The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Hue Jackson Dismissed by Browns After 2-5-1 Season Start

The move comes after a 2-5-1 start to the 2018 season, which saw multiple stumbles and devastating losses for the franchise, and an incomprehensible three wins in over two seasons under the regime. Jackson’s 3-36-1 record with the Browns is the worst head-coaching record for one team in NFL history. He never won a game on the road, as the Browns were 0-20 during Jackson’s tenure, the worst road record by any coach with a single team in the Super Bowl era.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been named the interim coach in the meantime. The second-year coach with the team has seen relative success: the Browns have improved significantly on defense and are first in the league in takeaways in 2018 with 22. He’s a longtime NFL coach with years of defensive experience, but is most notable for his involvement in “Bounty-gate,” which involved Saints players being paid for hits that injured opponents. Williams would be suspended for an entire season, the longest in league history.

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Freddie Kitchens will serve as defensive coordinator in Williams’ place.

Jackson joins Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, who was fired after a winless (0-6) start to the 2018 season, leaving two voids at the heads of Cleveland sports — and in the hearts of Cleveland fans — again.

On Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers fired pitching coach Chris Bosio after it was revealed he made insensitive remarks to another team employee.

Tigers Fire Pitching Coach Chris Bosio

General manager Al Avila told ESPN that bullpen coach Rick Anderson will replace Bosio. Andeson will in turn be replaced by pitching instructor A.J. Sager. 

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Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson commented on the unfortunate nature of the situation.

“We’re sorry to everyone that it affected,” Wilson told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s not a good day here. It’s a sad day. But we’re going to move forward, and hopefully this brings us closer than we’ve ever been.”

The exact comment Bosio made has not as of yet been revealed, although according to Fox News, a local television station said the coach used “racially charged language” to address the employee in question. The Tigers released the following statement on the incident:

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Bosio, 55, is a former MLB pitcher who payed for Seattle and Milwaukee and who had just joined the Tigers this year after working as the Chicago Cubs’ pitching coach for six seasons.

During his time in Chicago, Bosio helped lead the team to record the lowest ERA in MLB for three straight years (2015-2017). The Cubs won the World Series in 2016 and advanced to the NL Championship series in 2017.

The Tigers (36-45) are third in the AL Central, half-a-game behind second-place Minnesota and nine games behind leader Cleveland. Detroit has lost eight straight games, the last of which was a 3-0 home loss to the Oakland Athletics.

Jeff Hornacek’s short time with the New York Knicks is over.

Jeff Hornacek Fired by Knicks

The team announced Wednesday night after their regular-season finale — a 110-98 victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland — that it was firing their head coach after just two seasons.

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The coach had one year remaining on his contract. Hornacek — a former Phoenix Suns coach — led the Knicks to a 60-104 overall record, the sixth-worst in the NBA during the last two years, per ESPN Stats & Information.

“Jeff is a true professional who has worked tirelessly for this organization the last two seasons,” Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry said in a joint statement. “We sincerely appreciate his efforts and considerable contributions to the team and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

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Kurt Rambis, an associate head coach under Hornacek, was also fired.

“Kurt has been a big part of the Knicks over these last four seasons, as both an associate head coach and interim head coach,” Perry and Mills stated. “We thank him for his dedication to New York and wish him the best moving forward.”

Hornacek was one of several NBA head coaches fired by Thursday morning. Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic was also fired after a two-season tenure.

The Knicks (29-53) finished 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Among the people the team is reportedly considering to replace Hornacek are former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson. 

The Knicks are also reportedly hoping to contact Jerry Stackhouse, the head coach of the Toronto Raptors’ G-League affiliate Toronto 905.

However, according to a New York Daily News article, the Knicks are also looking to contact Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright to meet with him about possibly replacing Hornacek.

Wright just led the Wildcats to their second NCAA title in three years. He has been with Villanova since 2001. Wright’s team has only missed the NCAA Tournament once and has advanced to three Final Fours in the last 13 years.

Since Wright has built such a strong team at Nova in recent years, some people believe he may not be so keen to leave the program just yet.

The Knicks haven’t reached the postseason in five years and only count one playoff series victory in the last 18 seasons.

Rich Rodriguez of the University of Arizona is the latest prominent figure to face the consequences of sexual harassment.

