Jaissle Begins Newcastle Rebuild with Valencia Win, Elanga Scare Not Serious

(FILES) Matthias Jaissle gives an interview prior to  the UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg football match FC Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg in Munich on March 8, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)
(FILES) Matthias Jaissle gives an interview prior to the UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg football match FC Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg in Munich on March 8, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)
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Jaissle Begins Newcastle Rebuild with Valencia Win, Elanga Scare Not Serious

(FILES) Matthias Jaissle gives an interview prior to  the UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg football match FC Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg in Munich on March 8, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)
(FILES) Matthias Jaissle gives an interview prior to the UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg football match FC Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg in Munich on March 8, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)

Newcastle United's new coach Matthias Jaissle sees plenty of work ahead for his young team after marking his first game in charge with a 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Valencia on Saturday.

Jaissle endured an early setback when Filip Ugrinic fired Valencia ahead inside four minutes, but Newcastle fought back at the Mestalla Stadium with substitute Yoane Wissa scoring twice in the second half.

"It was a friendly today. We will not smash the locker room now and celebrate a lot," Jaissle told reporters.

"We're quite ⁠balanced. We know ⁠what it is about. Now it's pre-season, and we're still looking to work on it. It's just a journey."

The victory was overshadowed by an injury scare for summer signing Anthony Elanga, who was stretchered off after a challenge from Valencia defender Jose Gaya, ⁠who was shown a red card.

However, Jaissle said the Sweden international appeared to have escaped a serious injury.
"It seems to be not bad, so we are pleased. I hope it's true, then he can start again next week," Reuters quoted the 38-year-old as saying.

"I was in fear, definitely, but now I'm more relaxed as the medical department is showing almost green lights, and there's nothing serious."

Jaissle, appointed on Wednesday following the departure of ⁠Eddie Howe, ⁠has inherited a squad in transition following the departures of key players Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.

The German manager turned to youth, with goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, midfielder Aladji Bamba and winger Bazoumana Toure making their debuts, while 18-year-old Sean Steur impressed off the bench.

"Time is the key. They're young lads," Jaissle said. "It's never going to be easy in football, especially at the highest level, but we're here to help them."

Newcastle begin their Premier League campaign against Liverpool on August 23.



Japan Great 'King Kazu' Miura Sets Oldest Appearance Record at 59

Japan's soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, known as 'King Kazu', poses for a photograph during his first news conference after joining Fukushima United in the J-League third division in Tokyo, Japan January 9, 2026, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo
Japan's soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, known as 'King Kazu', poses for a photograph during his first news conference after joining Fukushima United in the J-League third division in Tokyo, Japan January 9, 2026, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo
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Japan Great 'King Kazu' Miura Sets Oldest Appearance Record at 59

Japan's soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, known as 'King Kazu', poses for a photograph during his first news conference after joining Fukushima United in the J-League third division in Tokyo, Japan January 9, 2026, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo
Japan's soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, known as 'King Kazu', poses for a photograph during his first news conference after joining Fukushima United in the J-League third division in Tokyo, Japan January 9, 2026, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo

Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura became the oldest player to appear in Japan's third-tier league on Saturday when the 59-year-old came off the bench in Fukushima United's 4-1 home win over FC Ryukyu.

Miura, affectionately known as "King Kazu", was introduced in second-half stoppage time at ⁠the age of ⁠59 years, 8 months and 12 days, increasing his own J.League record in a career that has entered its 42nd season, Reuters reported.

The striker's ⁠appearance was his first in a league match since 2021, when he played once in Japan's top flight for parent club Yokohama FC.

Miura also made six appearances in a shortened special tournament held under the split-season format last season, ⁠although ⁠those matches were not classified as official league games.

The former Japan forward, who has continued playing professionally across five decades, also ended a near four-year wait for a competitive goal when he scored in the Emperor's Cup in July.


Formula One Extends Sao Paulo Contract to 2035

British Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari takes part in free practice for the 2026 Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 07 November 2026.  EPA/ANDRE COELHO
British Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari takes part in free practice for the 2026 Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 07 November 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO
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Formula One Extends Sao Paulo Contract to 2035

British Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari takes part in free practice for the 2026 Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 07 November 2026.  EPA/ANDRE COELHO
British Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari takes part in free practice for the 2026 Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 07 November 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO

Formula One will continue to race at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit until 2035 after announcing a five-year contract extension on Saturday.

The existing contract, under an extension agreed in 2023, had beendue to run until 2030.

Interlagos, officially named the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace after Brazil's 1975 race winner, first hosted a world championship grand prix in 1973. It is currently the only South American round of the championship.

The atmospheric circuit has witnessed some major milestones in the sport's history, including the late triple champion Ayrton Senna’s emotional home win in 1991, Kimi Raikkonen winning the 2007 title for Ferrari ⁠and Lewis Hamilton's ⁠first with McLaren in 2008.

"Brazil is an important part of Formula One’s history and our future, and I am delighted that this five-year extension will see us continue racing in Sao Paulo until 2035," Reuters quoted Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali as saying.

"The passion of our Brazilian fans is extraordinary and every time we return to Interlagos we feel their energy in the grandstands and in the city of Sao Paulo."

The announcement came as ⁠neighboring Argentina pushes for a return to the calendar, with Buenos Aires' Oscar y Juan Galvez Autodrome undergoing renovations aimed at achieving FIA Grade One status.

Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri, who was at Interlagos this weekend, said on social media that he had met Domenicali and presented a proposal for the sport's return to the Argentine capital, which last hosted a race in 1998.

"We have mayors from other cities around the world visiting the circuit here but they will not leave with a contract for their cities," Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes told reporters.

"What they will take home is very nice memories of a great spectacle that we will hold here this ⁠week in Sao ⁠Paulo."

Formula One said the new contract involved "significant investments" by the city to improve the fan experience.

Nunes said the race generated a "major economic and financial gain" for Sao Paulo, estimating that this week's event would move around 2.3 billion reais ($417.78 million) through the local economy.

He said hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers and ride-hailing services were benefiting from the influx of visitors. The mayor added that tickets had sold out quickly despite organizers increasing capacity by 7,000 seats compared with last year.

Brazilian fans have extra reason to celebrate this weekend, with the country having two Formula One drivers on the grid for the first time in a decade.

Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto has been joined by Haas rookie Rafael Camara, who replaced Esteban Ocon, while Argentina is represented by Alpine's Franco Colapinto.


Neymar's Father Appointed Santos FC CEO

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017   Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands   REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017 Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
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Neymar's Father Appointed Santos FC CEO

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017   Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands   REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017 Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo

Brazilian club Santos FC said on Friday it had appointed Neymar's father and agent, Neymar Sr., as its CEO.

Neymar's father has played a key role in his son's career and founded the agency NR Sports, which holds the rights to the Santos player's name and image.

According to reports in Brazilian media, Neymar Sr.'s contract runs until December and he will stay on in the ⁠role if Santos ⁠president Marcelo Teixeira is re-elected next month.

Santos are ninth in the Brazilian Serie A standings with 47 points from 34 matches.

"We have been working daily to find solutions and alternatives to improve ⁠Santos's situation and strengthen our management," Reuters quoted Teixeira as saying in a statement.

"The arrival of Neymar Sr. as the new CEO represents one more step in this process. I am confident that, with his experience and knowledge, we will be able to move forward even further and, together, build an ever-stronger club."

Former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player ⁠Neymar, ⁠Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances, returned to his childhood club Santos in 2025.

He was part of the Brazil squad at this year's World Cup in North America, but in late July said he no longer wanted to play for the national team, weeks after suggesting his international career had ended following their last-16 defeat by Norway.