Zinedine Zidane reaches 'verbal agreement' as Man Utd manager search takes twistFrench legend Zinedine Zidane has been tipped to become the next Manchester United manager and appears to have a decision on his long-awaited return to the dugoutView 2 Images Manchester United have been linked with Zinedine Zidane (Image: Getty Images)Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become the new manager of France after the World Cup. ‌In the four-and-a-half years since, Zidane has been linked with a number of roles including at Manchester United and another of his, former clubs Juventus. ‌According to reports in Italy, Zidane has reached a verbal agreement to take control of the French national team after this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Compatriot Didier Deschamps is currently in charge albeit his contract is due to expire following the conclusion of the tournament. ‌Deschamps, 57, has been in charge of the French national team since 2012 and has led the nation to back-to-back World Cup finals, winning in 2018.

Your expert guide to navigating the Leaving Cert and choosing the right study options at university and further educationWith the mock exams now over, Leaving Certificate students across the country are taking stock of their results. One parent wrote to Brian Mooney that the exams “exposed gaps across all [their son’s] Leaving Cert subjects”. To find out how to best use that time, The Irish Times spoke to three friends who graduated from Maynooth Post Primary School last year and all achieved more than 600 points in their Leaving Cert. Marks are awarded in many cases, which are added to an applicant’s CAO points score in August, to determine offers of places. School Easter holidaysThe State Examinations Commission’s (SEC) Leaving Cert oral tests in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese take place in schools throughout the country.

Midlothian author 'proud to prove teachers wrong' as he publishes third book"I would absolutely love to show them my achievements now." (Image: Supplied)A Midlothian man who was "laughed at" and discouraged by his teachers has said he is happy to be proving them wrong as he gets set to publish his third book. Yes, I had my struggles on the social side, but I was really proud to get the degree and prove them wrong. ‌Following the publication of his first novel, A Working Class State of Mind, Colin was nominated for Scots Writer of the Year in at the Scots Language Awards. (Image: Supplied)‌He said: "I never set out to write a book, it was only ever my hobby on the side.

As the snowball rolls and expands all the way to September, it’s silly to imagine this will remain a small squabble between Ireland and Israel. Playing Israel is a specific choice. Not playing Israel is a specific choice. Former French international Patrick Vieira shows up the card for Israel during the 2026/27 Uefa Nations League phase Group B draw ceremony. If Ireland don’t play Israel, it will be because there is an overwhelming push from good people who couldn’t abide playing football against the country that the UN itself says carried out a genocide in Gaza.

Arsenal star says Gunners have quietly signed two 'incredible players'Arsenal agreed deals to sign Ecuadorian youngsters Edwin and Holger Quintero earlier this season and Piero Hincapie has already talked up their abilities ahead of them arrivingView 2 Images Arsenal announced deals for the Quintero brothers in December (Image: Getty Images)Piero Hincapie believes that Arsenal have signed two ‘incredible players’ after agreeing deals for a couple of Ecuadorian wonderkids. The Gunners confirmed deals for Edwin and Holger Quintero in December. ‌He said: “I can’t really speak about their future, but I know they’re both incredible players. I feel that many Ecuadorian players are on that pathway and long may it continue.”MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! “Of course, they’ve [Arsenal team-mates] helped me so much, going back to day one and the first training session.

Yet discount the Tailteann Cup and Meath only won four of their subsequent 19 League and Championship games under O'Rourke. For the record, Donegal have fielded 11 players in all three of their Division 1 games so far. Back in Division 2, only eight of the 26 players that Cork have fielded in their three games so far have started every game. "Cork in fairness are playing some great football," said former Cork defender Noel O'Leary. Sherlock is sitting on 0-17 so far for Cork while Mark Cronin has 1-13 amassed from three games.

Residents in Cabra turned out to protest a petrol station that's brought a judicial review against Bus Connects. There are thousands of children going to school every day.”Brian Gormley of Connecting Cabra outside the Go petrol station on Old Cabra Road in Dublin. Go is owned by Lissan Coal Company (Ireland) Ltd (LCC) and has operated on Old Cabra Road for the last five years. Eighteen-month-old Cuán with his family at the Connecting Cabra protest outside Go petrol station in Cabra, Dublin. “We cannot allow commercial profits of a petrol station to be prioritised over the safety of local residents.”The LCC Group has been contacted for comment on the concerns raised by protesters.