Rich Rodriguez Arizona sexual harassment scandal news

The Wildcats fired their head football coach Tuesday after conducting an investigation into allegations of misconduct against 54-year-old Rodriguez, who had led the football team since 2012.

A $7.5 million notice of claim was filed against Rodriguez last week with the state attorney general’s office accusing him of running a hostile workplace. The claim states a lawsuit is imminent.

The university began its probe into the allegations against Rodriguez in October, hiring a law firm as part of the process. Nevertheless, one former employee of Arizona’s athletic department who accused Rodriguez refused to participate or turn over communications that she said would prove her claim, a statement said. The school therefore determined the accusation could not be sustained.

“However, Arizona Athletics did become aware of information, both before and during the investigation, which caused it to be concerned with the direction and climate of the football program,” the statement said.

Here is the full statement released by Arizona, as shared by SBNation’s Bum Chillups:

Rodriguez posted his own statement on Twitter late Tuesday saying he felt “deeply disappointed” to learn of his termination. He also said Arizona was “buying out his contract.”

The former coach also claimed that during the probe he had voluntarily taken a polygraph test and passed it. Rodriguez added his accuser’s allegations were “baseless and false,” although he confirmed one claim from the findings of the probe: that he had an extramarital affair with a woman not affiliated with the university.

Rodriguez’s firing comes amid a slew of other sexual harassment or assault allegations against famous men across several industries. Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Louis C.K., Democratic Senator Al Franken and veteran journalists Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, among dozens of others.

 Rodriguez reportedly has a $6.3 million buyout in his contract, which was extended to 2020, if he is terminated without cause. The former West Virginia defensive back previously served as head coach of other football programs including Michigan, West Virginia and Glenville State.

The Wildcats were 2-9 in 2016 and finished this season 7-6 (5-4 in the Pac-12 South for third in the conference). Arizona stared off strong in 2017, going 6-2, but then lost four of its final five games.

Rodriguez finished with an overall record of 118-83 at Arizona, Michigan and West Virginia. He was 43-35 in six seasons with the Wildcats, who reached five Bowl games in his tenure, and he was also Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2014.

It is also unclear whether the 16 high school seniors who pledged to play for Arizona last month during the inaugural early signing period will be able to get out of their commitments.

Major League Baseball analyst Gregg Zaun has been fired from Sportsnet due to “inappropriate behaviour and comments” toward female employees.

Blue Jays analyst Gregg Zaun sexual harassment news

Rogers Media President Rick Brace said in a statement Thursday that the company would terminate the contract of the 46-year-old Toronto Blue Jays analyst effective immediately.

“This week, we received complaints from multiple female employees at Sportsnet regarding inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Zaun in the workplace,” the statement said. “After investigating the matter, we decided to terminate his contract, effective immediately. This type of behaviour completely contradicts our standards and our core values. We believe in a professional workplace where all employees feel comfortable and respected. We are grateful to our employees who spoke with us and we will take every measure to protect their privacy.”

Zaun, a former Blue Jays catcher, started a part-time broadcasting career with Sportsnet following the 2006 season. He originally inked a two-year contract as an MLB studio analyst with Sportsnet in 2011 and continued working with the network until his firing.

He played 16 MLB seasons, including five years in Toronto from 2004-2008. He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997.

Zaun’s termination comes in the wake of a string of dismissals of other prominent journalists or Hollywood celebrities for sexual harassment or assault. Allegations of misconduct have also surfaced in the political arena. Among the most recently accused famous men are Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, CBS and PBS anchor Charlie Rose and Today Show co-host Matt Lauer.

Zaun, who called himself “the Manalyst,” was mocked on Twitter in 2012 after he tweeted an offensive comment about women in a Toronto nightclub.

This April, Zaun lambasted Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman for being overly animated on the mound during a series against the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander said on Twitter: “Outside opinions are irrelevant. Especially when they come from sources with zero credibility” when a fan tweeted at Stroman about Zaun’s comments.

Zaun was also alleged in 2007 to have taken performance-enhancing drugs, although he later denied those claims.

Zaun was scheduled to speak a fundraiser for the University of the Fraser Valley baseball program in Abbotsford, B.C., in February, but organizers released a statement Thursday saying they were pulling him from the event.

