Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

    Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

    In a significant managerial shakeup, Real Madrid CF has announced the immediate departure of head coach Xabi Alonso by mutual agreement, following the team’s disappointing performance in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona. The Spanish giants have moved swiftly to appoint former club legend Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement, promoting him from his role as coach of the reserve team, Castilla.

    The decision comes after eight challenging months under Alonso’s leadership, during which the team struggled to find consistency despite occasional flashes of brilliance. The 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia proved to be the final catalyst for change, with club management determining that a new direction was necessary.

    Arbeloa, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Los Blancos from 2009-2016, brings intimate knowledge of the club’s culture and expectations. During his playing days, the 42-year-old Spaniard secured two Champions League titles, one La Liga championship, and numerous other honors while making 238 appearances for the club. His international pedigree is equally impressive, having won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

    Alonso’s tenure, which began in June 2025 following his departure from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, was marked by tactical experimentation and inconsistent results. Despite signing a three-season contract, the Basque coach faced early setbacks including a 4-0 Club World Cup semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a 5-2 league thrashing by Atletico Madrid. While the team managed a notable Clasico victory over Barcelona in October, Alonso’s modern tactical approach never fully materialized on the pitch.

    The new manager’s first test will be a Copa del Rey last-16 encounter against second-tier Albacete on Wednesday, presenting an immediate opportunity to establish his leadership and tactical philosophy.

  • Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

    Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

    In a significant managerial shakeup, Real Madrid CF has announced the immediate departure of head coach Xabi Alonso following a disappointing tenure. The decision, reached by mutual consent, comes just one day after the team’s 3-2 defeat against arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia.

    The club confirmed in an official statement that Alonso’s successor will be former Madrid defender and current reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The 42-year-old, who has been developing his coaching career within Real Madrid’s academy system since 2020, takes charge of the first team with immediate effect. The length of Arbeloa’s contract was not specified in the announcement.

    Alonso’s appointment in June 2025, following the departure of veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti, was initially met with optimism. However, the Basque coach struggled to establish consistency throughout his brief reign. Despite a recent rally of five consecutive victories that temporarily secured his position toward the end of 2025, the Super Cup defeat proved to be the final catalyst for change.

    The team currently sits second in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona, having failed to demonstrate the dominant form expected of the Spanish giants. Sunday’s performance against Barcelona, which saw Madrid outplayed by Hansi Flick’s side, marked Alonso’s final match at the helm of the prestigious club.

  • Alonso leaves role as Real Madrid manager

    Alonso leaves role as Real Madrid manager

    In a dramatic managerial shakeup, Real Madrid CF has terminated its partnership with head coach Xabi Alonso merely eight months into his tenure. The club confirmed his departure was reached by “mutual consent” and swiftly announced the appointment of former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa as his successor. The 42-year-old Arbeloa, a World Cup and double European Championship winner with Spain, is promoted from his role as coach of Real Madrid’s B team, marking his first senior managerial position.

    The decision follows a period of intense scrutiny and disappointing results for the Spanish giants. The catalyst was a 4-3 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final this past Sunday, a loss that left club president Florentino Perez with little choice. This setback compounded existing pressures: Real currently trails Barcelona by four points in La Liga and occupies a precarious seventh-place standing in their Champions League group after suffering heavy defeats to Liverpool, Manchester City, and city rivals Atletico Madrid earlier in the season.

    Alonso, a club legend from his playing days, departs with a record of 24 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses from his 34 games in charge. Despite this, a series of poor performances led to visible fan discontent, with the team being booed off the pitch following a shocking 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo in December. Reports also suggested a deteriorating relationship between Alonso and star forward Vinicius Junior, allegedly stemming from a substitution incident during El Clasico, though Alonso publicly insisted the matter was resolved.

    In the wake of the announcement, the club released a statement expressing gratitude: “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.” Arbeloa takes immediate control and will lead the team in their Copa del Rey round of 16 tie against Albacete on Wednesday. This move underscores the immense and unforgiving pressure at the helm of one of football’s most demanding institutions, where sustained success is the only acceptable outcome.

