JB Bickerstaff
January 2026
Bickerstaff will coach at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game after Detroit held the Eastern Conference’s best record through Feb. 1, marking his first All-Star head coaching selection. He becomes Detroit’s first All-Star head coach since Flip Saunders in 2005-06, with the 2026 game set for Feb. 15 on NBC and Peacock.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
January 2026
Carrick said Solskjaer contacted him to congratulate him after United chose Carrick over Solskjaer following Amorim’s dismissal. United were reported to have considered bringing Solskjaer back, but opted for Carrick, who then started with a 2-0 win over Manchester City and reiterated his focus on raising standards and uniting players and fans.
Xabi Alonso
January 2026
A report says Liverpool have made a first approach to Alonso as they consider future managerial options, with Slot still in charge but under scrutiny during an inconsistent title defence. The claim is that Liverpool sounded out Alonso’s interest, with the coach currently available after leaving Real Madrid. Despite a short spell in Madrid, his reputation remains strong from his Leverkusen success, and the report suggests Liverpool view him as a near-future option, possibly for 2026-27.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
Reports claim United academy players and parents are pleased Carrick replaced Amorim, after Amorim criticised “entitlement” among youth players and faced public pushback linked to Mainoo’s lack of first-team minutes. Amorim’s comments followed social media complaints by Amass and Obi and a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” t-shirt worn by Mainoo’s half-brother. Carrick’s approach is described as welcoming, and his early impact was highlighted by a 2-0 derby win over City and praise from Lisandro Martinez for harnessing the crowd’s energy.
Ja Morant
January 2026
Morant is expected to miss at least the next three weeks after spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, another disruption in a season where he has played 20 of 43 games. The injury happened in the loss to the Hawks and was confirmed by the team, with a re-evaluation timeline set. It follows a recent calf absence and continues an interrupted campaign amid ongoing trade speculation.
Thomas Frank
January 2026
Frank was targeted by “sacked in the morning” chants after Spurs drew 2-2 with 19th-placed Burnley, leaving Tottenham five league games without a win and deepening fears ahead of a difficult February run. Van de Ven opened the scoring, Tuanzebe equalised, Foster put Burnley ahead, and Romero rescued a point in stoppage time. Frank defended the overall performance but admitted two defensive moments cost them, as fan frustration escalated after recent poor domestic form.
Virgil van Dijk
January 2026
Van Dijk was blamed for Bournemouth’s opener after misplaying a long ball, as Liverpool’s defensive chaos and a delayed substitution after Gomez collided with Alisson contributed to a 3-2 defeat despite a brief comeback. Scott collected Van Dijk’s mistake and crossed for Evanilson. Gomez went off injured, but Endo’s entry was delayed and Liverpool played short-handed, conceding again. Liverpool rallied through Van Dijk and Szoboszlai, but Bournemouth’s late winner sealed it.
Benfica fans
January 2026
Around 200 Benfica supporters entered the Seixal training base to protest results and demand answers, holding a tense meeting with Mourinho, Otamendi and Sabrosa as pressure mounts on the club’s season. Police attended and allowed entry after assurances of a peaceful protest. The group insisted on full access rather than a small delegation, then gathered on a training pitch for an hour-long discussion before leaving, following exits from cups and a league gap to leaders Porto.
Mykhailo Mudryk
January 2026
Rosenior said he hopes to speak with Mudryk soon as the winger remains under an indefinite provisional ban after an FA anti-doping charge, with the case still unresolved and a potential four-year suspension possible. Mudryk said the positive test was a shock and denied knowingly taking banned substances, citing confidentiality while his team investigates. He cannot train with teammates under the ban and has kept a low profile, while Shakhtar have publicly backed him as innocent.
Devin Booker
January 2026
Booker suffered a painful right ankle roll late in the third quarter after landing on Okongwu’s foot, while Green was removed early as a precaution due to tightness in just his second game back from a long hamstring absence. Booker walked off under his own power but was clearly limited; the Suns plan full assessment after returning to Phoenix. Coaches framed Green’s exit as preventative, given his recent recovery and heavy rehab workload.
