Chelsea have officially confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year deal, signaling a major shift in the club's hierarchical structure. The former Real Madrid boss reportedly arrives at Stamford Bridge with a massive mandate from the board: restore the Blues to the pinnacle of English football within a specific timeframe. Chelsea set ambitious title deadline Alonso has been handed a clear objective by the Chelsea ownership following his high-profile arrival in west London. According to the Daily Mail, the club hierarchy expects the former Bayer Leverkusen boss to deliver a Premier League title within the next three seasons, a target that reflects both the level of investment at Stamford Bridge and the pedigree of the new man in charge. The four-year contract signed by Alonso provides him with a degree of security, but the internal pressure to succeed is immediate. After a period of transition and fluctuating form, the Blues' leadership believes the Spaniard is the missing piece to challenge the modern-day dominance of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. Channeling the 'mentality monsters' spirit In a bid to overhaul the culture at Cobham, Alonso is reportedly looking toward an old rival for inspiration. The new Chelsea boss wants to instill the 'mentality monsters' ethos famously popularized by Jrgen Klopp during his legendary tenure at Liverpool. Alonso believes that technical quality alone is insufficient and that the current squad needs a psychological transformation to compete for the biggest honors. This approach involves a rigorous upgrade in standards and a demand for total commitment from every player. By adopting this gritty, never-say-die attitude, Alonso hopes to bridge the gap between Chelsea and the current pace-setters, ensuring his side can sustain a title charge over a grueling 38-game season. A shift in power at Stamford Bridge Significantly, former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Alonso has been appointed with the title of 'manager' rather than 'head coach,' making him the first Chelsea boss in 13 years to hold this distinction. This change in job title suggests a departure from the collaborative model seen under previous regimes and indicates that Alonso will have a final say on crucial footballing matters, including recruitment and long-term planning. The move is seen as a way to avoid the power struggles that have plagued the club in recent years. A whirlwind summer transfer window looms With the Premier League title deadline set, Chelsea are preparing for a massive summer in the transfer market to give Alonso the tools he needs. Plans are already in place for a whirlwind window, with the club reportedly identifying several key targets to bolster the midfield and defensive lines, areas identified as needing urgent reinforcement to match the manager's high-intensity style.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as "excellent" and "constructive" the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Another top prospect gets the call. This time, it's Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson

Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Logan Cooley (92) celebrate after Cooley's goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) | Ian Maule At Utah Mammoth exit interviews following the conclusion of their season, a handful of players were asked to share their highlights of the year.Their answers ranged from on-ice play to off-ice relationships. Heres what each of them said.Vtek Vanek: I think it was really fun with Veggie. ... First time with a Czech goalie I didnt know what to expect but hes really good goalie, good guy, so it was fun for sure.Vanek and Karel Vejmelka comprise one quarter of the active Czech goalies in the NHL. Neither one had previously had a Czech goalie partner in the NHL, so it was a new and positive experience for both of them.JJ Peterka: Honestly, the weather. It was pretty warm overall. I was kind of hoping for a little snow. But I think, like I said, coming here, I was so excited to have those mountains, and every day to drive down the Sandy, especially when it was snow up there, was so nice with the sun coming in. So I think that was always a pleasure in the morning, driving to the practice rink.It was an admittedly warm, dry winter in Utah, so Peterka and others might be in for a surprise in coming winters. But its still likely to be warmer than Buffalo, which is where he came from.Nate Schmidt: I was impressed with how our youth was able to shine this year. Thats one of the things I really enjoyed watching, and the guys growth is a big part of that.Schmidt gave a second answer a little later on, too.My family and I have really, really enjoyed our time here so far this year. I mean, just the stuff you can do, the family environment, and I was really impressed with our fans. You know, just the sheer volume.Clayton Keller: The five-game stretch where we won leading up to the playoffs. We kind of knew we needed five or six wins to get in, and we rattled off five or six in a row and made a statement. We were super confident leading into the playoffs, so Id probably say that stretch of games when we needed to play our best and win hockey games.Keller is notoriously competitive, so its no surprise that his season highlight would be one of the most important and triumphant stretches of games for his team.Logan Cooley: I think the first game coming back from injury, um, was definitely a special one, but I think maybe my favorite game or goal would be in Columbus, the OT winner. That was a good one.Cooley had two goals in that game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The first came on a breakaway deke and the second was the overtime winner, followed by his shush celebration.LOGAN COOLEY OT WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com/vyBqsage9i Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026Mikhail Sergachev: The game in Florida, when we scored with, like, five minutes left in the game, because that was a big game for us. We needed that win. There (were) some other games where we beat Nashville at home here but I cant really point (to) one big moment, but probably the first game at Delta Center in the playoffs, that was awesome.Ian Cole: Its the whole thing. Its such a long season. You know, getting to spend time with your teammates, getting to win with your teammates, getting to be competitive and having success with your teammates is so much fun. So, for me, its not necessarily like one moment. Its kind of a culmination of all those things and really valuing that time together, that camaraderie. Its something that I dont overlook, you know?Coles game has been consistent since the moment he got to Utah, but at 37 years old, he knows the majority of his career is behind him. He probably appreciates the little moments more, knowing that he wont be playing forever.MacKenzie Weegar: Everything exceeded expectations for sure. The players, ownership, just the staff, every everything was was great. Its been an absolute pleasure and its been a lot of fun, the two and a half months that Ive been here.