  • Skeleton race investigated as US slider accuses Canada

    Skeleton race investigated as US slider accuses Canada

    The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has launched a formal investigation into Canada’s controversial decision to withdraw athletes from a North American Cup event, a move that veteran American slider Katie Uhlaender claims destroyed her final opportunity to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

    The incident occurred at Sunday’s skeleton competition in Lake Placid, where Canada’s unexpected withdrawal of four athletes reduced the field below the 21-participant threshold required for full Olympic qualification points. Uhlaender, a 41-year-old double world champion seeking to compete in her sixth Olympic Games, had needed those points before the January 18 deadline to secure her spot in Milan-Cortina.

    Despite winning the development race, the reduced field meant Uhlaender couldn’t accumulate sufficient ranking points. The American athlete received what she described as devastating news from Canadian coach Joe Cecchini, a friend of two decades, who allegedly informed her of the planned withdrawal on Friday.

    In emotional statements reported by DW, Uhlaender expressed her devastation: ‘I cried when I found out he went through with this plan. I didn’t know if it hurt more that my friend of 20 years just nailed my coffin, my Olympic dream is over. Or, that my best friend of 20 years is doing something so horrible that hurts so many people.’

    Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) defended its decision, stating the withdrawal resulted from ‘careful evaluation of the program’s needs and in consultation with the IBSF.’ The organization maintained that its actions were ‘appropriate, transparent, and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport,’ emphasizing that development circuits shouldn’t serve as primary Olympic qualification pathways.

    While acknowledging the ‘unintended impact on the size of the field,’ BCS asserted that continuing to race these athletes wasn’t in their best interests or those of the program. The organization reiterated its commitment to athlete health, safety, and long-term development as its highest priority.

    The IBSF confirmed to BBC Sport that its Integrity Unit would investigate the incident. USA Bobsled/Skeleton welcomed the review, stating its commitment to ‘fair play and protecting the rights of athletes’ while acknowledging the importance of maintaining positive international relationships within the sport.

  • Watch: Moment skier and dog swept along by avalanche

    Watch: Moment skier and dog swept along by avalanche

    A harrowing incident on the slopes of Pic de l’Hortell in Andorra was captured on camera when Spanish skier Ares Masip and his dog were unexpectedly caught in a powerful avalanche. The footage, recorded by Masip himself, documents the terrifying moment when the snowpack gave way, sweeping both skier and animal down the mountain in a torrent of snow and debris.\n\nThe video evidence reveals the rapid onset of the avalanche, demonstrating how quickly stable conditions can transform into life-threatening situations in alpine environments. Masip’s recording provides valuable firsthand perspective of the avalanche’s force and the challenges of maintaining orientation while being carried downhill.\n\nSafety experts analyzing the footage have noted the importance of avalanche preparedness equipment and training. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing, even for experienced practitioners. Andorran mountain rescue services have used the opportunity to reinforce awareness about checking avalanche forecasts and traveling with proper safety gear including transceivers, probes, and shovels.\n\nThe footage has garnered significant attention within the winter sports community, sparking discussions about risk assessment and companion safety in avalanche terrain. Remarkably, both Masip and his canine partner emerged from the incident without serious injuries, providing a fortunate outcome to what could have been a tragic event.

  • Sam Harper eyes Australian dream after career-best Big Bash run-scoring season

    Sam Harper eyes Australian dream after career-best Big Bash run-scoring season

    Melbourne Stars wicketkeeper Sam Harper has reignited his childhood ambition of representing Australia on the international cricket stage, a dream he first documented beneath his father’s pillow at just five years old. Now demonstrating exceptional form in the Big Bash League, Harper finds himself closer than ever to national selection despite recent setbacks.

    The 26-year-old Victorian missed Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup squad selection when selectors opted for just one specialist wicketkeeper, Josh Inglis, leaving no backup option. Harper has responded to this omission by delivering career-best performances, currently leading the BBL scoring charts with 356 runs at a remarkable average of 89.

