadian Grand Prix presents a unique challenge with its sprint format and distinctive circuit characteristics.Mercedes' Technical AdvantageMercedes has opened the season with a dominant car that has claimed all four poles and all four wins. With the new regulations offering enormous scope for improvement, the team brings their opening salvo of major parts to Quebec. While rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari have already implemented their first major upgrades in Miami, Mercedes' technical package could further solidify their position at the top of the grid.The Development RaceThe 2026 season is shaping up to be a fierce development fight as teams optimize their cars under the new regulations. In Miami, Red Bull and particularly McLaren made significant strides forward, with McLaren introducing a new front wing – a critical component in the aerodynamic battle. Team principal Andrea Stella estimated Mercedes still held about a tenth of a second advantage over McLaren in Miami, but with all teams continuously improving, the pecking order remains fluid.Driver DynamicsThe internal championship battle at Mercedes intensifies as 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli continues his impressive form, winning the last three races in a row to lead the world championship by 20 points over his more experienced teammate George Russell. Russell, the pre-season favorite, has faced questions about mounting pressure after managing only fourth place in Miami. The Canadian Grand Prix, a circuit where Russell has taken pole in the last two meetings and won last year, presents an opportunity for him to reassert himself in the title race.Circuit ChallengesThe Circuit Gilles Villeneuve presents a unique technical challenge with its long straights interrupted by short, stop-start chicanes and two hairpins at each end. Unlike high-speed circuits where aerodynamic developments are maximized, the Canadian track favors drivers who excel in technical precision rather than outright speed. The sprint weekend format adds another layer of complexity, with teams having only one practice session to assess and adjust around their new parts.Weather and Regulation FactorsTeams face additional challenges in Montreal, with temperatures potentially dropping to 11°C on Sunday and rain forecast – which would be the first competitive session these new cars have run in the wet. The lower temperatures and possible wet conditions could significantly impact tire performance and car handling. Meanwhile, off-track discussions continue about changing engine regulations, with manufacturers split between implementing changes for 2027 or 2028 to address driver dissatisfaction with the current power balance between combustion and electric components.

The Weekend's Premier Sporting EventsThis weekend brings a spectacular array of sporting events across different disciplines and continents. From football finals to tennis championships and Formula 1 racing, sports enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to as multiple seasons reach their climactic conclusions.Saturday's Football ExtravaganzaSaturday offers a full day of football action across multiple competitions. The Championship playoff final at Wembley sees Hull and Middlesbrough compete for the £200m prize of Premier League promotion, while in Scotland, Celtic seeks the Double against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final. The German Cup final features Bayern Munich against Stuttgart at Berlin's Olympiastadion, while the Women's Champions League final brings together Barcelona and OL Lyonnes in Oslo.Cricket Action: England vs New ZealandFollowing their seven-wicket victory in the opening T20 clash, where Alice Capsey played a starring role with an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls, England continues their T20 series against New Zealand at Canterbury. The three-match series comes after the teams drew their one-day international series 1-1.Formula 1 in Canada: Mercedes' Dominance Continues?The Canadian Grand Prix weekend kicks off with sprint race and qualifying sessions. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli holds a commanding 20-point lead in the standings after winning three of the first four races, including the most recent in Miami. His teammate George Russell looks to bounce back from a podium-less performance in Florida as Mercedes brings upgraded parts to their dominant car.Sunday's Football FinaleThe Premier League season concludes with 10 games kicking off simultaneously, with Tottenham and West Ham nervously awaiting their relegation fates. At Wembley, Stockport and Bolton contest the League One playoff final, adding another chapter to the end-of-season drama in English football.Key Matchups to WatchChampionship Playoff Final: Hull vs Middlesbrough at WembleyScottish Cup Final: Celtic vs Dunfermline at HampdenGerman Cup Final: Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart in BerlinWomen's Champions League Final: Barcelona vs OL Lyonnes in OsloCanadian GP Sprint Race: Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli looks to extend his championship lead