“In light of the allegations of inappropriate behavior in the workplace against Zaun which led to his termination by Sportsnet today, UFV Baseball is seeking a new speaker for the event, which will proceed as scheduled,” the statement said.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Greg Zaun against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays April 6, 2007 in St. Petersburg. The Rays beat the Jays 6 – 5. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Mark Sampson, England’s women’s soccer team manager, has been fired by the Football Association following allegations that he behaved inappropriately with his players.

Mark Sampson Firing News

The FA’s chief executive, Martin Glenn, said the 34-year-old Welshman “overstepped the professional boundaries between player and coach” during his tenure as manager of Bristol’s Women’s team from 2009 to 2013. (Sampson then became coach of England’s women’s team).

At Bristol, Sampson first worked with ten-to-16-year-olds and later as the senior first-team coach. More than one player made claims against Sampson, and FA chairman Greg Clarke stated they ranged from the “trivial to the very serious,” although no specific incidents were disclosed.

According to several reports, the allegations against Sampson were first made anonymously in March 2014, three months after he left Bristol Academy to become coach of the Lionesses. The FA’s safeguarding and investigations team began inquiries into the claims shortly afterward. However, Glenn joined the FA one year after the allegations first arose, and says he was not informed of the probe until October 2015. He read the full report last week and handed it to Clarke.

Additionally, 30-year-old former England forward Eni Aluko — who is Nigerian-born — told The Guardian that Sampson had bullied and harassed her and made racial remarks about her. Aluko currently plays for the Chelsea Ladies of the British Women’s Soccer League.

However, The Sun reports that Sampson was fired for conduct not related to Aluko’s case.

Sampson has recently enjoyed success as England’s women’s manager: his squad reached the semi-finals at Euro 2017 this summer and routed Russia 6-0 in their first World Cup Qualifying match. Sampson’s contract was due to expire in June 2019, although the Guardian reported that Glenn told him in a phone call on Wednesday afternoon that “it would be terminated immediately”

Glenn has vowed that a probe into Aluko’s allegations — as well as those made by another mixed-race player named Drew Spence — would continue.

Sampson’s firing comes almost exactly 12 months after former England men’s team manager Sam Allardyce was forced to resign amid a newspaper sting after just one game in charge. Allardyce — who replaced Roy Hodgson as England boss following the national team’s embarrassing loss to Iceland in the Round of 16 of the Euro 2016 tournament — was replaced by current manager Gareth Southgate. 

DEVENTER, NETHERLANDS – JULY 30: Mark Sampson, head coach of England gives his team instructions during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Quarter Final match between France and England at Stadion De Adelaarshorst on July 30, 2017 in Deventer, Netherlands. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers fired general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, and several of the team’s former players have already begun celebrating on social media.

Panthers Dave Gettleman news

“After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager,” team owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement. “I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our success over the past four seasons. While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed.”

Richardson did not add who would be in charge of personnel in the interim. Whoever replaces Gettleman will become the third GM head coach Ron Rivera will have worked with.

The move comes just days before the Panthers are scheduled to begin training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, 66-year-old Gettleman — who had been with the Panthers since 2013 — was in a “shaky” place with the team’s ownership. Rapoport noted “rumblings that all was not well” between Gettleman and Richardson after the GM let Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman to walk last offseason.

Norman signed a major deal with the Washington Redskins last offseason after the Panthers pulled his franchise tag.  The cornerback and two other former Carolina players — Steve Smith Sr. and DeAngelo Williams — rapidly took to Twitter to express their satisfaction with the team’s decision to terminate Gettleman, a former New York Giants executive.

Of the three, Norman was the least explicit:

Smith — who joined the NFL Network as an analyst in February after playing 16 years in the NFL — never seemed to get over the Panthers’ decision to release him before the 2014 season. The former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver tweeted a photo of himself laughing, adding the caption: “It’s OK! Dave I know how you feel… #agent89 #stevesmithsr.”

Most fans seemed to have enjoyed Smith’s reaction the most.

Finally, Williams — a free-agent running back who recently made his pro wrestling debut — brought up what he said in an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter last week: that the Panthers were one of four teams he refused to play for due to his nasty exit from the team following the 2014 season. Williams tweeted on Monday that he had changed his mind about Carolina given the firing of Gettleman, whom he called a “snake:”

Williams was released by the Panthers in March 2015 after nine seasons with the franchise, during which he broke several records including most career rushing yards (6,846).

The other three teams Williams told Shefter he would not consider playing for are the Dallas Cowboys, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Cleveland Browns. “You don’t go back to exes, and that’s just where I’m at there,” the pass rusher said in the interview.

