Sports
Andoni Iraola named new Liverpool manager after Slot departure
Andoni Iraola was tapped on Thursday to be the new manager of Liverpool, which turned to the former Bournemouth coach whose intense and heavy-pressing playing approach resembles the ideology that brought the team so much success under former Anfield favorite Jurgen Klopp.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, who has signed a deal for an undisclosed length, left his job at Bournemouth at the end of the recently completed season after a three-year spell that boosted his reputation.
The unheralded south-coast team finished sixth in the Premier League, going unbeaten in their last 18 games, and qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.
Iraola replaces Arne Slot, who was fired by Liverpool last Saturday following a troubled second year in charge after emulating the likes of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte by winning the Premier League title in his first season. That took Liverpool to a record-tying 20 English league championships.
Iraola said he was joining “a special club.”
“You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool,” he said.
“But obviously, the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”
Concerns about Liverpool’s style of play under Slot – the team lost 12 games in a disappointing title defense – were laid bare in a critical social-media post by departing superstar Mohamed Salah that called for the club to “go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear.”
Tellingly, it was liked by a number of current Liverpool players.
In going for Iraola, who likes a hard-running and pressing approach previously favored by the popular Klopp in his trophy-laden spell at Liverpool from 2015-2024, the club’s leadership appears to have taken Salah’s message on board.
Appointment not without risk
The appointment – overseen by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who was working at Bournemouth when Iraola was hired there in 2023 – doesn’t come without risk, though.
Iraola has never managed a club anywhere as big as Liverpool, with his only jobs before Bournemouth coming in brief spells in charge at AEK Larnaca in Greek Cyprus and second-tier Mirandes in Spain before a three-year stint at Rayo Vallecano.
He also has never won a major trophy or had to balance the demands of elite domestic and European competitions.
However, Liverpool wanted a manager who would play a more “aggressive and urgent” style of soccer and Iraola fits the bill, even if his off-field persona – unassuming, reserved – couldn’t be more different from that of the more outgoing and in-your-face Klopp.
Iraola takes over a team in transition, with the offseason departures of Salah and Andy Robertson leaving Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker as the only remaining senior members of the brilliant team that Klopp led to the Champions League title in 2019 and the Premier League trophy the following year.
Liverpool spent an unprecedented $570 million to strengthen the squad in the last offseason but only finished in fifth place in an underwhelming Premier League title defense to squeeze into the Champions League, a competition Iraola has never managed in.
Iraola is the latest coach born in Spain’s Basque region to take over a top English club, following in the footsteps of Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and most recently Xabi Alonso (Chelsea).
Maja Chwalinska continued her fairytale run to make French Open history on Thursday as she beat Diana Shnaider in straight sets to become the first qualifier to go all the way to the final at Roland Garros in the professional era.
The 24-year-old’s 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 victory over Russian 25th seed Shnaider made her only the second woman to come through qualifying and reach a Grand Slam final in any major since the Open era began, after Emma Raducanu’s title run at the U.S. Open in 2021.
Polish world number 114 will meet Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s title-decider. The 19-year-old Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final after sealing a 6-1, 6-3 win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk earlier on Thursday.
Appearing in her first main draw in Paris, Chwalinska, who had on three previous occasions failed to qualify for Roland Garros, has won nine matches across her three-week French Open campaign to stand on the brink of glory.
Chwalinska said her run to the final was “like a dream” moments after beating Shnaider.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I just, I dunno what to say. I’m sorry, I’m just very happy,” she added to raucous applause on Court Philippe Chatrier.
One aspect of run to the final has been the ice-cold composure she has displayed on court across all her matches.
“I’m crazy sometimes also, yeah,” Chwalinska said of her emotions.
“But I try to stay composed because I know it’s the best way for me… But inside there’s a storm, believe me.”
In an intriguing clash of styles between the variety of Chwalinska’s game and the power-hitting of Shnaider, it was the diminutive Pole who earned the first break to get 3-1 ahead.
A deft dropshot followed by a beautifully disguised deep backhand slice helped bring three break points; she converted the first when Shnaider drove a forehand into the tramlines.
The Russian hit back straight away to wipe out the break, even drawing an admiring thumbs-up from Chwalinska after a perfectly-weighted backhand dropshot.
A wild forehand by Chwalinska gave Shnaider daylight at 3-1 in the tie-break, but the patient Pole won six of the next seven points to claim the opener.
With the sun peeking through the sides of the roof on center court, the pair exchanged breaks of serve to start the second set.
Shnaider called for a medical timeout to receive a back massage when leading 4-3.
Chwalinska began drawing the rallies out in response and promptly broke Shnaider in the Russian’s next service game to move to the edge of victory.
She sealed her spot in the final with a forehand winner.
