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Sjögren will assume duties for the Stars in 2026 after spending 20 years as a head coach in Scandinavia

Sjögren to take helm at Stars following 2025 seasonAssistant Jacobson will coach team until arrivalChicago currently 13th in NWSL standingsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chicago Stars FC hired Hammarby Damallsvenskan's Martin Sjögren as head coach, the club announced Wednesday, providing optimism in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the NWSL club. 

Sjögren will take over the reins following the 2025 season, with assistant Anders Jacobson serving as interim coach for the rest of this campaign. The Stars are second-to-last in NWSL, with just eight points in 15 matches. The club fired  manager Lorne Donaldson earlier in the season. Ella Masar has been serving as interim coach. 

Sjögren has spent his entire coaching career in Scandinavia, largely working with club teams. He also spent six years with Norway's women's team, from 2016-2022.

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Chicago Stars general manager Richard Feuz stressed Sjögren and Jacobson's hiring were not only due to their resumes, but their proven success in building family cultures at previous stops. 

"We’re thrilled to welcome Martin Sjögren and Anders Jacobson to Chicago Stars FC,” Feuz said in a statement. “This appointment is the result of a rigorous, data-driven hiring process and deep discussions about our soccer identity, methodology and long-term vision. We were not just looking for top-level coaches but for people with exceptional human values, leaders who align with our ambition to build a high-performance environment rooted in trust, unity, and a true sense of family.

"Martin and Anders will bring a wealth of international experience and are fully committed to developing a clear, intelligent and forward-thinking style of play that emphasizes control, collective ambition and attacking football. Together with the rest of our staff, they will play a key role in shaping our culture and helping each player grow individually, as we work relentlessly to reach our sporting goals." 

WHAT SJOGREN SAID

Sjögren admitted the Stars' ambition attracted him to the role. 

"To get the opportunity to lead the Chicago Stars in the NWSL is something that I really look forward to,” Sjögren said in a statement. “I have got a very good impression of the owners and people working in the club. The future plans of the club that have been presented match my own ambition in building a sustainable and successful organization over time.

"I see lots of good opportunities to build something really interesting with the Stars. I look forward to arriving in Chicago to meet everyone and start work.”

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Although Jacobsen will serve in an interim role, it appears as if Masar will also remain with the club. She has previously worked with both coaches and looks forward to reuniting with the group. 

“Martin has been someone I've known and highly respected for almost 10 years," she said. "Both him and Anders have been enthusiastically devoted to the women’s game for many years and helped support its growth. Chicago is in good hands moving forward and I look forward to his arrival.”

Federico Chiesa earned huge praise from Liverpool's captain after inspiring Friday night's opening Premier League win.

Van Dijk talks up Chiesa impactWinger had decisive role against Bournemouth Teammates always had faith in himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Van Dijk spoke with reporters following Liverpool's 4-2 win, which briefly looked in jeopardy after surrendering a 2-0 lead in the second half. Chiesa scored a clever goal late on to restore the lead, before Mohamed Salah made it comfortable, and his captain suggested the rest of the squad always knew the Italian was capable of making such an impact. 

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Chiesa emerged as one of the continent's brightest young attackers when he inspired Italy to Euro 2020 glory, but injuries in more recent times have hampered his development. Liverpool paid a bargain transfer fee to Juventus last summer, but Chiesa struggled to establish himself due to persistent fitness issues. All in all, he only played 104 minutes in the Premier League across 2024-25. His arrival as a late substitute in the Bournemouth game when Liverpool were looking for a goal to retake the lead was even openly questioned by club legend and co-commentator Jamie Carragher. 

WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

"Fede is an amazing character, he works so hard and has been unlucky with injuries but we are all here for him and we all know what kind of impact he could have," Van Dijk explained. "He's a great character and we all love him, I think everyone can see that, and he's loved by the fans, and to produce moments like he has [against Bournemouth] is something we all want to see." 

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA?

Competition for places at Liverpool is rife, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah first choice in the wide positions, and Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike also capable of playing from the wings. But, if Chiesa can stay fit, the club's busy schedule across four different competitions this season could still hand the Italian plenty of opportunities. The fact that he has proved himself so early in the campaign bodes well for him. 

Liverpool are preparing a bid worth over £130 million ($175m) for Alexander Isak as they attempt to finally sign the Newcastle striker this summer.

Liverpool have been chasing Isak all summerHave had one bid rejected by NewcastleReadying another British-record offerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per, Liverpool are preparing a bid worth in excess of £130m for Isak, with the package potentially reaching £140m ($188m) when add-ons are included. Newcastle remain insistent that they will not sell Isak, and have consistently demanded a fee worth £150m, but the Reds are adamant they will not go that high.

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Isak remains keen to move to Liverpool and has told Newcastle that he wants to make the switch to Anfield before the transfer deadline next week. Newcastle are steadfast in their refusal to accept bids below their valuation, and they are also busy working on potential arrivals themselves, after seeing a £50m ($67m) offer rejected for Wolves' Jacob Strand Larsen. They are also interested in Yoane Wissa at Brentford. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Isak has not played for Newcastle this season and the club are braced for Liverpool to up their offer. It is unclear if a new bid that remains below their £150m asking price will be considered, however. 

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Newcastle play Leeds United on Saturday while Liverpool play Arsenal. The transfer window closes next week. Whether Isak remains on Tyneside will be a major story of the final week of the market. 

Manchester United failed with a late attempt to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher on a season-long loan.

Man Utd fail to sign GallagherRed Devils made late loan swoopAtletico swiftly rejected approachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils made a late enquiry regarding the availability of Gallagher, 25, ahead of the summer transfer window closing at 19:00 BST for Premier League clubs, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. However the report claims that Atletico swiftly rejected United's advances as they were unwilling to allow the England international to leave temporarily.

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United had been keen to strengthen in midfield during the transfer window, with a host of targets being linked with moves to Old Trafford. Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba was believed to be manager Ruben Amorim's preferred target but a deal could not be agreed between the two clubs.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gallagher moved to Atletico from Chelsea for £34 million in the summer of 2024 and has gone on to make 53 appearances for Diego Simeone's side, scoring two goals. He featured in his side's opening three La Liga fixtures this season, starting the 2-1 defeat against Espanyol before coming off the bench in the subsequent 1-1 draws against Elche and Alaves respectively.

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United will take on rivals Manchester City in the derby on September 14 following the conclusion of the upcoming international break. Meanwhile Gallagher and Atletico play host to Villarreal in their next league outing on September 13.

While saying 'In Pochettino, I believe' and praising inclusion of MLS players, Howard said he's still perplexed by some decisions

Howard says he trusts Pochettino's experience Said goalkeeper position needs greater claritySupports willingness to select in-form MLS playersGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Reacting to USMNT roster selections for September friendlies against South Korea and Japan, analyst Tim Howard said that, while trusts Mauricio Pochettino's coaching pedigree, he's still unclear about the selection philosophy.

“Pochettino has been at big clubs, big teams, bigger than the U.S. national team," Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast. "He's been at PSG, it's a bigger institution. He dealt with big owners, huge players, Pochettino knows what he's doing, OK? He knows what he's doing… he's seen the upside, the down, the bad side and the good… In Pochettino, I believe.

“But I'm just kind of looking at it and now I'm like, patiently waiting to kind of see what the method to the madness is. Because there has to be. He's not just chucking the cards in the air and going now, ‘I don't care if we were successful.' He wants to be successful, I believe that."

The ex-USMNT star pointed to goalkeeper, suggesting the rotation between several options without establishing a clear hierarchy could create uncertainty.

“Goalkeepers are perfect example,” Howard said. “Like I'm saying [Roman] Celentano, [Jonathan] Klinsmann, you’re nowhere near the frame. So who are your goalkeepers? He has to start making decisions, so who are your goalkeepers?… The guys in camp, they’re not going to be going to a World Cup, right? So, Matt Freese, Zack Steffan, Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte. Get those guys in a room and go, ‘Hey, I'm picking three from four of you. You've got 10 months to give me everything you got, battle it out.