The Panthers have lost several top executives this year. Team president Danny Morrison resigned in February, while assistant general manager Brandon Beane left in May to serve as the Buffalo Bills’ GM. Beane is now reunited with head coach Sean McDermott, who was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2016.

Gettleman previously worked as a scout for the Bills, Giants and Denver Broncos, and boasts more than 30 years of experience in the NFL. Although the Panthers finished 6-10 last season, the team did reach some success under Gettleman: Carolina made an appearance in Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season, and reached the playoffs the two previous years.

The Panthers were 40-23-1 in Gettleman’s four years as GM.

The Giants won two Super Bowls (after the 2007 and 2011 seasons) with Gettleman as GM.

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 13: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers yells for his team to get back to their sidelie after being call for unsportsmanlike conduct during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 38-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Indiana Hoosiers missed out on this year’s NCAA Tournament and on Thursday, they announced another loss they suffered: that of their head coach, Tom Crean, who was fired after nine seasons.

Crean, last season’s Big Ten coach of the year, was terminated two days after Indiana fell to Georgia Tech in the first round of the NIT, an end to a tenure during which the coach, who will be 51 later this month, was never quite able to restore the Hoosiers to greatness.

Despite winning two Big 10 championships under Crean—whose brother-in-law is Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh— Indiana (18-16) missed the NCAA Tournament five times and reached it four during his tenure.

In those four years, the Hoosiers never advanced beyond the Round of 16. They have won five national championships in their program’s history.

“Ultimately we seek more consistent high levels of success, and we will not shy away from our expectations,” Athletic Director Fred Glass said in a statement.

Success indeed came early for Indiana this season: they defeated Kansas and North Carolina– both top seeds in the NCAA Tournament— to become the No. 3 team in the nation. But when Big 10 play began, the Hoosiers struggled. They lost 10 of their first 15 conference games, including seven of eight in a dreary four-week stretch across January and February. Indiana finished 10th and then fell to Wisconsin in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

Crean joined Indiana in 2008 from Marquette, where he reached the Final Four with a team led by Dwyane Wade in 2003. He took over a Hoosiers program tarnished by a recruiting scandal that culminated in the firing of his predecessor, Kelvin Sampson.

Crean’s process of reinvigorating Indiana’s basketball program was a gradual one. In his first season as coach, the Hoosiers suffered their worst campaign in school history, going 6-25 over all, 1-17 in conference play. They improved from there, their breakout season coming in 2011-12, when they went 27-9. The subsequent season, Indiana went 29-7 and won the Big 10 Tournament, though it lost to Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.

Only U.C.L.A. and Kentucky have won more national championships than Indiana, which is tied with Duke and North Carolina for third on that list. However, the Hoosiers have not won a national championship in over 30 years.

The Washington Redskins terminated general manager Scot McCloughan on Thursday, slightly more than two years after hiring him to resuscitate their organization.

Scot McCloughan Fired as Redskins GM after two years

The move follows weeks of speculation regarding his future with the Redskins and reports of issues between him and the team.

McCloughan, 46, was prevented from speaking to the media at the Senior Bowl and missed last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, citing a death in the family as his reason earlier in February.

Redskins president Bruce Allen released the following statement on McCloughan’s firing:

“The Washington Redskins have released Scot McCloughan from the organization effective immediately. We wish him success in his future endeavors. The team will have no further comment on his departure. The organization remains confident in our personnel department as we execute our free agency plans as well as prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.”

According to the Washington Post, an official with direct knowledge of the situation said McCoughan’s ongoing issues with alcohol may have been the primary reason for the team’s decision. McCloughan’s alcoholic tendencies also caused him to be fired from front-office with the San Francisco 49ers in 2010 and Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

“He’s had multiple relapses due to alcohol,” said the official, who spoke on a condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on personnel matters. “He showed up in the locker room drunk on multiple occasions. . . . This has been a disaster for 18 months.”

The official added McCloughan has received alcohol treatment since he first joined the Redskins in January 2015, although he hasn’t actively worked for the franchise in weeks. Even before he abruptly left the team’s home stadium late last month, the GM had already been placed in “timeout” due to his inappropriate behavior, according to the official.