The Disco Legend Returns to the SpotlightLost in Music, He's the Greatest Dancer, Thinking of You and We Are Family – many artists would long for just one of these songs at any time in their career, but for Sister Sledge they all appeared on a single side of one of their albums. As she brings these and the rest of the disco group's still-sensational catalogue to the Electric Paradise festival this summer, Kathy Sledge will be joining us to answer your questions.The Rise of Sister SledgeKathy is one of four Sledge sisters along with Debbie, Joni and Kim, who formed the group as children in the mid-1960s, picking up gigs at churches and local events in their home city of Philadelphia as the Sledge Sisters. After flipping the name around, they got a record deal and their first chart success came in the UK in 1973, with the Top 20 hit Mama Never Told Me.The Chic Collaboration That Defined an EraFurther commercial success eluded them for a few years – though that's no reflection on the quality of early disco material such as Pain Reliever – until their label paired them with Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Sister Sledge's poise and charisma shone from the aforementioned hits the pair wrote for them, collected on the album We Are Family. The title track reached No 2 in the US and it, along with the others, endure as pinnacles of the disco era.Chart Success Through the DecadesRemixed versions of those songs came back around in 1984 and 1993, each to great success particularly in the UK, though the group's only UK No 1 single was in a very different style in 1985, with the swaying neo-60s pop of Frankie.A Solo Career and Continued PerformancesKathy took the lead vocal on some of their biggest hits, and after Sister Sledge went on hiatus in 1987, she had a solo career interspersed with occasional Sister Sledge reunions, and later – amid some legal wrangles with her sisters – solo tours of Sister Sledge material. Next up she'll perform at Electric Paradise in Milton Keynes, on 8 August, alongside other legends of the era such as Grace Jones, Candi Staton, Kool and the Gang and more.Your Questions for the Disco IconNow 67, Kathy has been in countless nightclubs and recording studios around the world across her multi-decade career, so there's plenty to ask her. Post your questions in the comments below before 6pm GMT on Wednesday, and we'll publish her answers later in the week.

The End of an EraPep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade in charge, the club has confirmed, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in English football and one of the most influential managerial reigns of all time.The departure of the 55-year-old Catalan coach will close the book on a remarkable chapter that has seen City transform into a footballing juggernaut. Guardiola had arrived in Manchester with a resume already stuffed with silverware from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini in July 2016.The Trophy-Laden ReignGuardiola, who took charge of City in 2016, has won six Premier League titles – including four in a row – three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League, but his side have not won the league in two years.Although City sealed the domestic cup double this season, Guardiola saw his dreams of a seventh Premier League crown dashed when they drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday to hand Arsenal the title, with City set to finish second. His final game in charge is Sunday's home fixture against Aston Villa.The Tactical RevolutionAfter inheriting a successful club financed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Guardiola will walk away having built a footballing empire after overseeing a paradigm shift in Premier League tactics. As Guardiola faced the challenge of adapting to England's famously fast-paced and physical league, possession became an art form and a defensive tool at City as his teams craved complete control.The result was not just utter dominance – evidenced by record-breaking campaigns like the 100-point 2017-18 season with 106 goals scored – but also relentless consistency year after year, including a record four league titles in a row. Guardiola's squads set new standards, forcing other teams to evolve, while City's financial muscle, combined with shrewd signings such as the much-sought-after striker Erling Haaland helped deliver the treble in 2022-23.The Changing LandscapeHowever, the spectre of the 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules looms large over his tenure at the club. His rivalry with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp raised the bar in the Premier League so high that even 97 points proved insufficient for the Anfield side to claim the title in 2018-19.More recently, Guardiola has faced a challenge from his protege and former coaching assistant Mikel Arteta, who took charge at Arsenal and finished second behind City twice before ultimately winning the trophy this season.The Guardiola LegacyGuardiola looked back fondly at his time in Manchester, remembering how the city came together after the Manchester Arena attack while also describing how the club helped him through a tough period when he lost his mother to COVID."The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most," he added. "Players don't forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don't know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.""Don't ask me the reasons I'm leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it's my time," Guardiola said in a statement on Friday. "Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City."