Sports
Don’t expect Chelsea to hire an elite coach after Maresca split
It’s one of the biggest jobs in football, a club that has — as their supporters sing at every game — won it all, but to be head coach at Chelsea, top-level experience and a proven track record are not required, so don’t expect an elite managerial name to replace Enzo Maresca. If you think that makes no sense — a view taken by many confused Chelsea fans right now — it is the reality of the “new” Chelsea under the control of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital.
So don’t be surprised that former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior, now coaching Chelsea’s Ligue 1 partner club Strasbourg, is a leading candidate to take over from Maresca at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior is talented and well-regarded, but his last job in English football ended with the sack at Hull, so his appointment is unlikely to be well-received by the Chelsea fan base, just as Maresca’s arrival was met with a lukewarm reception in 2024.
Maresca parted company with Chelsea on New Year’s Day after just 18 months in charge, despite delivering success in last season’s UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, and also securing UEFA Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish in last season’s Premier League.
But winning is no longer the primary consideration at Chelsea. It is also about fitting in with the ownership’s blueprint, and that involves young coaches with potential just as much as it revolves around recruiting the best emerging playing talent from all over the world.
It is a club with two owners, two sporting directors — Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart — and a raft of other prominent figures in its so-called “integrated football leadership structure,” including former Liverpool director of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows and talent scouts Sam Jewell and Joe Shields. It is also a team that requires the head coach to heed the advice of medical staff rather than merely take it under consideration, so managing the team at Chelsea is a job that would likely lead an experienced manager to say, “Thanks, but no thanks” if an offer came his way.
But that’s Chelsea, and whether it is working or not is another matter. Measuring success at the modern Chelsea is no longer as straightforward as it used to be, and that is a big reason why Maresca is no longer in a job.
For almost 20 years, under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea were all about big spending and ambition to match, with José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel some of the blue-chip coaches hired by Abramovich.
Abramovich demanded success, and he recruited the biggest names in coaching to deliver it. And it was an approach that worked, with Chelsea winning two Champions Leagues and five Premier Leagues during the Abramovich era (2003-2022) before U.K. government sanctions forced the oligarch to sell the club in May 2022.
Maresca would never have been hired by Abramovich, so his arrival as head coach at Stamford Bridge defined the changes at the club. At the time of his appointment, the 45-year-old had been a head coach for less than 18 months: six months with Parma in Italy’s Serie B before being fired for failing to put the team in contention for promotion, and then a full season with Leicester City, guiding the Foxes to the EFL Championship title and a return to the Premier League.
By hiring Maresca, Boehly and Clearlake reverted back to their original plan of identifying a bright, young coach who would develop a team of equally bright and hungry players.
The first attempt with Graham Potter, who replaced Tuchel just seven games into the new regime’s first season, was a short-lived failure, while the more experienced Mauricio Pochettino lasted just one season before leaving his post due to his call for older, more season players being rejected by the ownership group. But when Chelsea turned to Maresca, after considering the similarly inexperienced but highly rated Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town, it signaled the determination of the club to do it their way.
An Abramovich-era coach would quickly push back on the requirements of the integrated football leadership structure and demand to be given the tools with which to do the job of winning. But by giving a young coach a huge opportunity ahead of his time, the thinking would be that he would be so grateful to have the chance of managing an elite club such as Chelsea that the frustrations of a more senior coach would not be aired, and he would happily embrace the collegiate approach laid down by the owners.
That works for only a short time, though, and Maresca perhaps felt emboldened enough by last season’s successes to push a little bit harder for the players that he felt he needed to take the team into title contention. That was what ultimately led to Pochettino leaving the club, just as Tuchel was gone within weeks of a chaotic summer transfer window that resulted in him urging the club not to make a move for Cristiano Ronaldo.
So when Chelsea hire a new coach, young, up-and-coming and malleable will be the key criteria for the successful candidate. The days of Chelsea hiring the cream of coaching are firmly in the past.
Sports
NJ Transit CEO explains World Cup fare hike as NJ Gov again implores FIFA to pay for $150 train tickets
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An already-expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more costly, as NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee announced fare hikes to attend eight matches at MetLife Stadium this year.
The East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will host those matches, beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19, but a roundtrip train ticket to and from New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will be $150, up from the usual $12.90. Shuttles are also available for $80.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying that the ultimate cost to the public transportation company should not be the burden of New Jersey commuters.
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NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey, on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, she has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150.”
The CEO said that if the regular $12.90 fare were put in place, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by 92%.
“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt. But the fans going to the games should burden the cost, that’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri added.
Days after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said that FIFA should pay for commuters’ costs, she did so again shortly after the fare hikes were announced.
“New Jersey is ready and excited to host eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer – including the World Cup Final,” Sherrill began in a social media post Friday.
A general view of MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Train Station is seen from a NJ Transit train before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 9, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“Since I took office, my Administration has been working to prepare for the biggest sporting event our state has ever seen – and today, NJ TRANSIT released their Mobility Plan to move 40,000 fans to and from each match safely and efficiently. In the FIFA World Cup agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. It also eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ TRANSIT. This agreement will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.