Neither McCloughan nor his agent, Peter Schaffer, have commented on the Redskins’ decision. McCloughan’s wife Jessica tweeted late Thursday night: “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence & making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

McCloughan has not denied his past problems with alcohol, and even went as far as to admit publicly that he is capable of drinking and performing his job adequately.

The timing of this issue seems terrible for the Redskins, as it came on the first day of NFL free agency, when teams around the league can begin signing veteran players to improve their rosters.

McCloughan’s departure leaves Daniel Snyder searching for what will be the fifth general manager of his 18-year tenure as Redskins owner.

The Redskins went 8-7-1 and finished third in the NFC East in 2016. They have finished a combined 17-14-1 the past two years, with one NFC East title. Before McCloughan’s hiring, Washington had won seven games combined in two seasons.

The team franchise-tagged quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason after they were unable to work out a long-term deal with him.

The Redskins also signed former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor to a one-year, $8 million deal on Friday. Pryor recorded 1,007 yards on 77 catches and four touchdowns with Cleveland last season.

LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 20: General Manager Scot McCloughan of the Washington Redskins talks on the phone prior to the start of a game against the St. Louis Rams at FedExField on September 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)

As their first season back in Los Angeles in over 20 years nears its end, the Rams have made a bold move.

Rams Fire Coach Jeff Fisher After Losing Eight Of Nine Games

The team announced on Monday afternoon that they are firing head coach Jeff Fisher. 

Fisher, 58, has been the Rams’ head coach since 2012. In that time, he has compiled a 31-45-1 record with no playoff appearances. Fisher signed a two-year contract extension just before the start of the 2016 season.

A Fisher-led team has not had a winning record since 2008, when he coached the Titans to a 13-3 record.

Special teams coordinator John Fassel will be the Rams’ interim coach, the team stated.

The Rams (4-9) suffered a brutal 42-14 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, their fourth straight loss and eighth in the last nine games. Los Angeles’ three previous losses came against the Dolphins, Saints and Patriots.

“Making a decision such as this — especially during the season — is one of the most difficult in sports,” said Rams owner Stanley Kroenke. “I have great respect for Jeff as a coach, person, father and friend.

Kroenke continued: “He has worked tirelessly despite some challenging circumstances. He played an integral role in helping this team make history in returning the NFL to Los Angeles, and we always will be grateful for his commitment and dedication to our organization.

“However, this is the right time to make a change as our performance has not lived up to my or our fans’ expectations. We all are focused on improving as an organization and building a team that makes Los Angeles proud. Our mission is to celebrate a Super Bowl title with our fans in Los Angeles. Today is the first step to bringing us closer to that goal.”

The Rams began their season 3-1, but then poor quarterback play from incumbent Case Keenum– coupled with lingering calls by fans and critics for 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff to start ahead of Keenum– hung over the team.

The Rams will next play the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday.

SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Jeff Fisher of the Los Angeles Rams yells during their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Florida Panthers confirmed on Monday morning the firing of coach Gerard Gallant and that general manger Tom Rowe has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2016-2017 season.

Florida Panthers Fire Coach Gerard Gallant; GM Tom Rowe Becomes Interim Coach

Assistant coach Mike Kelly was also relieved of his duties.

“My focus is solely on turning our season around, fixing our special teams and securing a playoff berth,” Rowe said in a statement.

The change was made Sunday night following the Panthers’ 3-2 loss at Carolina. The Panthers fell to 11-10-1 through 22 games, good for just 10th in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, they’re only two points out of a playoff berth.

The Panthers gave Gallant a two-year contract extension last season, one in which he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year after the team set franchise records for wins (47) and points in a season (103).

On the day Gallant’s extension was announced, the Panthers also signed then-GM Dale Tallon to a three-year deal.

Tallon was replaced by Rowe after the playoff loss to the New York Islanders, with Tallon being named president of hockey operations.

When asked about being signed through 2019, Gallant smiled and said, “there’s no guarantee I’ll be here, but at least I have the contract.”

A source close to Gallant stated he felt his job was in jeopardy for some time.

Gallant reportedly spoke to the media after Sunday’s game but before he was informed of the front office decision.

The Panthers kicked off a six-game road trip with Sunday’s loss; Florida is now off to Chicago, where it will play the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. The Panthers were scheduled to have Monday off.

“For five minutes we let them come back in the game and they scored three big goals,” Gallant told Fox Sports Florida following the game. “That was disappointing because we probably played 55 good minutes. It wasn’t enough. You can’t have those kind of letdowns and they killed us.”