The resurgent Phillies improved to 14-4 under interim manager Don Mattingly on Sunday and snuck over the .500 mark, at 24-23, for the first time since April 7 as Philadelphia blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0, completing a three-game sweep.

The Montreal Victoire captain leads the league in playoff points ahead of crucial Game 3.

Australias Mitchell Starc returned figures of 4-40 as Delhi Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive in the IPL with a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.

The Ballon d'Or winner headed straight down the tunnel after managing just 27 minutes in PSG's 2-1 defeat to their next-door neighbours, while the Champions League final is now only 13 days away.

Lottie Woad held off Haeran Ryu on a gusty Sunday afternoon at Maketewah Country Club in the Kroger Queen City Championship.Three strokes ahead of playing partner Amanda Doherty and four ahead of Ryu entering the round, Woad closed with a 1-under 69 for a two-stroke victory. The 22-year-old English player finished at 12-under 268. I just played pretty good tee-to-green, Woad said. I hit a lot greens, hit a lot of fairways. And its pretty windy out there, so I think that was the key, obviously, to having the lead.Ryu had a double bogey on the par-4 13th in a 67. She played first nine in 5-under 30.Amazing front nine. Im so happy, Ryu said. But I have a little mistake on the back nine.Nelly Korda shot a 67 to tie for eighth at 5 under after winning in her previous two starts. She began the day nine strokes back after a third-round 72.Woad won for the second time on the LPGA Tour, following a victory last year in the Womens Scottish Open in her professional debut. She also won the European tour's Irish Open last summer as an amateur. This one is definitely, I think, is a little sweeter than the first one because I wasnt really expecting that, Woad said. This one, Ive seen how good everyone is out there, so its good to win again.Woad made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th to open a two-stroke lead, with Ryu parring the par-3 18th soon after in the group ahead to post at 10 under.Woad overcame a double bogey on the par-4 sixth. The former Florida State star birdied the seventh, parred the next five and dropped a stroke on the par-4 13th. After three more pars, she got the long birdie try to curl in on 17.Miyu Yamashita has third at 9 under after a 64. Ruoning Yin (66) was 8 under, and Doherty (71) and Jin Young Ko (65) were 7 under. Jeeno Thitikul, the winner last week in New Jersey, was another shot back after a 69.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Lottie Woad held off Haeran Ryu on a gusty Sunday afternoon at Maketewah Country Club in the Kroger Queen City Championship.Three strokes ahead of playing partner Amanda Doherty and four ahead of Ryu entering the round, Woad closed with a 1-under 69 for a two-stroke victory. The 22-year-old English player finished at 12-under 268. I just played pretty good tee-to-green, Woad said. I hit a lot greens, hit a lot of fairways. And its pretty windy out there, so I think that was the key, obviously, to having the lead.Ryu had a double bogey on the par-4 13th in a 67. She played first nine in 5-under 30.Amazing front nine. Im so happy, Ryu said. But I have a little mistake on the back nine.Nelly Korda shot a 67 to tie for eighth at 5 under after winning in her previous two starts. She began the day nine strokes back after a third-round 72.Woad won for the second time on the LPGA Tour, following a victory last year in the Womens Scottish Open in her professional debut. She also won the European tour's Irish Open last summer as an amateur. This one is definitely, I think, is a little sweeter than the first one because I wasnt really expecting that, Woad said. This one, Ive seen how good everyone is out there, so its good to win again.Woad made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th to open a two-stroke lead, with Ryu parring the par-3 18th soon after in the group ahead to post at 10 under.Woad overcame a double bogey on the par-4 sixth. The former Florida State star birdied the seventh, parred the next five and dropped a stroke on the par-4 13th. After three more pars, she got the long birdie try to curl in on 17.Miyu Yamashita has third at 9 under after a 64. Ruoning Yin (66) was 8 under, and Doherty (71) and Jin Young Ko (65) were 7 under. Jeeno Thitikul, the winner last week in New Jersey, was another shot back after a 69.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf