Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that head coach Brian McClennan has stepped down from his role and assistant Brian McDermott will take over with immediate effect.
McClennan recently penned a one-year contract extension at Headingley, but he believes the time is now right for his right-hand man to be lead the club ahead of the 2011 campaign.
Leeds’ three-year domestic grip ended at the end of this season as they lost to Wigan Warriors in the play-off semi-finals and crashed to Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup showpiece final.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has again played down talk of his job being under threat, after seeing the Reds edge out Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Anfield.
Goals from Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres lifted the mood at Anfield, with the club hoping to move forward under new owners NESV.
Hodgson told reporters: “Mass media talk these days says ‘lose two games and let’s sack the coach and start all over again’.
“I divorce myself from all of that, it is not something I feel among the players or the staff.”
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Wigan Athletic have confirmed that midfielder James McCarthy is facing around ten weeks out of action due to an ankle injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
The 19-year-old had to be stretchered off after less than half an hour of the DW Stadium clash, following a challenge by Fabrice Muamba.
Initial fears were that McCarthy could be out for several months, but boss Roberto Martinez confirmed: “It is a little bit better than we thought at first, but it is obviously ligament damage in the right ankle.”
In golf, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero has rewritten the European Tour record books after becoming the youngest-ever tournament winner with a four-shot victory at the Castello Masters.
The 17-year-old showed remarkable composure to claw back the two-shot lead of England’s Gary Boyd, before charging ahead with three consecutive birdies on the back nine.
New Zealand’s Danny Lee was the previous holder of the record when he won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic aged 18.
Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter has completed the signing of Argentinian international fly-half Ignacio Mieres.
The Aviva Premiership newcomers have added the 23-year-old to their ranks ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Saracens.
With Gareth Steenson sustaining an injury in the weekend clash with London Irish at Sandy Park, Baxter believes his arrival has came at the best possible time.
