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Popovich steps down as Spurs coach after 29 years

Popovich steps down as Spurs coach after 29 years

Gregg Popovich has stepped down from his position as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 seasons with the team.On Friday the Spurs announced that Popovich, 76, will transition into the role of president of basketball operations at the organisation.Over 29 seasons Popovich oversaw 1,422 regular season victories - the most by a head coach in NBA history - and led the Spurs to five NBA championships, most recently in 2014."While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," said Popovich."I'm forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and I am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organisation, community and city that are so meaningful to me."Popovich has not been on the sidelines since suffering a mild stroke in November before a home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.In his absence the Spurs failed to reach the 2025 NBA play-offs - they have not played in the post-season since 2019 - after finishing the regular season with a 34-48 record.Popovich arrived in San Antonio in 1988 as an assistant coach, and after a two-year spell with the Golden State Warriors, returned to the Spurs as head coach in 1996.He was the longest serving active coach in any major US sport.The longest serving NBA coach is now Erik Spoelstra, 54, who has led the Miami Heat since the 2008-09 season.Popovich led the U.S. men's basketball team to gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and in 2023 was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2023.

5/2/2025 8:19:18 PM

No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player

No criminal charges will be brought against a professional ice hockey player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of Adam Johnson.The Nottingham Panthers player died after suffering a neck injury from a skate during a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave on 28 October 2023.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it worked with South Yorkshire Police to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought."We have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution," Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said.Mr Quinn added: "This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident."The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved."Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson."He said the police investigation had been "thorough" and the CPS had undertaken a "comprehensive review of all the evidence".The death of Johnson, who was from Minnesota in the US, sparked an outpouring of grief across the world.Johnson previously played in North America's National Hockey League (NHL), featuring 13 times for Pittsburgh Penguins.He made the move to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020-21 season, before spells with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League.Johnson played for Augsburger Panther in Germany before switching to the Nottingham Panthers in August.After his death, the player's aunt Kari Johnson told local Minnesota news station KSTP-TV said her nephew had been planning to propose to his partner, Ryan Wolfe.Ms Wolfe said: "I'll miss you forever and love you always."Ms Johnson added: "We were all really excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn't get a chance to ask her, and then this happened."The Panthers retired Johnson's number 47 jersey following a ceremony before their game with Fife Flyers in December 2024.Lynn DeGrio, another of Johnson's aunts, spoke at the event on behalf of the family, describing him as "humble, modest and down to earth".Panthers chief executive Omar Pacha also spoke at the ceremony, and said: "Adam was a top player, but he was an even better human being."Mr Pacha described Johnson as "a quiet, positive leader, a committed player that guys loved, and a huge, calming presence in the locker room", and added that he "cannot even imagine the feelings" that all of Johnson's friends and family "felt and still feel".The BBC understands Johnson was not wearing a neck guard when the collision occurred.Following his death, Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden wrote a prevention of future deaths report calling for neck guards in ice hockey to be made compulsory.She said she was concerned deaths may occur in the future if neck guards were not worn.A month earlier, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) announced that neck guards would be mandatory from 2024 onwards.However, the UK's top ice hockey division, the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) - which is not under the EIHA's control - said it would not make the use of neck guards mandatory, but added it would "strongly encourage" players and officials to wear them after Johnson's death.

4/29/2025 3:30:37 PM

Koundé Scores in Extra Time as Barcelona Beat Madrid in Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona defender Jules Koundé struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappé and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Koundé drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders."Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Koundé.Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday."They can make a party - for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for "throwing an object" onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official's report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates"."I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti."I don't know what happened at the end."Madrid had issued furious statements about the refereeing team on Friday after they criticised the club's television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.Controversy aside, the football was enthralling.End to endMbappé pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute, brought down after surging forward and firing home the free-kick off the post.Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading in Arda Guler's corner.Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard beat both and rolled home.Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger tripped Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure - but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.They found their winner when Koundé intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.The trio of dismissals and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on.The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.