“I will give my all, it’s a Grand Slam final,” Chwalinska said.
“Let me enjoy this moment for now… I just want to breathe a little, enjoy it today, then just recover as best I can,” she added of preparations for her 10th and final match of the tournament.
Lamine Yamal is now being priced at the summit of world football, with advanced valuation models placing the Barcelona and Spain winger above every other player on the planet, including estimates that surpass 350 million euros ($406 million).
The 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who rose through Barcelona’s academy system, has rapidly evolved from teenage debutant into a defining figure for both club and country. Born in Esplugues de Llobregat in 2007, Yamal has already accumulated a resume that belies his age, combining elite production with consistency in the sport’s biggest moments.
His rise has been tracked not only through performances but also through sharply diverging valuation models that attempt to quantify modern football’s most complete talents.
Transfermarkt, a widely referenced benchmark in the sport’s market ecosystem, listed him at around 200 million euros in late 2025, placing him alongside established global stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
More aggressive projections, however, tell a different story.
The CIES Football Observatory, which relies on statistical modeling that factors in performance output, age curves, contract length, and market dynamics, has valued Yamal significantly higher. Its estimates have ranged from roughly 343 million euros in early 2026 to more than 400 million euros in earlier assessments, driven by his rare combination of youth, output, and long-term contractual security at Barcelona.
Yamal’s contract situation is a central driver of that valuation.
Tied to a long-term deal that runs into the next decade and protected by a reported 1 billion-euro release clause, he represents both a sporting cornerstone and a financial shield for Barcelona.
On the pitch, his impact has matched the hype. Yamal has delivered decisive performances in La Liga, the Champions League, and international competition with Spain national football team.
He played a key role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph and has continued to elevate his output under Hansi Flick, producing goals, assists, and match-defining moments in high-pressure fixtures, including El Clásico and European knockout ties.
His statistical profile underscores why models rate him so highly. Elite take-on success, progressive carries, chance creation in tight spaces, and end product in final third situations have made him one of the most complete attacking wingers in the game despite his age. That production, paired with longevity projections that stretch well into the next decade, amplifies his market ceiling.
The comparison with his peers is increasingly stark. While Jude Bellingham, Florian Wirtz, Kylian Mbappe, and Haaland remain central figures in global valuation discussions, Yamal’s age advantage and current output place him at the top of several analytical models. In many projections, he is not just the most valuable young player, but the most valuable player overall.
Still, football valuations remain estimates rather than fixed prices. Actual transfer fees depend on negotiation dynamics, club willingness to sell, and broader market conditions. In Barcelona’s case, there is no indication the club views him as anything other than untouchable.
Beyond the numbers, Yamal has become a symbol of La Masia’s continued production line of elite talent and Barcelona’s long-term sporting identity. His style, built on direct dribbling, creativity, and confidence in decisive moments, has drawn frequent comparisons to past generational forwards, even as he continues to carve out his own identity.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Yamal is expected to be one of the central figures of the tournament. If his trajectory continues, he will not only define matches but also reshape how the sport defines value at its highest level.
Fenerbahçe president Sadettin Saran was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison on Thursday by an Istanbul court in a case involving allegations of promoting illegal betting through football broadcast content, a ruling that also covers his brother and deepens an already complex legal dispute surrounding the media executive and club leader.
The decision was handed down by the Istanbul 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance following a trial in which prosecutors accused Saran and his brother, Alan Kenan Saran, of facilitating and promoting unauthorized sports betting advertisements through televised match coverage distributed via the S SPORT streaming platform.
The court also imposed a TL 562,500 ($12,235)judicial fine on both men.
Judges ruled that the defendants were guilty of encouraging participation in betting and gambling tied to sporting events, specifically through advertising practices embedded in match broadcasts.
Two additional defendants in the case, Emre Eren and Azade Zeynep Haksal, were acquitted.
The case centered on allegations that illegal betting advertisements were displayed during football matches through both physical and digital means.
Prosecutors said the ads appeared on stadium perimeter boards and as virtual overlays placed behind goals, arguing that the broadcasts reached large audiences and effectively normalized betting behavior across a broad viewer base.
In the indictment, prosecutors relied in part on findings requested from Türkiye’s broadcasting regulator RTÜK, which reviewed match transmissions aired in 2023 under Saran Internet Television Broadcasting Inc.
The findings concluded that unauthorized betting promotions were present in streamed football content and were not properly licensed under Turkish regulations governing gambling advertisements.
Prosecutors further argued that such content carried significant social impact due to its reach, describing widespread betting promotion in sports broadcasts as harmful and influential, particularly among younger audiences.
The indictment referred to betting content as having a “digital drug” effect, reflecting concerns over its accessibility and normalization through mainstream sports coverage.
