All articles tagged with #head coach
With Steve Clarke resigning after Scotland’s World Cup exit, fans are debating who should replace him, with Ange Postecoglou the most cited candidate among many, including David Moyes and a mix of foreign names; some call for a Scottish appointment or a formal recruitment process, but there is no clear consensus yet.
Scotland are starting a high-stakes search for Steve Clarke’s successor after his World Cup exit, with the remit to build on Clarke’s three finals appearances and reach knockout stages. The Scottish FA will weigh whether to appoint a Scot or a foreign coach, and whether to pursue a more attacking style, while navigating a squad that isn’t obvious in its next generation. Early names linked include Scot Gemmill, Steven Naismith, John McGlynn and Darren Fletcher, with Ange Postecoglou among speculative options. The job is attractive ahead of Euro 2028 qualification and the inbound Nations League campaign starting 26 September in Slovenia, amid the sense that it’s a “monster job” to continue the progress.
Edmonton named Mike Babcock the Oilers' 19th head coach. The 63-year-old brings a storied NHL résumé including a 700-418-183 regular-season record over 17 seasons and 1,301 games, plus 164 postseason appearances (90-74); his achievements include a 2008 Stanley Cup with Detroit and Olympic golds in 2010 and 2014, with prior stops in Anaheim, Detroit, and Toronto.
The Vancouver Canucks named Manny Malhotra as their 23rd head coach. Malhotra led the Abbotsford Canucks for two seasons, including a franchise-best 44-win campaign and a Calder Cup title, and previously coached with the Maple Leafs and Canucks. A former NHL defenseman/forward who played 991 games over 16 seasons (including three Vancouver years), Malhotra is tasked with developing players and building a competitive, hard-working team.
Liverpool have opened formal talks with Andoni Iraola to become their next head coach, with sporting director Richard Hughes leading the discussions. Iraola is seen as the frontrunner after Arne Slot's sacking, thanks to his high-pressing, front-foot style developed at Bournemouth, and Liverpool will discuss staff and any remaining gaps before a potential appointment.
Orlando Magic are finalizing a four-year deal to hire Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as their new head coach. The 41-year-old helped San Antonio finish with a top-10 defense and has prior experience with Jason Kidd in Dallas, including relationships with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić. The Magic, who considered Billy Donovan and Jeff Van Gundy, hope his defense-first approach and a young core—Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs—can lift them toward a top-four seed after a 45–37 season that ended in the first round.
The Orlando Magic are strongly pursuing Sean Sweeney for their head coaching vacancy; he’s in his first season as Spurs’ lead assistant and has previously worked as a top assistant with Jason Kidd. The Magic, who parted ways with Jahmal Mosley after a seven-game first-round loss to the Pistons, plan to meet Sweeney during the Western Conference Finals, with Billy Donovan and Jeff Van Gundy also in consideration.
The Orlando Magic are nearing a contract to hire Sean Sweeney, the 41-year-old former Spurs associate head coach, to become the team's next head coach. Sweeney helped San Antonio post one of the NBA’s top defenses last season, and he’ll be tasked with preserving that defensive strength while improving the Magic’s half-court offense after Jamahl Mosley was let go.
The piece ranks the four open NBA head-coaching spots—Dallas (No. 1), Orlando (No. 2), Chicago (No. 3), and Portland (No. 4)—by attractiveness for prospective coaches, weighing roster talent, ownership, and resources. Dallas tops the list thanks to Cooper Flagg and a long runway despite roster and ownership concerns; Orlando sits second with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner but pressure to win quickly; Chicago is third given a big-market rebuild with the No. 4 pick and ownership patience questions; Portland is last despite a playoff-caliber core, hampered by owner Tom Dundon’s cost-cutting stance and uncertain willingness to invest in the roster.
The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Jamahl Mosley as their head coach on a five-year contract, replacing interim coach James Borrego, with Mosley expected to bring his defense-focused approach from Orlando to New Orleans.
Manchester United have reached a broad agreement with Michael Carrick to take the club's permanent head coach role, with a two-year deal and a 12-month option, pending final contracts. The club had considered other candidates but ratified the move after backing from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and ongoing background checks. Carrick has recorded 10 wins, three draws and two losses in his current spell and already enjoys the backing of the players.
The Chicago Bulls announced Billy Donovan is stepping away as head coach to let the franchise’s future basketball-operations leadership build out the staff. Ownership praised Donovan, and he expressed gratitude, saying the decision will help the Bulls’ future while the search for new leadership unfolds.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell announced that Rick Bowness will return as head coach for the 2026-27 season after agreeing to a new contract; Bowness took over on Jan. 12 and went 21-11-5 in 37 games, earning praise for his leadership as Columbus aims to contend for a Stanley Cup. The 71-year-old coach has a long NHL resume, including stints with the Jets and Stars, and expressed enthusiasm about continuing with the organization.
Brent Metcalf has been named the ninth head coach of Iowa State's men's wrestling program, taking over from Kevin Dresser after years as an assistant as ISU continues its ascent with top-10 finishes and a Big 12 title.
NC State is poised to hire former Wolfpack player Justin Gainey as its next men’s basketball coach, returning to his alma mater after three seasons as Tennessee’s associate head coach; the move follows Will Wade’s abrupt departure to LSU and has support from NC State legends and administrators.