De Rossi sacked from AS Roma’s managerial role four games into the season.
AS Roma have appointed Ivan Jurić as their new head coach, replacing Daniele De Rossi after a winless start to the Serie A season. The club announced the decision on Wednesday, confirming Jurić’s arrival on a one-year contract. Jurić, who has previously managed Genoa, Crotone, Hellas Verona, and Torino, steps in after Roma’s disappointing run of three points from their first four matches. De Rossi, a Roma legend as a player, took over coaching duties in January after Jose Mourinho’s departure and signed an extension until 2027 in June. However, Roma stated that the change was necessary to realign the team’s performance early in the season. Following a 1-1 draw against Genoa over the weekend, Roma will next face Udinese on Sunday as they aim to turn their fortunes around.
🚨🟡🔴 BREAKING: AS Roma have sacked the manager Daniele de Rossi.
After 3 points in 4 games, de Rossi has been fired by Roma owners Friedkin family. pic.twitter.com/c9J8CNLDPY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 18, 2024
ESPN’s NBA Insider, Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski announces his retirement.
Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski, ESPN’s renowned NBA insider, announced his Retirement after seven years with the network to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. A 1991 graduate of the university, Wojnarowski has a long-standing connection with the program, having served as a fundraiser in recent years. He expressed his excitement about returning to his beloved university, aiming to support student-athletes and coaches in various ways. Woj, 55, said he’s grateful for his time at ESPN, where he’s worked since 2017. The GM role in college basketball has grown in importance, handling recruiting, roster management, and name, image, and likeness allocations. St. Bonaventure’s athletic director, Bob Beretta, praised Wojnarowski for his deep connections in basketball and his commitment to the university’s values, calling him the perfect fit for the position.
BREAKING: Woj is retiring from the news industry, per @wojespn
End of an era 🥺💔 pic.twitter.com/c6r9fmO1gH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 18, 2024
Nigerian guard, Ezinne Kalu signs a hardship contract with the Atlanta Dream.
The Atlanta Dream have signed Nigerian guard Ezinne Kalu to a seven-day hardship contract, as reported by BSNSports.com.ng. Kalu, a 5’8″ guard, brings extensive international experience, having led Nigeria’s Olympic team to the 2024 Paris Games quarterfinals. She averaged 18.5 points per game, placing her fourth behind top players like A’ja Wilson (USA) and Emma Meesseman (BEL). Kalu’s standout performance came against Australia, where she scored 19 points, with five assists, five rebounds, and three steals, leading Nigeria to a surprise victory. A Newark native, Kalu attended Savannah State University in Georgia, where she became the first player in school history to surpass 2,000 career points and led the team to their first MEAC Championship in 2015. The Dream have a rich history, including 11 WNBA All-Stars and three finals appearances.
Welcome, @_the9jaqueen ! 🅰️ https://t.co/IlVoD0Jckn pic.twitter.com/DXIzNlw1wo
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 18, 2024
Rampant Celtic opens new Champions League season with a 5-1 win.
Celtic began their Champions League campaign in dominant fashion, thrashing Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in their opening match. Brendan Rodgers’ side took control from the start, with Liam Scales heading in the first goal, followed by Kyogo Furuhashi doubling the lead after the break. Arne Engels made it 3-0 from the penalty spot, becoming the first Celtic player to score on his Champions League debut since Henrik Larsson in 2001. Kevin Wimmer pulled one back for Bratislava, but Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah added two more for Celtic’s biggest Champions League win. Despite Slovan’s debut in the competition, Celtic’s five different scorers showcased their class in front of a packed Celtic Park. Rodgers will hope to carry this momentum into their next fixture against Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
5-1 Celtic.
CELTIC FANS ARE EXPERIENCING THE PERFECT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ADAM IDAH SCORES !!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Zpyh11LInf
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 18, 2024
Zubimendi allegedly regrets not joining Liverpool in the summer.
Liverpool is set to revive their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi in January, following reports in Spain suggesting the midfielder regrets snubbing a summer move to Anfield. The Reds had agreed to pay his €60m (£50.5m) release clause and treble his Real Sociedad wages, but Zubimendi pulled out at the last minute. Now, with Sociedad struggling in La Liga, sitting 16th after six games, and failing to replace key players Robin Le Normand and Mikel Merino, Zubimendi is reconsidering his decision. Furthermore, Sociedad has yet to offer him a new contract, leaving him on the same terms he signed in 2022. The player’s fondness for life in San Sebastian initially influenced his decision, but current circumstances have led him to instruct his agent to reopen negotiations with Liverpool. The Reds are reportedly prepared to make another attempt to secure his signing.
🎙️Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo 🇪🇸reports that Zubimendi regrets his decision to pass the approach of #LFC this summer and that he hopes that the club makes an approach for him again this Jan window. It’s in #LFC’s court whether it happens, with his contract ending in 2027. pic.twitter.com/5MIXu9f4xy
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) September 18, 2024