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England will look into rumor reports of players drinking excessively while taking a break from the Ashes series on the beach in Noosa.

Between the second and third Tests, the England squad spent four nights on the coast of Queensland.

Some players were drinking a significant amount of their time in Noosa, as well as two days prior to the second Test in Brisbane, according to reports from a number of outlets, including the BBC.

England were defeated to prevent Australia from capturing the Ashes, despite their better performance in the third Test in Adelaide.

In just 11 days of cricket, the home team have a 3-0 lead over them.

England’s cricket director, Rob Key, said to BBC Sport, “Headlines can sometimes be misleading when it claims it’s a stag do and stuff like that.

Despite England falling 2-0 behind after two Tests, the Noosa break was planned ahead of the Ashes tour.

Key, a former England and Kent batter, was in another region of Queensland while the entire squad was present in Noosa.

Players were instructed to expect photos and videos of the media, and they were.

That included shots of some squad members drinking at a bar on the town’s main high street outside.

You need to know what’s happening when you see a picture of five or six men having lunch with a few of them, Key said.

Key added that he had previously investigated rumours that white-ball players Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell had been having sex the night before a limited-overs tour of New Zealand that brought the Ashes to a close.

A video of Brook and Bethell, which was reported to have occurred in Wellington the night before the third one-day international on November 1, was shared on social media.

That was probably deserving of informal warnings, Key said, but I didn’t think that was appropriate.

There was no formal action, they claimed. There is a process we put in place for things like that for what you do if they are out of line, even though we have had none of these issues with any of the players for four years.

“That served as a little wake-up call for what they’re going through.” I prefer that players have dinner with wine. I find nothing if it’s more than that.

Key defended some players’ right to take a break from the Ashes despite questions about their behavior in Noosa.

Following the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in the new year, Brook, Bethell, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, and others, could spend almost six months away from home.

This winter, Key predicted that Harrison Brook would only be at home for six days.

Because they won’t play cricket at home, we must set aside a time for these players to relax.

We also live in a time when playing cricket is impossible to ignore. Every Instagram feature pops up as I type on my phone. Although some players claim they shouldn’t look at it, I’m sure they do.

Even though Europe’s golfers were already guaranteed victory at Bethpage, Bob MacIntyre was told that his Ryder Cup singles match could not be won.

Luke Donald’s team were desperate to triumph by more than a single point in last September’s match to prevent the United States citing the injury withdrawal of Viktor Hovland as a potentially decisive factor.

Harris English was substituted for the home side after declaring he could not play because of a neck complaint.

Europe won their first game in the US by 15 points to 13 in what was one of the year’s biggest sports stories.

But had MacIntyre lost to Sam Burns, with the American one up with one to play in the last match out on the course, then Europe would only have squeezed home by the narrowest margin.

Due to Hovland’s injury, English was unable to turn in a full-point performance for the home team that day.

The home player was one up when the visiting celebrations started. MacIntyre and Burns then left the 17th green. Although the match was now academic, two nearby European vice-captains did not agree with the outcome.

“Thomas]Bjorn] and one of the Molinari brothers came up to me and said we need your half point”, MacIntyre told BBC Sport. We really require your half-point, he said.

And I didn’t really understand when we were playing 18. I wanted to give Sam the putt,]because] it’s over. However, I believe the entire team didn’t want to be bothered by the Hovland incident and that half-point removed that.

On the final green, Burns three-putted from a distance of three feet, holding his Scottish opponent’s nerve for a par-hole-winning par. It yielded the half point that created a margin that meant the victory could not be questioned.

When the US won five and a half points from the first seven singles, MacIntyre admitted earlier in the round that he “thought the world was ending.” The most powerful Ryder Cup comeback was on hold at the time.

After the first two days, Europe gained seven points. Even with Ludvig Aberg defeating Patrick Cantlay, it still required Europe to win the eighth singles competition in order to remain victorious.

Shane Lowry famously holed a birdie putt to snatch a half against Russell Henley. Prior to this, the Irishman had warned against complacency.

No matter what the outcome of a Ryder Cup is, he told BBC Sport, “I said it to the boys on Saturday night, there’s always an hour where things can dramatically change.”

” From the outside looking in or if you’re sitting at home on your couch watching it, it doesn’t look like that, but it certainly feels like that when you’re out on the course. I was already aware that Americans would start firing.

Rory McIlroy and Lowry had collaborated on the previous two afternoons, preventing the Masters champion from receiving hateful treatment from some American fans. I felt like no matter what happened, he could lean on me, “Lowry said.

“I believe it was Harry Diamond’s caddie, me, him, Darren [Lowry’s caddie], and me, him, you know, me, him, you know,” he said. Harry and Darren are very close. We’re all very close and I think that’s what you needed in an environment like that. “

Donald, who created virtual reality headsets to aid in his players’ preparation, had anticipated such hostility. Nothing was left to chance.

While the Irish pair withstood the worst of the crowd excesses, other Europeans revelled in the New York atmosphere”. You’re being yelled at from all directions, Matthew Fitzpatrick told me.

How you’re going to play this hole poorly, you’re a loser, and all of these crazy things, and you’ll just have to laugh right away.

Sheffield’s Fitzpatrick was taunted for his brand of footwear and for wearing braces in his teeth until relatively recently”. I really enjoyed it, and I think it’s hilarious, “he said.

They definitely crossed the line with Rory and Shane and some of the other boys, according to what I’ve heard. So I think that’s obviously the disappointing aspect of it.