    Harper acknowledges that while his Australian aspirations remain undiminished, consistent high scoring remains the essential pathway to national recognition. ‘I absolutely want to play for Australia and make no bones about it,’ Harper stated. ‘But there’s probably a fair few scores and a bit more consistency before a door like that would open.’

    The cricketer attributes his breakthrough season to maturing beyond the mentality of a support player. Harper revealed that earlier in his career, he felt intimidated batting alongside established stars like Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell, often adopting a ‘hit big or get out’ approach to accelerate their arrival at the crease.

    With experience, Harper has developed greater self-belief and strategic awareness. ‘As you learn and get older, you want to win games for the team yourself,’ he explained. ‘I think it’s going to help the team, me batting for longer. I feel like I’ve got the game to go deep in the innings anyway.’

    Harper’s refined approach has proven instrumental in the Stars’ finals campaign, with the wicketkeeper expressing particular satisfaction in contributing meaningfully to team success while simultaneously advancing his international credentials.

  • Emirati excellence on display at Jebel Ali as local trainers sweep four wins in one day

    Emirati excellence on display at Jebel Ali as local trainers sweep four wins in one day

    Jebel Ali Racecourse witnessed an extraordinary demonstration of Emirati equestrian prowess as local trainers secured four victories during a single race day, underscoring the nation’s growing dominance in the sport. The remarkable achievement came just 24 hours after Emirati riders claimed top honors at the prestigious Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival.

    Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, operating from the renowned Fazza Stables established by Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, captured the featured Al Wasl Club Cup. His horse Indicate triumphed in the 1000-meter sprint before Excel Power secured another victory in the 1900-meter Al Awir Cup, completing bin Ghadayer’s impressive double.

    Fellow Emirati trainer Ahmed bin Harmash matched this excellence with two wins of his own. Yasup claimed victory in the Shafar Investment Stakes – Daaeemm Incentive Stakes, while Whitegate, ridden by emerging Emirati apprentice Khalid Al Balushi, won the Sprint Handicap Stakes.

    Al Balushi expressed his enthusiasm following his first win of the 2025-2026 UAE flat season: ‘I am tremendously proud of today’s achievement. My gratitude goes to Ahmed bin Harmash for providing Emirati jockeys with opportunities to demonstrate our capabilities. This victory marks a significant milestone, and I anticipate further successes throughout the season.’

    The day’s competitions commenced with the Porsche Cup, won by AF Muhem under the guidance of purebred Arabian specialist Ernst Oertel, adding international flair to the celebration of local talent.

    These consecutive triumphs at Jebel Ali Racecourse and the Dubai International Endurance Village signal a transformative shift in Emirati participation across both flat racing and endurance disciplines, highlighting the successful development of homegrown equestrian expertise from training stables to the winner’s circle.

  • US figure skater whose parents were killed in DC plane crash heads to Olympics

    US figure skater whose parents were killed in DC plane crash heads to Olympics

    In an emotional culmination of perseverance and legacy, American figure skater Maxim Naumov has clinched a spot on the US Olympic team for the Milan Winter Games, transforming profound personal tragedy into athletic triumph. The 24-year-old athlete secured his position by placing third at the US Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis this past weekend, trailing only behind champion Ilia Malinin and silver medalist Andrew Torgashev.

    Naumov’s journey to Olympic qualification is shadowed by unimaginable loss. Just one year prior, in January 2025, both of his parents perished in a catastrophic mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter over Washington DC. The tragedy claimed all 67 lives aboard both aircraft, including Naumov’s parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova—renowned pairs figure skating world champions who had represented Russia before immigrating to the United States.

    The couple were returning from Wichita, Kansas, where they had been attending the 2025 US Figure Skating Championships. Among the flight’s 64 passengers were 28 individuals connected to the US figure skating community, including athletes, coaches, and family members.

    Throughout his championship performance, Naumov drew strength from his parents’ memory, keeping a childhood photograph of himself with them close during competitions. “I thought of them immediately,” Naumov expressed following his victory. “I wish they could be here to experience it with me, but I do feel their presence, and they are with me.”

