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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN CONFIRMS SIGNING OF LEEDS UNITED COACH

Huddersfield Town have confirmed Carlos Corberan as their new head coach.

The club sacked Danny Cowley on Sunday, received permission from West Yorkshire neighbours Leeds United to speak to their highly-rated first-team coach and under-23 supremo earlier this week.

A compensation deal was subsequently thrashed out and now that the 2019-20 regular season is out of the way and Corberan’s commitments with Leeds are over, Town have moved swiftly to announce the appointment of the 37-year-old.

Corberan’s assistants will be named ‘in due course.’

Valencia-born Corberan joined Leeds in 2017, initially as under-23 coach.

His side won the Professional Development League in 2018-19 with the Spaniard also promoted to first-team coach to work under Marcelo Bielsa last season.

Corberan turned down the chance to manage Spanish side Cultural Leonesa last summer.

Huddersfield chairman Phil Hodkingson stated that Town were looking ‘for a different vision for the way we operate the club’ following the surprise decision to axe Cowley, shortly after the club confirmed their Championship safety following a 2-1 victory over West Brom last Friday.

Tellingly, Huddersfield added that they were not accepting applications, indicating that they already had a candidate in mind to replace Cowley.

On the decision to plump for Corberan, Town’s Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby explained: “We are very happy to be able to welcome Carlos as our new head coach today, in what is undoubtedly a very important appointment for Huddersfield Town.

“After two difficult seasons, we have put a lot of thought and work into what we want to be and how we operate moving forward.

“Obviously, we need to return to winning games, and to be successful we must have all areas of the club aligned in the way we work. We want to return to the ‘No Limits’ mentality that served this club so well back in 2017. We must start believing in ourselves and our people once again; players and staff alike.

“Carlos was our ideal candidate for our new head coach from the outset, as his idea of football is completely aligned with ours.

“He is very strong on the need for a team to have a strength of identity on the pitch; a way of playing that leaves players in no doubt on their roles when they step foot onto the grass. He believes in a high energy, high intensity, attacking style of play.

“He is a coach whose focus is on working to improve players. Like us, he has a real belief in young players too, and desire to work with them to help them thrive.

“He’s incredibly passionate about this opportunity, and he has real belief in himself. He’s determined to bring success back to Huddersfield Town.”

Corberan began his career in the setup at Spanish giants Valencia, taking responsibility for the training methodology in their Academy before quickly progressing to work with the first team under the likes of Unai Emery and Manuel Pellegrini during the Club’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.

Under the recommendation of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Carlos then travelled overseas to become assistant head coach at Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, where he gained experiences in the Asian Champions League.

Corberan’s first experiences as a head coach followed in Cyprus, where he took charge of Doxa Katokopia and then Ermis Aradippou, who he steered to safety in the division.

Through his work at the prestigious Aspire Academy in Qatar, he then joined Leeds ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

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football Sports News

LEEDS DEFEND OPEN TOP BUS CELEBRATION AFTER CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE VICTORY

Leeds United have defended their decision to park an open top bus outside Elland Road to celebrate their Championship title and promotion to the Premier League despite telling fans to stay away.

Club officials had asked people to stay away from the stadium but thousands of people turned up to celebrate their first season in back in the Premier League after 16 years

Chief executive Angus Kinnear had told fans that they would “celebrate in style” when they could but still fans gathered after their 4-0 win against Charlton.

However, the club later said in a statement that they believed players appearing would help disperse the crowds.

“Following consultation with the Safety Advisory Group and council, Leeds United arranged for a bus to be parked outside the East Stand reception as a contingency to assist dispersal should a crowd congregate at Elland Road, despite a month-long campaign from the club and supporter groups to encourage supporters to stay at home,” the statement said.

“The safety group believed that a brief appearance from the players with the Championship trophy would help to signal an end to proceedings, encouraging fans to head home safely.

“In challenging circumstances, fan safety has always been our priority.”

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football Slides Sports News

Juventus lose 2-1 at Udinese, fail to secure Serie A title

Ilija Nestorovski cancelled out Matthijs de Ligt’s opener and Seko Fofana grabbed the winner in second-half stoppage time to keep Juve’s celebrations on ice.

Juventus missed a chance to clinch a record-extending ninth straight Italian league title as it lost 2-1 at relegation-threatened Udinese on Thursday.

Ilija Nestorovski cancelled out Matthijs de Ligt’s opener and Seko Fofana grabbed the winner in second-half stoppage time to keep Juve’s celebrations on ice.

“We lost order, even after the draw, because we wanted to win at all costs,” Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri said. “In this way, we took the game to a dangerous level, and after the 90th minute, we lost it.”

Juventus remained six points clear of second-place Atalanta and can secure the title with a win over Sampdoria on Sunday.

It could even be crowned earlier if Atalanta loses at AC Milan on Friday and Inter fails to win at Genoa on Saturday.

“In this period we are physically and mentally tired, and it is a problem common to all,” Sarri said. “For this reason, being aggressive is something more tiring and, therefore, now what matters most is order … It is difficult to keep it throughout the match and sometimes, like today, we lose it.”

The points could prove crucial for Udinese as it went seven points clear of the relegation zone, with three rounds remaining.

Juventus knew a victory at Udinese would secure the title as the Bianconeri hold the tiebreaker over Atalanta courtesy of a better head-to-head record.

It seemed to be going to plan for Juventus when it took the lead three minutes before halftime. A defensive header out came straight to De Ligt and he took one touch before firing powerfully into the bottom left corner.

However, Nestorovski leveled seven minutes after the restart when he headed in Ken Sema’s cross.

Both sides struggled to create clear scoring opportunities but, just as it seemed headed for a draw, Fofana burst downfield from near the halfway line and slotted past Wojciech Szczęsny.

TOP SCORER

Ciro Immobile boosted his hopes of finishing the season as the league’s top scorer with the winning goal in Lazio’s 2-1 victory against Cagliari.

Immobile finished off a brilliant pass from Luis Alberto on the hour mark for his 31st goal of the season, one more than Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

His goal came five minutes after Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno had pushed Immobile’s effort out off the post.

Sergej Milinković-Savić had netted the equalizer for Lazio with a powerful volley shortly after the break. Giovanni Simeone’s effort was deflected in on the stroke of halftime to give Cagliari the lead.

The victory secured Lazio a spot in next season’s Champions League with the capital side now guaranteed at least fourth place in Serie A.

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boxing Slides Sports News

Mike Tyson, 54, to make boxing comeback in September

Mike Tyson is returning to the boxing ring. He is set to fight Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition match on September 12.

Former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is making a comeback to the ring. Tyson will fight Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition on September 12.

Tyson (50-6), 54, hasn’t fought since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, fifteen years ago.

On his Legends Only League website, Tyson announced the bout against Jones, a 51-year-old fighter. “It’s just going to be amazing,” Tyson said.

Tyson caught the attention of the boxing world in May this year when he posted a short video of a workout that showed he possesses plenty of the punching power and speed, which qualities had allowed him to become the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles.

Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the title in 1986 at age 20 and for a time was the most feared fighter in boxing. But his career became littered with distractions and he hasn’t boxed since 2005 after losing his second straight fight.

Jones, 51, won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight before moving up to win the heavyweight title in 2003, becoming the first former middleweight champion to do so in 106 years.

The event will air on pay-per-view and the social media music platform Triller. Further matches on the card and musical entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tyson had said then that he was considering a return to the ring for some exhibition bouts to raise money for charity.

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football Sports News

LEEDS CONFIRM RECORD BREAKING ADIDAS KIT DEAL AHEAD NEXT SEASON

Leeds United have confirmed that adidas are their new official kit partner in a record-breaking deal for the club.

The Whites are back in the Premier League for the first time in 16 years after winning the Championship.

And with owner Andrea Radrizzani already hinting at moves for the likes of Edinson Cavani, it would appear that Leeds are ready to return to the big time with a bang.

adidas will replace Kappa as the club’s kit provider from next season, with the club issuing the following statement.

It read: “In a record-breaking deal for the club, adidas will produce both playing and training kit for all Leeds United teams over the next five years.

“Adidas becomes our official kit partner for the first time in our history. In what will mark a new era in the Premier League, following our Sky Bet Championship winning centenary season.

“Along with our official playing and training kit, apparel from adidas will also be available both via our online retail website and at our Elland Road superstore, Leeds/Bradford Airport, Merrion Centre, Trinity Leeds and White Rose Centre stores, along with the adidas website and selected stores.”

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear added: “We are excited adidas has become our official kit partner.

“We’re looking forward to our return to the Premier League with anticipation next season. And partnering with adidas represents a new beginning for the club.

“At Leeds United we continue to grow on and off the pitch. And this record-breaking deal is another important step for the club.”

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MANCHESTER UNITED DIDN’T GIVE ME MORE TIME LIKE THEY DID SOLSKJAER – MOYES

West Ham United manager David Moyes have said that his Manchester United counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is building an exciting team having been given time on the job, something the Scot felt he was not afforded at Old Trafford.

Moyes, who replaced long-term United manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, was dismissed after only 10 months in charge.

“Ole had a difficult start, but the difference between Ole and me is that he’s being given time. He’s bringing players in from the academy, which United have always stood for,” Moyes told a news conference.

“They have got really exciting young players of their own now… It’s a wonderful club and a brilliant place to be, and the biggest club in the world, for me. It’s always a special place to go and I’m looking forward to going back.”

Solskjaer’s United were on an unbeaten run of 19 matches in all competitions before losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

West Ham have won their last two league games, scoring seven goals to climb to 16th on 37 points, with two rounds remaining and Premier League survival in sight.