Rowe, 60, joined the Panthers in 2013 after Kevin Dineen was fired at the start of that season.

When Peter Horachek was brought up from Florida’s AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine, to take over for Dineen, Rowe went behind the bench there.

Jurgen Klinsmann has seen both highs and lows over his five years as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, but now his reign has reached its end.

Jurgen Klinsmann Fired As U.S. Men’s National Team Coach

The 52-year-old German was fired on Monday by U.S. Soccer.

The federation’s announcement came shortly after Sunil Gulati and Dan Flynn, two of U.S. Soccer’s top executives, met with Klinsmann at a hotel in the Los Angeles area. U.S. Soccer did not immediately name Klinsmann’s replacement, although it is expected that Bruce Arena — a Major League Soccer veteran who coached the national team from 1998 to 2006 — will take the post through the end of the current World Cup qualification cycle.

“While we remain confident that we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018, the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction,” Gulati, the U.S. Soccer president, said in a statement. He is expected to elaborate on the thinking behind Klinsmann’s dismissal during a conference call with the news media on Tuesday afternoon.

Klinsmann did not return The New York Times’ phone call seeking comment.

The coach had dined with President Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several Nobel laureates and astronauts at a gala in Berlin on Thursday.

Klinsmann returned to his home in California over the weekend and was bemused by the criticism he was receiving in the media for the USMNT’s two recent losses — a 2-1 defeat to Mexico and a 4-0 thrashing by Costa Rica — that had damaged, but not completely erased, the U.S.’s chances of qualifying for the 2018 Russia World Cup. In an interview on Sunday, Klinsmann said he remained very confident that both his team would qualify for the World Cup and that he would keep his job.

The loss to Mexico marked the Americans’ first defeat in a home World Cup qualifier in 15 years. The USMNT also gave a terrible performance at the 2015 Gold Cup, where they fell behind both Jamaica and Panama. That was the first time the U.S. dropped its first two games of the final qualifying round. He led the U.S. to the semifinals of the Copa America Centenario this summer, however.

Klinsmann took over as head coach in 2011, finally agreeing to a contract after Gulati had pursued him on and off for years. He led the USMNT to the Round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup after facing a challenging group that also included Germany, Portugal and Ghana. However, Klinsmann was criticized for stating in an article published in The New York Times Magazine that he did not believe the Americans stood any chance of winning the tournament, as well as for his decision to leave popular veteran Landon Donovan off the final squad he took to Brazil.

Klinsmann stepped down as coach of the German national team after just two years despite leading his home country to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup.

“I’m not afraid,” Klinsmann said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday night. “What you need to do is stick to the facts. Soccer is emotional, and a lot of people make conclusions without knowing anything about the inside of the team or the sport. I still believe we will get the points we need to qualify, and I am even confident we could win the group.”

He added: “The fact is, we lost two games. There is a lot of talk from people who don’t understand soccer or the team.”

These comments were perceived as arrogant and dismissive by many American soccer fans, players and coaches.

 The firing represents the first time since 1989 that U.S. Soccer has changed coaches in the middle of a World Cup qualifying cycle.

The U.S.’s next two qualifying games will be in March, against Honduras at home and Panama on the road.

SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 16: Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States gestures as he walks off the pitch after defeating Ecuador in the 2016 Quarterfinal – Copa America Centenario match at CenturyLink Field on June 16, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Barry Bonds will be fired after just one season as Miami Marlins hitting coach, according to a published report.

Report: Marlins Fire Barry Bonds After One Season As Hitting Coach

Per the Miami Herald, the Marlins also dismissed third base coach Lenny Harris and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius in addition to Bonds.

Bonds, 52, Major League Baseball’s single-season and all-time home run leader, was brought in by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria after the 2015 season — his first job since his retirement with the team — to improve an offense that ranked second-to-last in MLB in runs scored. Bonds was praised for his work with young hitters like Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna.

In 2016, that number was minimally ameliorated, as Miami ranked 27th in runs.

After Bonds’ first year, the offense also ranked fourth in the majors with a .263 batting average, 13th with a .322 on-base percentage and 27th with a .394 slugging percentage.

Although the main reason for Bonds’ firing remains unknown, there reportedly has been some tension building between him and manager Don Mattingly, as well as with star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. In August, Mattingly called out Bonds for his lack of effort.