    The skater reflected that his Olympic aspirations were among the final topics he discussed with his parents before their untimely deaths. When asked what his parents might say witnessing his achievement, Naumov simply stated: “We did it.”

    Naumov will join fifteen other American figure skaters competing in the Winter Olympics, with skating events scheduled to commence on February 6th. His qualification represents not only a personal athletic achievement but a continuation of his family’s storied legacy in the sport they loved.

  • Man Utd knocked out of FA Cup by Brighton, Martinelli hits hat-trick for Arsenal

    Man Utd knocked out of FA Cup by Brighton, Martinelli hits hat-trick for Arsenal

    The Emirates FA Cup delivered a weekend of high drama and stunning upsets, headlined by a seismic shock at Old Trafford where Brighton & Hove Albion eliminated Manchester United with a 2-1 victory. This defeat extinguishes the Red Devils’ final hope for silverware this season and plunges the club into deeper crisis.

    Interim manager Darren Fletcher witnessed his squad’s fragility firsthand as Brighton’s Brajan Gruda and former United striker Danny Welbeck found the net, securing a deserved win for the visitors. The match was punctuated by audible dissent from the home supporters, with persistent chants directed at the Glazer family and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, highlighting the growing discontent within the theatre of dreams. United’s misery was compounded by a late red card for teenager Shea Lacey for dissent, capping a performance that Fletcher admitted showcased a ‘fragile’ team that must ‘dig deep.’ This early cup exit means United will play only 40 games this season—their lowest tally since 1915.

    In stark contrast, Arsenal exhibited resilience and firepower in a commanding 4-1 away victory at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park. The narrative was dominated by Gabriel Martinelli, who responded to a week of intense criticism with a brilliant hat-trick. The Brazilian forward had faced significant backlash for an incident involving Liverpool’s injured Conor Bradley in a previous match, but he let his performance do the talking on the pitch.

    Portsmouth had dreamt of a giant-killing, taking a shock lead through Colby Bishop after just three minutes. However, their advantage was short-lived. An Andre Dozzell own goal leveled the score before Martinelli took center stage. He displayed clinical finishing to net three times, effectively killing the tie and guiding the Gunners into the fourth round for the first time in three years. Manager Mikel Arteta praised his player’s ‘big personality’ to overcome controversy and deliver under pressure.

    Elsewhere in the competition, West Ham United secured a 2-1 extra-time victory over Queens Park Rangers, thanks to a decisive header from new £26 million signing Taty Castellanos. Leeds United mounted a second-half comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1, while League One side Mansfield Town pulled off a spectacular 4-3 upset against Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Norwich City, Hull City, and West Bromwich Albion also secured their passages to the last 32.

  • AFL: North Melbourne’s Jackson Archer won’t feature in 2026

    AFL: North Melbourne’s Jackson Archer won’t feature in 2026

    North Melbourne Football Club has been dealt a significant blow with the confirmation that defender Jackson Archer has sustained a complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture during a pre-season training session. The devastating injury occurred on Saturday when the 23-year-old went down during drills, with subsequent medical scans revealing the full extent of the damage.

    The club issued an official statement confirming the season-ending setback: “The club will continue to support Archer as he meets with the medical team this week to work through his rehabilitation program.” This development marks another chapter in what has been a frustrating period for the young athlete, who managed only three appearances in the 2025 season following his breakthrough performance the previous year.

    Archer’s recent career has been plagued by multiple setbacks, including a controversial Round 1 suspension last season followed by separate hamstring and ankle injuries that limited his participation. The latest ACL injury represents perhaps the most challenging obstacle yet for the talented defender, who comes from impressive football lineage—his father Glenn Archer played over 300 games for the Kangaroos and earned the prestigious Norm Smith Medal in 1996.

    The injury not only impacts Archer’s personal career trajectory but also represents a significant loss for North Melbourne’s defensive lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season. The club now faces the challenge of reorganizing their defensive strategy while supporting Archer through what is typically a 9-12 month rehabilitation process for such injuries.