Henrique Hilário has departed from Chelsea after an 18-year tenure to take on the role of goalkeeping coach for the England national team under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel, who previously collaborated with Hilário during his time at Stamford Bridge, is set to officially start his new position on January 1. The vacancy for the goalkeeping coach arose after Martyn Margetson left following Gareth Southgate's resignation as manager last summer. Tuchel quickly identified Hilário as a key addition to his coaching staff, preferring a streamlined team. Chelsea was hesitant to allow Hilário to split his time between the club and the national team, which ultimately led him to submit his resignation. Chelsea is not expected to seek a replacement for the former Portugal goalkeeper.

Warren Gatland remains committed to his role as head coach of Wales, despite facing significant criticism and a troubling losing streak. Following a disappointing 52-20 defeat to Australia, which marked the team's 11th consecutive loss, Gatland stated that he would consider resigning if it were truly in the best interests of Welsh rugby. However, he firmly believes that stepping down is not the right course of action at this time. In the wake of the defeat, Gatland engaged in discussions with his family and the Welsh Rugby Union about his future. Nevertheless, he has chosen to focus on preparing the team for their upcoming match against South Africa, emphasizing his dedication to the role. As the pressure mounts, Gatland's position appears increasingly precarious, with public support dwindling. The looming possibility of a 12th straight defeat adds to the urgency of the situation, but for now, Gatland is determined to concentrate on the task at hand.

Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, is among the 25 modern-era candidates for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Manning is well-known for his victories over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He is joined on the shortlist by notable players such as prolific tight end Antonio Gates and dominant pass rusher Jared Allen. The Hall of Fame announced the semi-finalists on Wednesday, following a selection committee's decision to narrow down a list of 50 nominees put forth by a newly established screening committee. This year's list features six players in their first year of eligibility, along with ten players who were finalists in the previous year.

**Celebrating a Milestone: Meet the F1 Mechanic Approaching His 600th Consecutive Race** This weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Aston Martin will commemorate a remarkable milestone as Andy Stevenson, the team's sporting director, prepares to celebrate his 600th consecutive Grand Prix. This achievement is particularly impressive considering Stevenson has not missed a single race since he began his career with the team in 1987. Stevenson's passion for Formula 1 was evident from a young age. He even documented his aspirations in writing, revealing his childhood dream to work with fast cars and travel the globe. "My mother recently found the paperwork from my first visit to the careers office, which stated my desire to work with fast cars and explore the world," he recalls with a grin. As he approaches this significant milestone, Stevenson shows no signs of slowing down, embodying a dedication to the sport that has spanned decades.

**Socceroos Navigate Narrow Path as World Cup Qualification Pressure Mounts** Australia's national football team, the Socceroos, has managed to regain some stability since the appointment of Tony Popovic as head coach. However, as they pursue qualification for the 2026 World Cup, they can no longer afford to rely on favorable outcomes from other teams. In the fast-paced world of football, events can unfold so quickly that it feels as if time itself is warped. This has certainly been the case for the Socceroos over the past few months. It may seem like a distant memory, but it has only been 62 days since Graham Arnold stepped down from his position as head coach. After six years in charge, Arnold felt exhausted and believed his message was no longer resonating with the players. Just three days later, Tony Popovic was named as his successor, stepping in at a crucial moment as Football Australia sought to salvage a campaign that was on the brink of collapse. As the Socceroos continue their journey, the margin for error is becoming increasingly slim, and they must find a way to secure their own fate on the road to the World Cup.

**Rejigged India Looks to Build on 2021 Success Amidst Challenges** As the Indian Test team arrives in Australia in late 2024, they find themselves in a unique position—acting as defending champions. Historically, Asian teams have struggled in Australia, with 30 tours since 1947 yielding no series victories. Most of these attempts ended in disappointment, with Australia claiming 24 wins and six matches drawn. However, in January 2019, India broke this long-standing drought in Sydney, managing to secure a draw that allowed them to clinch the series 2-1. This marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time an Asian team had triumphed in Australia. Two years later, India returned and achieved the feat again, this time with a remarkable comeback highlighted by a record-breaking run chase in Brisbane. These victories established India as the first subcontinental team to conquer Australia, overcoming the formidable home bowling attack on both occasions. Last year, the tables turned when Australia visited India, where they faced a heavy defeat in Nagpur and Delhi, allowing India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with remarkable ease. This victory underscored India's dominance at home, where they had been nearly unbeatable for over a decade. As they embark on this new series, the Indian team, now featuring some fresh faces, aims to continue their success in Australia. However, they are aware that the challenges ahead will not be easy, and they must draw on their past experiences to navigate the uphill battle that lies before them.

Tottenham Hotspur has lodged an appeal against the length of the seven-match ban handed to midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur for comments he made regarding teammate Son Heung-min. The Football Association announced on Monday that Bentancur would face a suspension that includes six Premier League matches and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. The 27-year-old Uruguayan international was charged with misconduct in September following a television interview he conducted in his home country in June. His remarks, which referenced Son's race, were deemed an aggravated breach of conduct. During the interview, when asked to provide a shirt belonging to a Spurs player, Bentancur responded, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.” While Tottenham accepts the finding of guilt, they argue that the FA's sanction is excessively harsh.

Farewell, Rafael Nadal: A Tribute to One of Sports' Most Gracious Champions The quiet man from Mallorca may not have been able to halt the passage of time on his aging body, but what a remarkable life and career he has had—truly the embodiment of tennis's essence. Elite sports are a unique blend of ritual, repetition, ingrained habits, honed skills, recognized strengths, and acknowledged limits. Yet, none of this holds significance without passion, and sometimes even that is insufficient. At 38 years old and in decent, though not peak, condition, Rafael Nadal brought all these elements together during his farewell match in Málaga. He gave it his all, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory. Accepting defeat in his final match with the same grace he displayed in his first at the age of 15, Nadal showed his true character. The loss stung, but he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

**The Spin | A Decade After Phillip Hughes’ Tragic Death: How Much Has Cricket Changed?** Safety in cricket has significantly evolved, yet the memory of Phillip Hughes lingers whenever a helmet is struck. Hailing from Macksville, a quaint town nestled between Sydney and Brisbane, Hughes developed a unique ritual. After each century, he would collect the match ball and inscribe the date and score on its seam. His collection grew to fill baskets. His father, a banana farmer who tirelessly supported his son’s passion—setting up the bowling machine and driving him to matches—estimated that Hughes had scored around 68 or 70 centuries before he left home at just 17. His remarkable talent transformed him into a near-mythical figure, with whispers of his prowess spreading from small towns to the city. At the age of 12, he even shared a player of the competition award with a 37-year-old, showcasing his extraordinary skill at such a young age. As we reflect on the decade since his untimely passing, the impact of Hughes’ legacy continues to resonate within the sport, particularly in discussions surrounding player safety.

Carlos Alcaraz praised Rafael Nadal's "eternal" legacy following Spain's exit from the Davis Cup, where Nadal played his final match. Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge of living up to Nadal's remarkable achievements but expressed gratitude for having had Nadal's influence in tennis, in Spain, and in his own life.