"Matt Freese, you're the No. 1 for this camp, guess what? Matt Turner get in here. Zack Steffen get in here, I want to see you guys compete, right?' And say, 'Look, I'm going to give you an opportunity. It might not be exact. I might give this guy five games and the other guy three games, But it'll be enough for me to see over the course of 10 months.'"

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The former national team goalkeeper praised Pochettino's willingness to select MLS-based players – with 12 on the current roster – describing it as a pragmatic approach that prioritizes form and fitness over league prestige.

“The argument is dumb, and it's old," he said. "People out there who are like, 'You shouldn't stay in MLS, you shouldn't come back to MLS,' all that blah. You go where you can perform at your best for the time being, right?… You're actually better off having a player that plays in MLS who's banging 20 goals, right? Who's feeling the rhythm of the game and who's kind of worn as opposed to someone who's like, ‘Oh he's really talented kid, but he doesn't always get on the field.'

"So like It's a silly argument. Obviously it's good that Pochettino sees how valuable it is. I know the value of both playing in Europe and an MLS. They're both important, it's about rhythm, it's about timing. So I'm OK with it."

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Pochettino's roster construction approach has generated significant discussion within American soccer circles. The USMNT player pool currently features unprecedented depth but lacks clear hierarchies at several positions.

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The USMNT will face South Korea on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey before taking on Japan three days later in Columbus, Ohio.

Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison has revealed his ambitious plan to return to Old Trafford.

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Morrison was a prodigious young talentUnited spell did not work outHas eyes on returning in a new role Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Morrison came through the youth system at United, and was hailed as a future first-team star, as he played alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, but his career did not pan out that way. Instead, after just three first-team appearances, he moved to West Ham in 2012, and has since embarked on something of a nomadic career.

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Morrison has played for eight clubs permanently since leaving United and is currently playing for Precision in the United Arab Emirates. Now, he has outlined his plans for once he hangs up his boots, and has confirmed that he is attempting to gain his coaching badges, with one eye on a potential appointment at Old Trafford.

WHAT RAVEL MORRISON SAID

Morrison told the Undr The Cosh podcast: "I've got my B licence now – I did it in the summer.

'I do want to get into some type of coaching [after I retire]. That'd be good. I'd like to go back to United!'

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Morrison is now 32 so he may look to move into coaching sooner rather than later. Given his unique career trajectory, culminating in a call-up to the Jamaica national team, he may well have some sound advice to pass on.

Mumbai had bought Harmanpreet for INR 1.8 crore, the third-most expensive for them after Nat Sciver-Brunt and Pooja Vastrakar

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2023India captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Mumbai Indians franchise in the inaugural edition of the WPL, set to begin on March 4 in Mumbai. Harmanpreet was not the most expensive player bought by Mumbai at the auction last month but she was expected to lead the side, which will feature other top international names such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr.”As the national captain, she has led the Indian Women’s team to some of their most exciting wins,” Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani said in a statement. “And I am sure that with Charlotte [Edwards, head coach] and Jhulan’s [Goswami, bowling coach and mentor ] support, she will inspire our MI women’s team to play their best cricket, display a sense of pride, and bring even more glory to women in sports.”Related

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Mumbai had bought Harmanpreet for INR 1.8 crore (US$ 220,000 approx.), the third-most expensive for them after Nat’s INR 3.2 crore ($390,000 approx.) and Pooja Vastrakar’s 1.90 crore ($232,000 approx.).Harmanpreet has led India to the knockouts in the last three T20 World Cups, including the final of the 2020 edition in Australia. In the recent T20 World Cup that finished in South Africa last month, India narrowly missed out on the final berth when they lost to eventual champions Australia by five runs after Harmanpreet’s 52 off 34.Harmanpreet is the only player in the world – in men’s or women’s cricket – to have played 150 T20Is, with her Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma, who leads Mumbai Indians in the IPL, second with 148 games to his name.Harmanpreet will be in the team management with Edwards, Goswami, and batting coach Devika Palshikar. The squad also includes Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia and Amanjot Kaur as the other international India players.Mumbai will take on Gujarat Giants in the WPL opener on March 4 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Caen's recruitment manager has opened up on Kylian Mbappe's ownership role at the French club, following their recent relegation from Ligue 2.