SiriusXM’s Craig Mish discussed the rift on Twitter.

Yelich enjoyed a breakout season, recording career highs of 21 home runs and 98 RBIs.

Bonds, who was hounded during his playing career by allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs, shared coaching duties with Frank Menechino.

The Marlins (79-82, 3rd in NL East) missed a chance at the playoffs this year. Miami lost to Washington 10-7 in their final game on Sunday.

Caption:JUPITER, FL – FEBRUARY 23: New hitting coach Barry Bonds #25 of the Miami Marlins during a team workout on February 23, 2016 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Manchester United has fired manager Louis van Gaal, Old Trafford sources have informed Goal UK. The 64-year-old Dutchman led United to its first FA cup victory since 2004 on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Manager Louis Van Gaal Reportedly Fired By Manchester United

However, celebrations were rapidly overshadowed by rumors surrounding Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho’s imminent arrival.

Van Gaal served only two years as United’s manager, and was officially terminated on Monday. The team scored only 49 league goals this season. In his first season as United’s manager, van Gaal led the team to a fourth-place finish. He was originally signed on to a three-year contract, and is believed to earn around £6.4m a year.

Mourinho, 53, has been unemployed ever since being fired by Chelsea FC in December but is poised to return to Old Trafford. He won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2005, 2006 and 2015.

Man U missed out on qualification for the Champions League this year (the club exited the league at the group stage this season). The club reportedly spent approximately 250 million pounds ($362 million) on new players during Van Gaal’s reign.

Van Gaal issued the following statement regarding his firing on Monday evening:

“It has been an honor to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long-held ambition.

I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club’s history. I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career.

I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three-year plan. I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the club to move forward and achieve even greater success.

I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.

Having managed in Holland, Spain and Germany, I had always hoped for the opportunity to manage in English football and be part of English culture. Both of these experiences have lived up to expectations and been fantastic.

I thank my players and wish them well for next season. It has been a pleasure to work with them and it has been particularly rewarding to see so many young players take their chance to break into the first team and excel. I look forward to watching the continued development of these young players next season.

Thank you to the owners and board of Manchester United for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club.”

United has now failed to finish in the top three since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge, when the team won the league in 2013. Ryan Giggs was also onsite Monday morning, but he left around an hour later. The Welshman’s future is unknown with Mourinho’s appointment as manager on the horizon. Mourinho has stated that he may bring Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to United when he officialy takes charge on Tuesday after meeting with senior team officials.

The Atlanta Braves, who are on track for the worst season in the team’s 130-year history, have fired manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Braves Fire Manager Fredi Gonzalez After 9-28 Start

Gonzalez will be replaced on an interim basis by Class AAA manager Brian Snitker.

Gonzalez, 52, has managed the Braves for over five years and led them to the 2013 National League East title and a 2012 wild-card game appearance, but was ultimately incapable of doing much to rebuild a project the past two seasons as the club gears up for a move into a new, suburban stadium in 2017. The Braves are currently off to a 9-28 start and a .243 winning percentage that puts them on course for the worst season in franchise history since the 1935 Boston Braves finished 38-115 (.248).

Prior to managing the Braves, Gonzalez managed the Florida Marlins from 2007 to 2010, and was a third base coach for the Braves from 2003-2006.

His termination ends an era of great managerial instability, as Gonzalez took over in 2011 for the retired Bobby Cox, who managed the Braves from 1991 to 2010– a period during which the team reached the playoffs 15 times, won five NL pennants and took the 1995 World Series.

Snitker, 60, played four minor league seasons as a catcher and has spent 34 years with the Braves as a minor league manager and coach and as a major league bullpen coach from 1988-90. The team will begin its search for a permanent replacement as it prepares for the 2017 opening of SunTrust Park in Cobb County, Atlanta.

“I want to be part of this when we get good,” Gonzalez recently told USA TODAY Sports. “But the fans are into the winning and losing business. They want to win. What’s the old saying, ‘Don’t tell me about the pain, show me the baby?’

“Well, we can’t show you the baby right now, but we sure are feeling the pain.”

Gonzalez is the first Braves manager to get fired since Russ Nixon in 1990. Cox took over midseason and in 1991, the Braves began a run of 14 consecutive playoff showings.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 16: Manager Fredi Gonzalez #33 of the Atlanta Braves smiles during batting practice before the Braves played against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 16, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott will not be returning to the Staples Center in the fall after two terrible seasons, the team announced.

