Edu set to leave Arsenal’s sporting director role after five years.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, is set to leave his role after five years to potentially join Nottingham Forest’s multi-club group. The 46-year-old Brazilian, who has overseen key transfers and departures at Arsenal, says he is ready for a fresh challenge. Edu has played an influential role in reshaping Arsenal’s squad, securing signings like Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice while offloading players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite his contributions, which have driven significant change at the Emirates, his tenure has yielded only one FA Cup title in 2020. Edu’s decision reportedly follows discussions with Arsenal’s leadership team, although sources claim there has been no power struggle influencing his exit. Speculation suggests he may join Evangelos Marinakis’s club network, including Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos, but details remain uncertain. Arsenal executives were reportedly surprised by Edu’s decision, with further updates expected soon.
🚨🔴⚪️ OFFICIAL: Edu leaves Arsenal: “Now it is time to pursue a different challenge”.
“Arsenal will always remain in my heart.
“This was an incredibly hard decision to make”.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a… pic.twitter.com/OqcoubMNMs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 4, 2024
Neymar suffers a hamstring injury in his second game of the season.
Brazil star, Neymar’s second appearance for Al Hilal was cut short due to injury during their 3-0 Asian Champions League win on Monday. The Brazilian star came on in the 58th minute but was subbed off less than 30 minutes later after clutching his right leg, seemingly pulling up while reaching for the ball in the penalty area. This setback, following a year-long recovery from ACL surgery, raises concerns over Neymar’s fitness, as he had just returned two weeks prior in a match against Al-Ain. Despite Neymar’s exit, Al Hilal secured victory with a hat-trick from Aleksandar Mitrović, maintaining an unbeaten run in the Champions League. Although the severity of Neymar’s injury is yet unknown, he is expected to miss at least three weeks and is ineligible for the upcoming Saudi Pro League games against Al-Ettifaq and Al-Khaleej.
🚨🇧🇷 Neymar Jr will be assessed by Al Hilal staff after suffering hamstring issue during tonight’s game.
Get well soon! 🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/7y04ckkczM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 4, 2024
Gregg Popovich out indefinitely due to health-related issues.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is out indefinitely following a health issue over the weekend, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson will step in as interim head coach during Popovich’s absence. The health concern, which hasn’t been disclosed, emerged before the Spurs’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Popovich, 75, was unable to coach, with Johnson taking over just two-and-a-half hours before tipoff. Johnson led the team to a 113-103 victory, receiving praise from veteran Chris Paul for his performance. Popovich, in his 29th season with the Spurs, holds the NBA record for wins with 1,391 regular-season and 170 playoff victories, along with five NBA championships. The Spurs face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, followed by a five-game homestand in San Antonio. Johnson says the team is sticking to “regularly scheduled programming” in Popovich’s absence.
BREAKING: Gregg Popovich is out indefinitely with health issues, per @ShamsCharania
Wishing him the best 🙏 pic.twitter.com/cVtLhaFpyl
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 4, 2024
Sebastian Hoeneß tipped to replace Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Kicker, VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß is Bayer Leverkusen’s top candidate to succeed Xabi Alonso, should he depart this summer. Alonso’s future remains uncertain amid links to roles with Real Madrid and Manchester City, where he could potentially replace Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola. In preparation, Leverkusen reportedly views Hoeneß as an ideal fit, especially following his success with Stuttgart, whom he led to second place in the Bundesliga last season. One significant factor favoring Hoeneß is his affordable release clause, reportedly around €5-6 million, a feasible cost for Leverkusen. The nephew of Bayern Munich’s Uli Hoeneß, Sebastian’s contract runs through 2027. Additionally, Leverkusen is keeping other options open, with German national team assistant coach Sandro Wagner also being considered as a possible replacement should Alonso depart.
🚨 Sebastian Hoeneß is at the top of Bayer Leverkusen's list to replace Xabi Alonso and he's also got concrete interest from the Premier League.
His release clause is €7M-€8M and he has not ruled out staying at Stuttgart beyond this season.
(Source: @Plettigoal) pic.twitter.com/gxlB93Vhon
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 5, 2024
Darius Garland stars as the Cleveland Cavaliers beats the Bucks back-to-back.
The Cleveland Cavaliers tied their franchise record with an eighth straight season-opening win, edging out the Milwaukee Bucks 116-114. Darius Garland led with 39 points as the Cavs held off a Bucks team missing Giannis Antetokounmpo due to an adductor strain. Damian Lillard scored 36 points for Milwaukee, including 14 in the third quarter, helping his team rally to a 91-89 lead heading into the final quarter. The Bucks led by eight points midway through the fourth, but Cleveland surged back. Evan Mobley contributed 17 points, while Jarrett Allen added 14 points, 15 rebounds, and a crucial block on Lillard with just under nine seconds left to secure the victory. This win followed Cleveland’s narrow 114-113 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday, in which Donovan Mitchell’s last-second shot clinched the win. The Bucks’ loss marks their sixth consecutive defeat.
THE CAVS ARE 8-0. pic.twitter.com/mGXiGhltVS
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 5, 2024