“As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.”
The fare hikes, however, did not please FIFA. In a scathing statement to Fox News Digital, World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi said the “current pricing model will have a chilling effect,” including congestion, late arrivals, and “broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”
Schirgi also ripped Sherrill for her “unprecedented” ask to make FIFA pay for the commuting costs.
“No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand. While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the Governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes. Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide,” Schirgi said.
Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York City on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative deal to end a three-day strike by train engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Parking has been barred from MetLife Stadium, and rideshare will be extremely limited, both of which will result in increased NJ Transit commutes.
New York Penn Station will also only be open to matchgoers beginning four hours prior to the start of games, and fans were urged to avoid nonessential NJ Transit travel on game days.
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LAS VEGAS – Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.
Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.
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Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.
Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.
Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.
Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)
BLUE PANTHER AND ÚLTIMO GUERRERO STEAL THE SHOW AT CMLL’S FIRST-EVER US EVENT IN LAS VEGAS
Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.
Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.
He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.
Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.
Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.
Liverpool face competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, while Arsenal want Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool lead the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, TalkSPORT reports. Liverpool face strong competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid for the England international’s signature, while he is under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2029 and Palace are demanding a fee of at least £80 million. Curtis Jones‘ exit from Liverpool could help the club raise extra funds, and he has been linked with a move to Italian giants Internazionale.
– Arsenal are keen on signing Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga, as per The Telegraph. Monga, 16, has already agreed terms on a professional contract with the Foxes, but attention from the Premier League may yet complicate matters. The winger has played 25 times in the Championship this season, scoring once and grabbing a pair of assists.
– Newcastle United‘s asking price for the transfer of Anthony Gordon this summer is around £80 million, according to iNews. Bayern Munich have serious interest in the winger and are expected to make a formal bid to sign him at the end of the season. The England international has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, while Liverpool are thought to be long-term admirers.
– Tottenham Hotspur have struck an agreement in principle to sign Bournemouth center back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer, TalkSPORT has revealed. The Argentina international is expected to make the switch to North London at the end of the season, once his contract expires, though Spurs potential relegation could complicate things. Indeed, the proposed transfer hinges on them staying up as Senesi is not prepared to play in the Championship, while Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are also tracking his development.
– Borussia Dortmund have internally discussed a move for West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos in recent weeks, Sky Germany reports. The 28-year-old is wanted by several Bundesliga and Premier League clubs after a string of impressive recent performances, and is reported to be “seeking a new challenge” so will push to leave the club at the end of the season, despite having a contract until 2028.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen looks at Adam Wharton’s skillset.
Less than two years after making his debut, Wharton is now undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s most accomplished distributors of the ball. He constantly asks to receive it and is trusted not to lose possession under pressure. Then, once in control, his pass selection is outstanding: he can hit 35-yard switches with precision, incisive line-breaks through pressure, or well-weighted deliveries played into a teammate’s stride.
The quality of Wharton’s left foot is one standout feature, though it’s also his vision and ability to “map” the play around him that is key, as they allow him to move the ball at tempo with ease and fluidity.
Wharton has also shown he is comfortable in a high-intensity style of football. Under Oliver Glasner at Palace, the England midfielder has performed in an energetic, vertical scheme, where demands on speed of thought and defensive reactions are higher. Though he was impressive last season, he has lifted his key-pass output by roughly 10% this year, while still maintaining accuracy and pass variation. Crucially, the distribution isn’t location-specific either and he is as reliable starting attacks from deep as he is contributing in the final third.
OTHER RUMORS
1:29
Burley praises Lampard’s ‘amazing job’ after Coventry’s promotion
Craig Burley reflects on Coventry City’s promotion to the Premier League.
– Newcastle United are ready to cut their losses by letting striker Yoane Wissa leave the club at the end of the season for as little as £15 million after a disappointing £55 million transfer from Brentford. (iNews)
– Wolfsburg have reignited their interest in West Ham United striker Niclas Füllkrug. The Germany international is expected to return to East London this summer after AC Milan opted against activating his £5 million permanent option. (Sky Germany)
– Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, 29, is a target for Dutch club Ajax after falling down the pecking order in the Spanish capital. (AS)
– Defender David Alaba, 33, is expected to leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AC Milan are among the clubs monitoring Sporting center back Ousmane Diomande. (Nicolo Schira)
– Bournemouth and Besiktas are tracking Internazionale winger Luiz Henrique heading into the summer transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)
– Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich youngster Noël Aséko (currently on loan at Hannover), whose transfer is valued around €12 million mark. (Florian Plettenberg).
– Manchester City remain interested in signing Troyes youngster Mathys Detourbet, although no agreement exists between the two clubs at this stage. (Santi Aouna)
– Defender Jack Hendry will be leaving Al Ettifaq on a free transfer this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Everton are expected to try to sign Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney this summer, as he is open to a Premier League return. (Ekrem Konur)
King Charles shatters Prince Harry’s hope of face-to-face meeting
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