Moyes said Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek, who joined on loan from Slavia Prague in January, was part of his future plans.

“He’s a West Ham player, simple as that,” Moyes said.

The Hammers forced United to a draw on Wednesday night, making Solskjaer’s men wait till the final game day to earn a champions league spot.

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football Sports News

Villereal hire Emery

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been appointed as manager of La Liga side Villarreal on the three-year deal.

The 48-year-old Spaniard succeeds Javi Calleja, who left the club despite a fifth-placed finish that secured a Europa League spot.

Emery has been out of work since being sacked by Premier League Arsenal in November after 18 months in charge.

He has managed Sevilla and Valencia in the Spanish top flight, as well as Paris St-Germain in France.

Emery took over from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in May 2018 after winning three successive Europa Leagues with Seville and a Ligue 1 title with PSG.

But he was dismissed by the Gunners after their worst run without a victory for 27 years.

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F1

Ferrari annouces restructure

Ferrari have restructured their technical department in the wake of a disappointing performance at the start of the 2020 season.

Head of aerodynamics Enrico Cardile will lead a newly created performance development department.

And there is a more prominent role for Rory Byrne, who was chief designer when the team dominated the early 2000s.

The idea is to “speed up the design and development on the car-performance front,” team boss Mattia Binotto said.

The moves come after Ferrari started this season with a car more than a second a lap slower than that of the world champions and pace-setters Mercedes, and are a recognition that the team’s design structure was flawed.

The idea is to create a more vertical organisation and clearly assign responsibility.

Ferrari said in a statement they were “instituting a chain of command that is more focused and simplified and provides the heads of each department the necessary powers to achieve their objectives”.

Ferrari had previously been operating a flatter management structure with shared responsibility, but have abandoned this idea to ensure specific people are clearly in charge of each area.

Ferrari believe their team has now shifted to a more similar structure to those employed at Mercedes and Red Bull.

Under Binotto, the key figures alongside Cardile are power-unit boss Enrico Gualteri, sporting director Laurent Mekies and chassis engineering boss Simone Resta.

The return of Byrne to a more prominent role is especially notable.

The 76-year-old South African, regarded as one of the great designers of the last 30 years, had moved into a more background role since being brought out of semi-retirement to help Ferrari with the design of their car when Formula 1 last brought in a major regulation change in 2017.

Byrne will now focus mainly on the design of the 2022 car, when F1 is introducing arguably the biggest regulation change for decades, with an entirely new aerodynamic approach aimed at making the cars able to race more closely together.

Binotto said: “We have started to lay the foundations of a process which should lead to a new and enduring winning cycle.

“It will take some time and we will suffer setbacks like the one we are experiencing right now in terms of results and performance.

“However, we must react to the shortcomings with strength and determination to get back to being at the very top of this sport as soon as possible.”

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football Sports News

West Brom promoted to the premier League

West Bromwich Albion won promotion back to the Premier League despite failing to beat QPR in their final Championship game of the season.

A point at The Hawthorns was enough for Slaven Bilic’s Baggies to go up in second place behind Leeds United, thanks to Brentford’s home defeat by Barnsley.

Albion’s draw would have been enough anyway, but Barnsley’s winner gave the Baggies a two-point cushion.

Ryan Manning put QPR ahead before Albion turned it round with goals either side of the break from Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson.

Eberechi Eze’s stunning equaliser earned Rangers a point but was not enough to deny Albion a record fifth promotion to the Premier League.

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Chelsea drop to fourth as they lose to liverpool

Liverpool celebrated receiving the league trophy for the first time in 30 years in style as the new champions overcame Chelsea in a thriller at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson – currently out injured – was presented with the trophy by Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish on a special podium built on the Kop after Jurgen Klopp’s side made it three full unbeaten Premier League seasons at Anfield.

Chelsea, who now need a point from their final game at home to Wolves on Sunday to confirm a place in the top four – and next season’s Champions League – started well.

But Liverpool moved through the gears after Naby Keita broke the deadlock with a rising 25-yard drive that thundered in off the bar, and they added further first-half goals – a fine Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick and Georginio Wijnaldum’s powerful strike.

Olivier Giroud scrambled in for Chelsea on the stroke of half-time but their hopes of a comeback appeared to be snuffed out 10 minutes after the break, when Roberto Firmino headed in his first league goal of the season at Anfield from Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

Substitute Christian Pulisic then had a dramatic impact as he sparked a Chelsea fightback, creating a goal for Tammy Abraham then scoring another himself on the turn as this entertaining game took an unexpected turn.

To the thunderous sound of fireworks being let off outside Anfield by celebrating fans, the champions pressed forward again and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slammed home the fifth from Andy Robertson’s cross with six minutes left.

And then it was time for the ceremony Liverpool have waited three decades to enjoy – albeit conducted in the somewhat surreal surroundings of a virtually empty stadium.