The prosecution also argued that responsibility extended beyond operational staff to senior executives who had oversight of programming decisions.
It said that company leaders who had knowledge of and approved broadcasts containing illegal advertising could be held jointly liable for the content distributed under their authority.
Saran and his co-defendants denied the allegations throughout the proceedings and requested acquittal at the final hearing.
Their defense team argued that the charges were unfounded and sought dismissal of the case.
Prosecutors had initially sought prison sentences ranging from one to five years depending on each defendant’s level of involvement and whether the conduct was repeated.
The ruling increases legal pressure on the media executive, whose brief tenure at Fenerbahçe has already faced scrutiny, including earlier allegations a few months ago linked to narcotics use and possession.
Türkiye’s long-awaited World Cup return is entering its final stretch, with the national team closing preparations with a final tune-up against Venezuela on Saturday in Florida before heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, marking the last test for Türkiye national football team before a tournament that ends a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
24 years later
Türkiye last appeared at a World Cup in 2002, when it finished third under Şenol Güneş, its best ever result. The 2026 return has reignited national expectations after a strong qualifying campaign.
Under head coach Vincenzo Montella, appointed in 2023, the team finished second in UEFA Group E behind Spain.
Despite a heavy 6-0 loss to Spain, Türkiye responded with statement wins over Georgia and Bulgaria and secured qualification through the playoffs, edging Romania and Kosovo with narrow 1-0 victories.
Montella’s side has built its identity on high pressing, quick transitions, and tactical flexibility, blending experienced leaders with a new generation of talent.
Final tests before challenge
The Venezuela friendly follows a dominant 4-0 win over North Macedonia in Istanbul, where goals came from Orkun Kökçü, Can Uzun, Deniz Gül, and Barış Alper Yılmaz.
Türkiye has been drawn into a competitive Group D featuring the United States, Paraguay, and Australia.
The schedule begins June 13 against Australia in Vancouver, followed by matches against Paraguay and the United States in California.
Montella views the Venezuela match as a final calibration point, focusing on rhythm, set pieces, and squad balance ahead of a demanding group stage.
Squad balance and emerging core
The 26-man squad announced earlier this week reflects a mix of European experience and rising stars.
Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu anchors midfield control, supported by Orkun Kökçü and Salih Özcan.
In attack, attention centers on Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, part of a young core expected to define Türkiye’s next era.
They are joined by Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Barış Alper Yılmaz, and Can Uzun, offering depth and versatility across the frontline.
Defensively, the squad features Merih Demiral, Çağlar Söyüncü, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu, providing experience and European pedigree.
Final reality check
Venezuela, ranked outside World Cup qualification, arrives as a physical and compact opponent, known for defensive discipline and counterattacking threat.
The meeting is the first senior clash between the two nations.
For Türkiye, the match offers a final opportunity to refine tactical patterns and manage fitness before travel to the team’s Arizona base camp.
A convincing performance would further fuel belief around a squad many see as one of Türkiye’s most gifted in decades.
After 2002’s breakthrough generation, expectations are rising again, driven by a blend of established European stars and emerging talent.
L’Etape Marmaris by Tour de France will bring one of the world’s most recognized amateur cycling series to the southwestern Turkish coast on June 6-7, 2026, turning the resort district of Marmaris into a two-day showcase of endurance racing, tourism, and international sport.
Organized under the umbrella of the Amaury Sport Organisation, the event is part of the global L’Etape Series, which allows everyday cyclists to experience race conditions modeled on the Tour de France with professional-grade organization, full road closures, timing systems, and race support.
Held in Marmaris, the event marks the second Turkish destination in the series after Istanbul, underscoring the country’s growing profile in international cycling tourism. The race is organized in collaboration with Turkish event partner 78 Event and supported by Marmaris Municipality, with promotion expected across roughly 90 countries.
The weekend action will be centered at 19 Mayıs Gençlik Meydanı in central Marmaris, beginning on Saturday, June 6, with a community-focused public ride. The 6.6-kilometer non-competitive loop starts at 11:00 and is open to all ages and abilities. The flat course winds through central Marmaris streets, designed to encourage participation and promote cycling as a family-friendly activity.
Registration for the public ride is available through hadikaydol.com, with organizers positioning the event as an accessible entry point into the broader cycling weekend.
The main competitive race follows on Sunday, June 7, running from 08:00 to 12:30. Riders will choose between two mountainous routes: a long course of roughly 96.7 to 97 kilometers with up to 2,000 meters of elevation gain, and a shorter 65.8 to 66-kilometer alternative, both classified as demanding mountain profiles.
The routes stretch beyond Marmaris into some of the region’s most scenic and challenging terrain, passing through İçmeler, Turunç, Osmaniye, Bayır, Söğüt, Selimiye, Turgut, Orhaniye, and Hisarönü. The course also features sections near Amos Ancient City, combining steep climbs, technical descents, forest roads, and sweeping Aegean coastal views.