Major UK high street chain launches 70% closing down sale as store shutsPopular retailer Smiggle has launched a major discount sale with shoppers able to get up to 70% off certain items as one of its stores closesView 2 Images Smiggle has launched a massive closing down sale (stock) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)A well-known high street retailer is offering discounts of up to 70% as part of a closing down sale. ‌Smiggle has reduced prices at its Redditch store in Worcestershire ahead of its final day of being open on February 22 (tomorrow). Its closure marks another blow for local shoppers already grappling with empty units and shrinking choice on the high street. According to the company’s website, Smiggle now runs 94 UK stores. Smiggle stores closed or closing:

Six Nations: Wales 23 Scotland 26Scotland stayed on course for a first Triple Crown since 1990 with a pulsating 26-23 comeback Guinness Six Nations victory against winless Wales in Cardiff. Russell added three conversions as Scotland backed up their Murrayfield victory over England. Rhys Carre and Josh Adams plus seven points from the boot of Sam Costelow gave Wales a 17-5 interval lead. Costelow converted but Wales lost flanker Taine Plumtree to a shoulder injury and Scotland were soon baring their attacking teeth again. Replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans' first involvement was to extend Wales' lead with a penalty, but Scotland struck straight from the kick-off.

Zinedine Zidane is believed to be preparing for a return to the dugout after agreeing to takeover the French national team after the World Cup, according to reports. The France and Real Madrid legend has shunned replacement roles since leaving the Bernabeu in 2021 after his second stint in the dugout. Deschamps has held the role since 2012, and six years later became the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. But in January 2025, Deschamps announced that he would be stepping down after stewarding the national team in North America for the 2026 tournament. 'But one of my goals is to coach the French national team.

It's time for Declan Rice to lead Arsenal to glory. These are the stories that prove he's up to it - from his defining trait and how he leads without armband to academy stars' 'big brother' and his booming off-field brand, reveals ISAAN KHAN

Hull FC name matchday side to face Wigan Warriors with half-back call madeHull FC take on Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium. View Image Hull FC celebrate victory over Bradford. (Image: SW PIX)John Cartwright has named his Hull FC side to take on Wigan Warriors this Saturday night, with the head coach selecting Cade Cust at half-back in the absence of Jake Arthur. Arthur Romano is in the centre after playing the back row last week, with Davy Litten completing the three quarter line. ‌Up front, Liam Knight starts alongside Harvie Hill at prop, with the young front rower returning to the Brick Community Stadium to face his former club.

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick praises David Moyes and names Everton among 'toughest' away gamesThe caretaker manager believes that, even though Everton have left Goodison Park, they will present his side with a challenge on Monday nightView Image Head coach of Manchester United, Michael Carrick, speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on February 20. ‌The caretaker boss at Old Trafford recognised the experience of David Moyes and his own history of facing Everton as challenges his team must overcome if they are to leave Merseyside happy on Monday night. David’s [Moyes] teams are hard to play against, he is such a good manager and knows what it takes to have success in this league. Moyes praised Carrick’s impact at Man Utd and the job he did in his former role at Middlesbrough when the Blues boss spoke to the press at Finch Farm on Friday. All season, we’ve been trying to retain our position and in the main we’ve done so with one or two blips but obviously the three points at Old Trafford was a huge boost for us.”

Mohamed Salah told what he should do in the summer as Arne Slot plea made to Liverpool chiefsFormer Premier League star Rafael van der Vaart believes Mohamed Salah should leave Liverpool this summer, as Saudi Pro League clubs circle. View 2 Images Mohamed Salah continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool (Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))Former Premier League star Rafael van der Vaart has suggested that it would benefit everyone involved if Mohamed Salah departed Liverpool during the summer transfer window. Nevertheless, the summer transfer window could signal the end of the forward's Liverpool stint, as Saudi Pro League sides remain repeatedly linked with a move for Salah. ‌View 2 Images LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. "Arne Slot is the man that can turn things around at Liverpool, I believe this 100%.

Man Utd star Casemiro in talks to snub Cristiano Ronaldo with painful transferCasemiro has confirmed that he'll leave Manchester United at the end of this season and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have long been tipped to be his next destinationView 2 Images Casemiro is looking for his next club (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)Outgoing Manchester United star Casemiro is in talks to sign for Inter Miami on a free transfer, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's pleas for him to join Al-Nassr. Casemiro, 33, confirmed last month that he'll be leaving United upon the expiry of his contract in June. A switch to Riyadh would see him link up with former team-mate Ronaldo, who pushed for the transfer. ‌Now, The Sun report that Inter Miami, who are co-owned by United legend David Beckham, are keen on signing Casemiro. Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search‌View 2 Images Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro have been team-mates at two clubs (Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)"I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life," Casemiro said.