Caen has been relegated to the National LeagueFans upset with Kylian Mbappe's involvementRecruitment manager speaks on the striker's involvement in club's decisionsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED

Mbappe became the majority majority shareholder of Caen in 2024 after acquiring 80 per cent of the club through his investment firm, Coalition Capital, in a deal reportedly worth as much as €20 million (£17m/$23m). The Caen supporters were excited to see a rejuvenated side under the new ownership, but things have not gone as expected as the club experienced a decline in form, issues in the dressing room, and fans turning against the Real Madrid star by displaying banners saying: "Mbappe, SMC is not your toy". The recruitment head, Reda Hammache, has now opened up about the striker's role at the club and how much the forward participates in decisions regarding running and operating the club.

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Caen have been relegated to the National League for the first time in 41 years. This comes as a major financial setback for the club, with internal dressing room disputes over the selection of players and blaming the approach taken by the new ownership. This has affected the 26-year-old striker as things have declined on a much greater level after his takeover. As per , Mbappe is involved in the decisions but doesn't intervene in the match-to-match selections, with sporting matters mostly falling first on president Zihad Hammoud, general manager Josselin Flamand, technical director Pascal Plancque and the recruitment manager.

WHAT CAEN SAID

"He gets updates naturally and regularly, but he's not the type to call. It's a system we've set up for ourselves; he's not intrusive. He stays in his role as a shareholder who wants to enjoy things from a distance, knowing everything but letting people get on with their work. Our discussions are always focused on football, the value of the players, the spirit and the consistency of the team. We stick to technical considerations and never talk about money," Hammache told .

He also confirms that Mbappe does not remain passive when key decisions are made. "For this kind of big decision [appointing a coach], he is more than informed. When we chose Bruno Baltazar, Michel Der Zakarian or, more recently, Maxime D'Ornano, he was informed and he supported us in our decision. If there are things that really bother him, he'll say so, and we obviously give him that space. But so far, he's trusted us. We've stood by our decisions," he explains.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CAEN?

According to Hammache, Mbappe does not dictate the team line-up or tactical choices. He finds out the line-up like everyone else, sometimes before kick-off, sometimes even on television. Although he shows concern, he does not interfere where his role ends.

Caen now face a crucial rebuilding phase in the National League, focusing on stability, youth development and financial restructuring. Head coach d'Ornano leads efforts to restore confidence and aim for promotion back to Ligue 2.

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Captain fulfilling allrounder status could open up selection for Ranchi and Dharamsala

Vithushan Ehantharajah19-Feb-20241:58

Ehantharajah: Stokes bowling again ‘absurd and encouraging’

Brendon McCullum says he may have to hold Ben Stokes back from bowling in the ongoing series with India but admits it is “a good sign” the England captain is open to the possibility of reprising his allrounder role in the final two Tests.Stokes has been progressing his bowling throughout this tour following an operation on his left knee at the end of November. Having started in Visakhapatnam ahead of the second Test, he has stepped up his intensity in Rajkot over the last week, and has been bowling back at his full pace.Stokes last bowled competitively in June, during the second Test against Australia at Lord’s, and was adamant he would not do so in this five-match series after a “pinky-promise” with his physiotherapist. But speaking after England’s heavy defeat in the third Test, Stokes re-opened the door he had closed, given progress has been “a lot faster than I thought [it] would”. He even felt he could have bowled in the match, which England lost to go 2-1 down in the series.Related

