Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted he hadn't expected Champions League qualification as he started the season. Newcastle secured a top-four finish in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Leicester on 16 May. The club was in serious danger of relegation when Howe took up the reins in November, but a string of good results earned him this unexpected success. The club's Saudi owners have poured over £250m into the squad since buying it, gaining an early return on their investment. They reached the Carabao Cup final in February before losing to Manchester United.
Ed Sheeran gifted Middleton High School’s band class in Florida with music equipment and concert tickets as he stopped by to play some of his tracks. During his surprise appearance, Sheeran also gave away a number of guitars to students as well as to the music department. He began the visit by listening to the band’s rendition of his latest song before performing an acoustic version of his hit single “Perfect”. The surprise visit was filmed and later posted on Instagram.
Damien Hardwick announced he would be stepping down as the coach of the AFL’s Richmond Tigers after 13 years with the team. Richmond President John O’Rourke paid tribute to Hardwick in his announcement of the coach’s sudden departure praising him for being part of the “restoration of Richmond as a powerhouse club on and off the field”. Hardwick was emotional when thanking the players he had worked with, and admitted the emotional and mental toll of his role as head coach had become too much for him.
