Bayern Munich parted company with Julian Naggelsmann, their manager, with immediate effect on Friday.

Nagelsmann’s shocking dismissal was announced by the club via its website.

The German club also announced the immediate appointment of Thomas Tuchel as Naggelsmann’s replacement.

Tuchel, the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach, signed a two-and-half years contract that will run until June 2025.

“FC Bayern München has released head coach Julian Nagelsmann. This decision was taken by CEO Oliver Kahn and board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić in consultation with club president Herbert Hainer,” the statement reads.

“Nagelsmann will be succeeded by Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel will receive a contract until 30 June 2025 and will supervise squad training for the first time on Monday.”

Speaking about the shocking development, Kahn said the quality in the squad is not being harnessed effectively as the club would have liked, hence the termination of the young coach’s contract.

The Bayern CEO also said, “after the World Cup, we have played less successfully and less attractively”.

“When we signed Julian Nagelsmann for FC Bayern in the summer of 2021, we were convinced we would work with him on a long-term basis – and that was the goal of all of us right up to the end,” he said.

“Julian shares our aspiration to play successful and attractive football. But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad – despite the Bundesliga title last year – has come to the fore less and less often.

“After the World Cup, we have played less successfully and less attractively. The big fluctuations in performance have cast doubt on our goals for this season, but also our goals for the future.

“That is why we have acted now. Personally and on behalf of FC Bayern, I would like to thank Julian and his coaching team, and wish everyone the best of luck for the future.”

Sunday Dare, minister of sports and youth development, has bagged a special recognition award in Maldives for his “impact on sports” in Nigeria since he assumed office in 2019.

The minister was honoured by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Maldives president, at the 2023 edition of the country’s sports awards.

Solih said his team has been monitoring Dare’s “progress” while commending him for revamping sports in Nigeria.

“I want people to know that we followed the progress of Hon. Sunday Dare over a period of time before deciding to honour him with this award and we believe his positive steps will continue to boost sports in Nigeria in the years to come,” he said.

Also speaking, Ahmed Mahloof, Maldives sports minister, described the award given to Dare as a “reward for hard work within a short time in office.”

Nwankwo Kanu, the former Nigerian international; Fabio Cannavaro, ex-Italy player; and David James, former England international, were also conferred with ‘Sports Icons Awards’ at the event.

In his remark, Dare thanked organisers of the event for the award.

“This is a challenge for me to do more in any capacity I find himself. It is also important to state that Nigerian youths should always put in efforts to make an impact in every area they find themselves because you don’t know who is watching,” he said.

A total of 108 people, including national athletes of Maldives, received awards in 18 categories.

Leon Edwards has beaten Kamaru Usman to defend his welterweight title in a rematch of their thrilling clash at UFC 278.

The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, who was incredibly motivated to take back the belt from his rival on Sunday morning, failed to savage his quest with a majority decision in favour of Edwards at the O2 Arena in London.

‘Rocky’, as Edwards is popularly called, got his game-plan to perfection and even survived a point deduction to claim his victory with a 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 on the judges score cards.

This would be the first time since 2016 that a British UFC champion will be defending a world title on home soil.

While it wasn’t the outcome he wanted, Usman accepted the defeat and promised to comeback in the future to challenge for the title again.

“I think I did enough to win the fight but I knew it was a close fight,” Usman said.

“Great game plan. I’ve always said it from the start, I knew I would see Leon again. I’m not done. I’ll see him again. I’ve always gave him props for everything he’s been able to accomplish. Much respect.

“I’m going to get back with my coaches. I can’t sit for too long. Much respect to the fighters, we put it on the line for you guys each and every time.”