Lakers Coach Byron Scott Fired After Team’s Two Last Seasons Are Worst In Franchise History

Scott, 55, coached the Lakers for the two worst seasons in the 16-time NBA champion franchise’s history, accumulating a record of 38-126.

The departure of Scott, who still had two seasons left on his contract, came just 10 days after Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, 37, played his last game and retired after 20 seasons with the team.

The Lakers finished with the NBA’s second-worst record at 17-65 this season, losing four more games than in its previous franchise-worst season in 2014-2015.

Team general manager Mitch Kupchak stated: “We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years, but have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time.” Kupchack recently praised Scott for the way he handled Bryant’s farewell season. Bryant scored 60 points in his final game, a victory over the Utah Jazz.

Scott won three NBA titles as a shooting guard for the Lakers in the 1980s, playing alongside Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy on some of the greatest teams in NBA history.

“This is my dream job, and obviously you want the opportunity to turn it all around,” Scott said. “But I understand the business of basketball, and it’s all about wins and losses.”

The Lakers are now looking for their fifth head coach since Phil Jackson left in 2011.

Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni were also fired and Bernie Bickerstaff was also interim coach for a short spell.

The team will keep its high draft pick if it finishes in the top 3 of the NBA draft lottery next month and will also have more than $40million in salary cap room to offer free agents.

The once-glamorous franchise has been incredibly unsuccessful in attracting or keeping marquee free agents over the past four seasons, notably losing Dwight Howard to the Houston Rockets and Pau Gasol to the Chicago Bulls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4V3x_auOUU

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 13: Byron Scott of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

ESPN fired analyst and former Red Sox ace pitcher Curt Schilling, 49, on Wednesday night, just one day after he was slammed by critics for posting a meme on Facebook that supported a new North Carolina law that mandates people use public restrooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificate.

ESPN Fires Analyst Curt Schilling After Anti-LGBT Facebook Post

“ESPN is an inclusive company,” the cable network said in a statement. “Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated.”

Schilling’s post came in the form of a Facebook meme depicting a fat, ugly man wearing a blond wig, peek-a-boo T-shirt and stockings with the caption “LET HIM IN! To the restroom with your daughter or else you’re a narrow minded, judgmental, unloving racist bigot who needs to DIE!!!”

Although Schilling did not originally post the picture, he shared it and commented, “A man is a man no matter what they call themselves. I don’t care what they are, who they sleep with, men’s room was designed for the penis, women’s not so much. Now you need laws telling us differently? Pathetic.”

Fervent opponents of the North Carolina law, which include Outsports, blasted Schilling, using as a headline for their piece: “This is ESPN’s Curt Schilling’s disgusting view of transgender people.”

This is not the first time the former right-handed Red Sox ace has come under fire for his politically insensitive remarks. He previously compared Muslim extremists to Nazis and said Hillary Clinton “belongs under a jail somewhere” for using a private email server.

Both Schilling and his wife Shonda launched vehement defenses shortly after the incident and Schilling removed the post from his Facebook page, but his bosses appeared to remain unswayed.

“You frauds out there ranting and screaming about my ‘opinions’ (even if it isn’t) and comments are screaming for ‘tolerance’ and ‘acceptance’ while you refuse to do and be either,” Schilling wrote. “I do NOT care what color you are, what race, what sex, who you sleep with, what you wear. I don’t care and I never have. I have opinions, but they’re just that, opinions.”

Shonda took it a step further, lambasting the media for their coverage of the scandal.

“I am pissed,” Shonda wrote. “You have hit a very sensitive nerve with me today in the media. When you take a single private Facebook post that belonged to my husband and turn it into a sensationalized headline that is not true…

“My 16 year old son is a great advocate of all sexual orientation and the gender spectrum,” she continued. “He has been educating us way before Caitlin Jenner ever hit the newsstands. He has several friends who are trans and who have been in and out of our home and even stayed with us. We treat no one differently …”

Shonda finally added, “Curt Schilling is probably more educated and has met more trans people than most of the sports writers spreading this nonsense. If you want a real story talk to these kids about how hard it is to get family, friends and society to accept them. This house is and will always be the one place that everyone is accepted and feel loved.”

Schilling’s spokeswoman did not return a call on Wednesday night.