Author: INDEPENDENT

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of three possible candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino, with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna a leading contender, the PA news agency understands.The 38-year-old guided Ipswich back to the Premier League following a 22-year absence just a year after winning promotion from League One and has reportedly been the subject of interest from Manchester United and Brighton.PA understands Leicester boss Enzo Maresca, who led his side to the Championship title, and Brentford’s Thomas…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsIt’s a bold move for the Royal Court’s new artistic director David Byrne to programme this show as the first on the main stage under his tenure: an adaptation of Maggie Nelson’s 2009 memoir-cum-philosophical-tract-cum-poetic treatise Bluets, which plants us in the mind of a heartbroken woman who falls in love with the colour blue. It’s dense and demanding, esoteric and plotless, full of references to Goethe and Catherine Millet and Derek Jarman and Heraclitus.Then again,…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsFood aid bound for Gaza is rotting in the summer heat as the Israeli military keeps the Rafah border crossing with Egypt closed for a third week, intensifying the hunger crisis in the Palestinian territory. Truck drivers waiting for weeks to cross the border said that they have been forced to get rid of the supplies for cheap or see them rot in the sun. “Apples, bananas, chicken, and cheese have gone rotten. Some items…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter There was a noticeable reaction to the question. Changing of the guard? In the Women’s Champions League final? Not for Lyon. The French side are proud to point out that when it comes to European honours, no one has more than them. Even if Barcelona defeat them to win their third Champions League in four years, Lyon are adamant that they will not be replaced as the major force of women’s football in Europe.The final at Sam…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USA missionary couple from the US and the director of a mission group in Haiti were fatally shot by gang members after leaving a church youth group, a family member has said.Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young married couple from the US, as well as Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc, and were killed on Thursday in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince. Violent gangs that control 80% of the capital…

‘We want to win’ – Lyon boss Bompastor on facing Barcelona in Women’s Champions League finalThe Women’s Champions League final puts the holders Barcelona against the record eight-time winners Lyon as Bilbao stages a blockbuster clash to decide Europe’s best.Barcelona have never beaten Lyon in a competitive fixture but have lost two finals against them, in 2019 and 2022. The Catalan club reclaimed their European crown last season, however, after coming from two goals down to beat Wolfsburg. After edging Chelsea in the semi-finals, finally defeating Lyon would underline Barcelona’s status as the best in the world, with their stylish…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USRetired Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has clapped back at “naysayers” who criticized her family for crowdfunding donations for her medical bills.Branded “America’s Sweetheart,” a 16-year-old Ms Retton dazzled on the Olympic stage and became the first US female gymnast to win an all-round Olympic gold medal in 1984 in Los Angeles.Four decades on, this October the 56-year-old former athlete fell ill with a rare form of pneumonia and was left fighting for her life in…

Pep Guardiola offers advice to journalist after ‘offensive’ questionManchester City face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final today with a double-double on the line at Wembley Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side, a week on from their fourth successive Premier League title, face a United side low on confidence after a turbulent season under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman’s future is under intense speculation, with a summer of change anticipated at Old Trafford, but an unlikely victory over the champions could prove vital to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team to persevere with him for next season.“I am just…

Putin will be made to pay to rebuild Ukraine, says US secretary of stateFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsRussian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had no legitimacy following the expiry of his five-year term and this would raise a legal obstacle if Russia and Ukraine were to hold peace talks.Mr Putin said he is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, Reuters reported on…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter After a season where Manchester United’s tactical system has been constantly debated, Erik ten Hag doesn’t have the luxury of choice ahead of the final game, which could well be his last game. The Dutch coach has to prepare for underdog football in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. This is not one for ideology. Pretty much everyone has to compromise when facing Pep Guardiola, but there’s more to that here.Maybe the greatest uncertainty about the…