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“I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no,” he answered, when asked about bowling in the fourth or fifth Test. “Me being me, I’m always very optimistic about most things. That will be a more detailed chat with the medical team about what workload I have done to pass me off as not being a massive risk.”I managed to bowl at 100% in one of the warm-up days here which made me feel pretty good. I felt like I could have bowled in the game but that would have been stupid.”Speaking on Monday, McCullum was buoyed by Stokes’ confidence. And while acknowledging Stokes would not do anything drastic, there was an appreciation that he, as head coach, had a duty to ensure his captain did not push himself unnecessarily.”Well, it’s good that he’s actually getting into a state where he thinks he might bowl,” McCullum said. “But Ben is clever; he’s really clever as well. He won’t bowl unless he thinks he’s legitimately able to bowl. The problem would be if he starts getting into a spell and then he can’t get out of the spell. So we’ll see what unfolds.”If he does get that bit between his teeth, then let’s see where the danger lies there and try and pull him away from it. But it’s a good sign.”The return of Stokes the allrounder would dramatically improve the balance of the XI. Having operated with just one seamer for the first two Tests, along with four spinners – including Joe Root – England dropped Shoaib Bashir to pick both James Anderson and Mark Wood for the third.Ben Stokes has been bowling in the nets in India•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesAnderson and Wood excelled in the first innings, with Wood taking four of the five dismissals between them. But they went wicketless during the second and looked drained during their collective 23 overs. It meant an inexperienced spin attack was exposed as India piled on the runs to give England an insurmountable target of 557.With the Test in Ranchi starting on Friday, Anderson and Wood will have just four days to recover. And while McCullum stated England will see how they pull up, at least one is likely to miss out, with Ollie Robinson expected to come in ahead of Gus Atkinson. If Stokes does get the all clear to resume bowling, it could allow England to recall Bashir and have two seamers and four spin options at their disposal, giving them the best of both worlds, particularly with the captain’s ability to reverse swing the ball and bowl bouncers. It would also give him an opportunity to follow his 100th Test cap with the milestone of 200 wickets. He is currently on 197, at an average of 32.07.Wickets were shared around in the last Ranchi Test back in 2019, in which India beat South Africa by an innings and 202 runs. England will only get into conversations around selection after their first look at the surface on Wednesday when they first train at the JSCA International Stadium, and could confirm the XI a day before the start, as they have done for the three previous Tests.”We’ve got two really good options on the sideline as well with Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson,” McCullum said. “So we’ve got a really good squad to pick from. We just need to work out when we get there what conditions we’re going to be confronted with and see the health of the army, and then make a decision on what we go with.”Obviously we haven’t seen the conditions in Ranchi yet. I think it might spin. I guess it should spin but we’ll see when we get there. But, look, we’re really comfortable with what we’ve got and we’re certainly not going to add to the squad.”We’ve got a group of players here who have played some outstanding cricket so far over the last three Test matches and whatever XI we decide to go with we will fully back. Hopefully we’ll be in a different situation to what we’re in now.”

Former England spinner to represent George Galloway’s Workers Party in Ealing Southall

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Apr-2024Former England spinner Monty Panesar will stand as a parliamentary candidate for George Galloway’s Workers Party at the next general election.Panesar, who was born in Luton and played 50 Tests for England, taking 167 wickets at 34.71, will be on the ballot in Ealing Southall. The constituency has been a Labour Party stronghold under Vivendra Sharma since 2007. Sharma currently holds a majority of over 16,000 in a constituency whose population, according to the 2021 Census, is almost one-third (30 per cent) Asian.”I want to be the voice for the workers of this country,” Panesar said in a column in The Telegraph. “My aspiration in politics is to one day become Prime Minister, where I would make Britain a safer and stronger nation. But the first job at hand is to represent the people of Ealing Southall.”Galloway returned to the House of Commons in March after victory in the Rochdale by-election, following the death of the previous incumbent, Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Galloway confirmed Panesar, 42, will be unveiled as one of his party’s candidates at a press event outside the Houses of Parliament.Speaking to LBC, Galloway said: “I’ll present 200 of them outside Parliament this afternoon, including – you’ll like this – Monty Panesar, the ace Indian cricketer, former England international cricketer, who will be our candidate in Southall.””Monty, of course, was a great left-arm spinner and so we could do with him”.Panesar, whose full name is Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, became the first practising Sikh to represent England in 2006, when selected at Nagpur in the first Test of that winter’s tour of India.Following his retirement, he undertook a sports journalism course at St Mary’s University, London, and earlier this month leant his support to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, in which he talked up the benefits of immigration in a video.In 2021, he defended Michael Vaughan, his former England captain, after he was accused of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq during a match for Yorkshire in 2009.