4/27/2025 9:59:00 AM

Guardiola says Man City must show 'spirit' to get back on top

Pep Guardiola has vowed Manchester City will be back to their best next season after losing their "spirit" during a turbulent campaign that exposed an unexpected lack of hunger in his side.Currently third in the Premier League, City -- who had won the previous four English titles -- want to salvage a dismal year by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League via a top five finish.Guardiola's side face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday knowing defeat at Wembley would condemn them to finish without a major trophy for the first time since 2016-17.But Guardiola is already thinking about how to avoid a repeat of City's stunning struggles and he believes he has found the solution.The City boss noticed the passion his players celebrated with after Bernardo Silva put them ahead in a crucial 2-1 win against top-five rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday.It was a display of unity that Guardiola didn't see earlier in the season, when he felt City took success for granted after winning six of the last seven Premier League titles."We learn to do better. To create another bond with the team, to celebrate when we score a goal," he told reporters on Friday."When Bernardo scored the first goal on Tuesday we celebrated. The body language, the passion."We didn't celebrate the same way when we scored in October. That stupid detail tells a lot."We have to recover the spirit we had in the first nine years. This year we didn't have it."We will be backGuardiola hopes his quest to reignite his players' fire will eventually close the gap on champions-elect Liverpool."Next season will be better. Everybody learned the lesson. I think we will compete a bit better for the Premier League," he said."I'm not saying we will win it but we will be more who we are. I think the players understand. You have to fight to defend your club. I'm pretty sure we will be back again."Guardiola took heart from the way Rodri has been trying to inspire his team-mates as the Spain midfielder recovers from the knee injury that has sidelined him since September."I love that," Guardiola said. "The guy doesn't play and I allow him to be a manager."He will help the guys and it is the way we create a team. It is something special."City are aiming to reach the FA Cup final for a third successive season after winning the competition in 2023 and losing last year's showpiece against Manchester United.They face a tricky test from Nuno Espirito Santo's team after losing 1-0 at the City Ground in the Premier League in March, a result that maintained Forest's unexpected push for a first Champions League campaign since 1980-81."It would be good to make the final but we have a serious and tough rival. Nuno has been incredible," Guardiola said.This is the seventh successive season that City have reached the FA Cup semi-finals, but they have only lifted the trophy twice in the Guardiola era.No matter the result at Wembley, Guardiola acknowledged the season has been a failure."I said many times the season has not been good, regardless if we reach the final or go to the Champions League," he said."Too many matches have not been good. We would avoid bigger damage for the club if we win the cup. But what will dictate the season is the Premier League."

4/25/2025 5:57:03 PM

Mbappe aiming for Copa del Rey final return

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said striker Kylian Mbappe is poised to return from injury to face rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.Mbappe missed Madrid's win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in La Liga and will not be available for the visit to face Getafe on Wednesday.The French superstar was substituted with an ankle problem during Madrid's Champions League elimination by Arsenal last week, but along with compatriot Ferland Mendy, should be fit for the Clasico."For tomorrow's game they will not be ready, but they will train on these days, and I think they will be available for the game on Saturday," Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday.Mbappe was whistled by some Madrid fans when he appeared on screens at the Santiago Bernabeu during Madrid's 1-0 win against Athletic, which kept them four points behind leaders Barcelona in the title race."Mbappe is hurting because of his injury, because he cannot help the team -- he's doing everything he can to be ready for Saturday," continued Ancelotti.Without Mbappe, their top scorer this season with 33 goals, and using an extra midfielder, Madrid were more solid defensively against Athletic."I think the problems we have had this season have been quite evident," said Ancelotti."We have changed the way we play a bit because we have players with different characteristics."We've found it difficult to find this balance, and I hope we can find it in the run-in, because we've got a lot on the line... in the games that are left, if we don't have it, it will be hard to win."

4/22/2025 4:23:24 PM

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Popovich steps down as Spurs coach after 29 years

Gregg Popovich has stepped down from his position as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 seasons with the team.On Friday the Spurs announced that Popovich, 76, will transition into the role of president of basketball operations at the organisation.Over 29 seasons Popovich oversaw 1,422 regular season victories - the most by a head coach in NBA history - and led the Spurs to five NBA championships, most recently in 2014."While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," said Popovich."I'm forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and I am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organisation, community and city that are so meaningful to me."Popovich has not been on the sidelines since suffering a mild stroke in November before a home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.In his absence the Spurs failed to reach the 2025 NBA play-offs - they have not played in the post-season since 2019 - after finishing the regular season with a 34-48 record.Popovich arrived in San Antonio in 1988 as an assistant coach, and after a two-year spell with the Golden State Warriors, returned to the Spurs as head coach in 1996.He was the longest serving active coach in any major US sport.The longest serving NBA coach is now Erik Spoelstra, 54, who has led the Miami Heat since the 2008-09 season.Popovich led the U.S. men's basketball team to gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and in 2023 was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2023.