Organizers say the design aims to test endurance and racecraft while highlighting the natural and historical landscape of Muğla’s coastline. Full road closures will be in place during race hours, with authorities urging residents and visitors to plan ahead due to suspended vehicle access along the route.
The event will follow ASO’s international standards, including chip timing, feed zones, medical coverage, mechanical support, and marshaled safety systems. Category-based prizes will be awarded across age groups and genders, with additional sponsor draws expected.
With a participant cap of around 2,500 riders, the Marmaris edition is expected to draw both domestic and international cyclists, adding a significant tourism boost to the region’s hotel, marina, and hospitality sectors.
Spain’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in earnest Thursday when the reigning European champions host Iraq in a friendly at Estadio Municipal de Riazor in A Coruña, the first of two final tune-up matches before heading to North America.
Ranked second in the world behind France, Spain arrive at the tournament carrying heightened expectations after a dominant run under coach Luis de la Fuente.
La Roja are among the leading contenders to lift football’s most coveted trophy and are aiming to capture their first World Cup title since their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010.
That success has not been followed by similar achievements on the global stage.
Spain exited in the group phase in 2014 and suffered consecutive round-of-16 eliminations in 2018 and 2022. Yet the current generation appears poised to challenge for the title after winning Euro 2024 and cruising through World Cup qualifying unbeaten with five wins and one draw, finishing ahead of Türkiye, Georgia and Bulgaria.
Consistency has become Spain’s hallmark. Over the last 27 months, De la Fuente’s side have lost just once in 28 international matches across all competitions, posting 22 victories and five draws. Their only setback came in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, where they fell to Portugal in a penalty shootout.
Thursday’s match also offers Spain one final opportunity to play in front of home supporters before departing for Mexico, where they will face Peru in their last warm-up fixture. Spain are unbeaten in their previous 16 home internationals and will be eager to continue that streak after being held to a scoreless draw by Egypt in March.
For Iraq, the match represents another important step in a remarkable journey back to football’s biggest stage. The Lions of Mesopotamia have qualified for only their second World Cup and their first since 1986, when they lost all three group-stage matches in Mexico.
Their qualification campaign was a lengthy one, requiring them to navigate three AFC qualifying rounds before defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff in April to secure a place in the tournament.
Since Australian coach Graham Arnold took charge, Iraq have shown signs of progress, winning nine of their last 14 matches while recording two draws and three defeats. Although they closed 2025 with losses to Algeria and Jordan at the Arab Cup, they responded with victories over Bolivia and Andorra, defeating the latter 1-0 in their most recent outing.
The challenge awaiting Iraq in North America is formidable. They have been drawn into Group I alongside top-ranked France, African powerhouse Senegal and Norway, led by prolific striker Erling Haaland. Iraq will open their campaign against Norway on June 16.
History offers little encouragement. The only previous meeting between Spain and Iraq came at the 2009 Confederations Cup, where Spain secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from David Villa. While Thursday’s encounter carries no competitive stakes, Iraq enter as clear underdogs against one of the tournament favorites.
Spain may rotate several key players as De la Fuente manages workloads ahead of the World Cup. Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal remains doubtful with a hamstring issue, while Nico Williams and Mikel Merino are also recovering from injuries.
Goalkeeper David Raya, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Paris Saint-Germain star Fabian Ruiz were involved in last weekend’s Champions League final and could be rested. If so, Unai Simon is expected to start in goal.
Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill, the only uncapped player in the Spanish squad, could make his senior international debut. The 22-year-old is competing for a starting role alongside Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte in central defense.
Captain Rodri is available but is unlikely to play the full match as Spain carefully manages his fitness. Midfielders Gavi and Pedri, along with attacking options Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, are also expected to feature.
Iraq captain Jalal Hassan could earn his 101st international appearance in goal and may be shielded by a defensive line featuring Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim and Merchas Doski.
In midfield, former Manchester United prospect Zidane Iqbal is battling for a starting place alongside Amir Al-Ammari, Aimar Sher and Kevin Yakob. Up front, Iraq will look to experienced striker Aymen Hussein, who has scored 33 goals in 93 appearances for his country, with Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi expected to provide support.
Qualifier Chwalinska makes history to book French Open final
BREAKING NEWS… Ministry of National Defense: Our country will continue to protect its rights and interests in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean with determination.
Andoni Iraola named new Liverpool manager after Slot departure
Qualifier Chwalinska makes history to book French Open final
BREAKING NEWS… Ministry of National Defense: Our country will continue to protect its rights and interests in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean with determination.
Andoni Iraola named new Liverpool manager after Slot departure
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