5/2/2025 8:19:18 PM

No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player

No criminal charges will be brought against a professional ice hockey player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of Adam Johnson.The Nottingham Panthers player died after suffering a neck injury from a skate during a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave on 28 October 2023.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it worked with South Yorkshire Police to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought."We have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution," Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said.Mr Quinn added: "This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident."The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved."Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson."He said the police investigation had been "thorough" and the CPS had undertaken a "comprehensive review of all the evidence".The death of Johnson, who was from Minnesota in the US, sparked an outpouring of grief across the world.Johnson previously played in North America's National Hockey League (NHL), featuring 13 times for Pittsburgh Penguins.He made the move to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020-21 season, before spells with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League.Johnson played for Augsburger Panther in Germany before switching to the Nottingham Panthers in August.After his death, the player's aunt Kari Johnson told local Minnesota news station KSTP-TV said her nephew had been planning to propose to his partner, Ryan Wolfe.Ms Wolfe said: "I'll miss you forever and love you always."Ms Johnson added: "We were all really excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn't get a chance to ask her, and then this happened."The Panthers retired Johnson's number 47 jersey following a ceremony before their game with Fife Flyers in December 2024.Lynn DeGrio, another of Johnson's aunts, spoke at the event on behalf of the family, describing him as "humble, modest and down to earth".Panthers chief executive Omar Pacha also spoke at the ceremony, and said: "Adam was a top player, but he was an even better human being."Mr Pacha described Johnson as "a quiet, positive leader, a committed player that guys loved, and a huge, calming presence in the locker room", and added that he "cannot even imagine the feelings" that all of Johnson's friends and family "felt and still feel".The BBC understands Johnson was not wearing a neck guard when the collision occurred.Following his death, Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden wrote a prevention of future deaths report calling for neck guards in ice hockey to be made compulsory.She said she was concerned deaths may occur in the future if neck guards were not worn.A month earlier, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) announced that neck guards would be mandatory from 2024 onwards.However, the UK's top ice hockey division, the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) - which is not under the EIHA's control - said it would not make the use of neck guards mandatory, but added it would "strongly encourage" players and officials to wear them after Johnson's death.

4/29/2025 3:30:37 PM

Koundé Scores in Extra Time as Barcelona Beat Madrid in Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona defender Jules Koundé struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappé and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Koundé drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders."Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Koundé.Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday."They can make a party - for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for "throwing an object" onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official's report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates"."I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti."I don't know what happened at the end."Madrid had issued furious statements about the refereeing team on Friday after they criticised the club's television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.Controversy aside, the football was enthralling.End to endMbappé pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute, brought down after surging forward and firing home the free-kick off the post.Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading in Arda Guler's corner.Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard beat both and rolled home.Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger tripped Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure - but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.They found their winner when Koundé intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.The trio of dismissals and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on.The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.

4/27/2025 9:59:00 AM

Guardiola says Man City must show 'spirit' to get back on top

Pep Guardiola has vowed Manchester City will be back to their best next season after losing their "spirit" during a turbulent campaign that exposed an unexpected lack of hunger in his side.Currently third in the Premier League, City -- who had won the previous four English titles -- want to salvage a dismal year by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League via a top five finish.Guardiola's side face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday knowing defeat at Wembley would condemn them to finish without a major trophy for the first time since 2016-17.But Guardiola is already thinking about how to avoid a repeat of City's stunning struggles and he believes he has found the solution.The City boss noticed the passion his players celebrated with after Bernardo Silva put them ahead in a crucial 2-1 win against top-five rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday.It was a display of unity that Guardiola didn't see earlier in the season, when he felt City took success for granted after winning six of the last seven Premier League titles."We learn to do better. To create another bond with the team, to celebrate when we score a goal," he told reporters on Friday."When Bernardo scored the first goal on Tuesday we celebrated. The body language, the passion."We didn't celebrate the same way when we scored in October. That stupid detail tells a lot."We have to recover the spirit we had in the first nine years. This year we didn't have it."We will be backGuardiola hopes his quest to reignite his players' fire will eventually close the gap on champions-elect Liverpool."Next season will be better. Everybody learned the lesson. I think we will compete a bit better for the Premier League," he said."I'm not saying we will win it but we will be more who we are. I think the players understand. You have to fight to defend your club. I'm pretty sure we will be back again."Guardiola took heart from the way Rodri has been trying to inspire his team-mates as the Spain midfielder recovers from the knee injury that has sidelined him since September."I love that," Guardiola said. "The guy doesn't play and I allow him to be a manager."He will help the guys and it is the way we create a team. It is something special."City are aiming to reach the FA Cup final for a third successive season after winning the competition in 2023 and losing last year's showpiece against Manchester United.They face a tricky test from Nuno Espirito Santo's team after losing 1-0 at the City Ground in the Premier League in March, a result that maintained Forest's unexpected push for a first Champions League campaign since 1980-81."It would be good to make the final but we have a serious and tough rival. Nuno has been incredible," Guardiola said.This is the seventh successive season that City have reached the FA Cup semi-finals, but they have only lifted the trophy twice in the Guardiola era.No matter the result at Wembley, Guardiola acknowledged the season has been a failure."I said many times the season has not been good, regardless if we reach the final or go to the Champions League," he said."Too many matches have not been good. We would avoid bigger damage for the club if we win the cup. But what will dictate the season is the Premier League."

4/25/2025 5:57:03 PM

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