“And, like we say, we were aware of what was about to happen, and I believe that’s one of the reasons our team did so well,” the boys said.

On Saturday’s final hole of a fourball session against Hatton, who had been a late call up for the injured Hovland, Fitzpatrick scored a crucial point. They beat Burns and Cantlay on the final green.

This resulted in unprecedented advantage for Europe going into the closing session. On that green, I interviewed both Europeans, and it was obvious Fitzpatrick was desperate to celebrate with exuberant fans.

“You’re walking up 18 and you see everyone leaving”, he recalled more than two months later. “Is there a fire drill? ” are the chants coming. And you’re like, “Hold on a minute,” you say. There are no Americans in that stand.

And you come in at 18 and everyone is green, I mean, it’s making me shiver now that everyone in that position is European.

Fitzpatrick, who had a poor Ryder Cup record before Bethpage, was chosen as the captain’s pick and scored two and a half goals in four games. Only McIlroy and Hatton, who are four and a half, contributed more.

Fleetwood revelled in partnering the Masters champion in the morning alternate shot foursomes and after lunch with Justin Rose, the man McIlroy beat in April’s Augusta play-off.

Rose claimed that “it was in our heads.” People have been complaining about how difficult it will be for ten years.

” And to go there as a team and to be so perfect, almost, for the first two days. Really, we didn’t even permit them to enter.

“What transpired on Sunday demonstrates how excellent our Friday and Saturday performances were.”

Rose and McIlroy were two of only 37 Europeans to have previously tasted an away victory. The remaining ten team members had to work together to make number 37 turn into number 47.

They received the message that Bethpage would take their place and time last September, but it was repeatedly ignored. “We’re made so aware of what we’re doing and what we’re playing for and how special that is”, Fleetwood said.

“And that’s why we’re so proud of it. I believe that being on that team makes you the most authentic.

This year’s FedEx Cup champion added: “One Ryder Cup point just seems like it means so much and is so exhausting to finish”.

Lowry struggled with his voice the morning after the game ended. Because he was aware of how his rasping vocal chords might be interpreted, he cheerfully declined to participate in broadcast interviews.

And, yes, he had celebrated the night before. He felt that his moment of ensuring that Europe could not be overtaken was greater than the one he had when he won the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush.

It was well worth the raucous singalong on the team bus because Hatton and MacIntyre’s subsequent efforts made sure this was a win without caveat.

Champagne was more sprayed than drunk, though there were celebratory libations later at the team hotel. Lowry, however, maintained his innocence. He preferred to enjoy one of the best weeks of golf in Europe.

“At one stage during the night, I just took myself off to the corner of the room and just sat there watching people celebrating for a half an hour, 40 minutes”, Lowry said.

“And attempting to absorb everything.” Because I believe that I must do a lot to top that particular evening or week.

” You know, Ryder Cups are the best weeks ever, but that week in general, I think would be tough to beat. “

The 54-year-old has redefined English football with six titles and six Champions League victories in his nine years in the Premier League.

However, the Spaniard will eventually decide to leave City, leaving players, staff, and supporters without the services of a man who will be remembered as one of the greatest managers in history.

Guardiola’s resignation date and whether he will stay in his current 18 months on his contract are unknown, but it is believed that City have begun looking for replacement replacements.

As of right now, at least two candidates have been chosen, but none have received confirmation of any names.

Hugo Viana, the city’s sporting director, is likely to be in charge of the search for the next man who will follow Guardiola’s lead, who will have the most difficult of tasks.

Premier League searchers can find top candidates who can fill one of the biggest positions in international football, as club chiefs can do first.

Let’s start with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who claimed a report last week that linked him to City was “100% speculation.”

The Italian won the Club World Cup at Stamford Bridge, but he has spoken out in recent weeks about the need to bring in more experience in the playing staff. He has been outspoken about this.

Maresca, who served as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 campaign, is well-versed in decision-making at Etihad Stadium.

City may also consider other locations.

Aston Villa is currently three points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, three points clear of the relegation spots and in title contention this season.

After leading unfancied Bournemouth to a ninth-place finish last season, Andoni Iraola will have fans as well.

City could target a lot of big names in Europe, and more Spaniards might show up.

Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona teammate of Guardiola’s, led Paris St-Germain to Champions League glory last year, bringing the club to a trio of trophies.

However, Enrique’s appointment would entail a awkward reunion with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was later sold to City for surplus to requirements.

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso fought to take the title of Bundesliga champion away from staunch opponents Bayern Munich, but he now appears to be holding onto his job at Real Madrid, which could have an impact on his stock.

The City manager recently spoke about how much he “loves” Alonso and the time they spent together and how Guardiola played there under his belt.

With his 11 years in charge of Bayern and four Premier League titles, current Bayern boss Vincent Kompany would make a popular choice among the public.

After being subjected to relegation with Burnley, the ex-City defender won the German title last season and reclaimed it this year with a nine-point lead at the top.

Is Zinedine Zidane still unemployed four years after leaving Real, but is he still holding out for a job in France?

Italian Roberto de Zerbi is a skilled performer at Marseille, but would he be too volatile for City managers? After his time at Brighton, he is considering moving to England.

Would the city appear externally?

Pep Lijnders, a former Liverpool assistant, has had two unsuccessful seasons working alone at Red Bull Salzburg and NEC in 2018.

At those two clubs, the Dutchman won 47% of his games while playing only 51 games overall. For those upstairs, the risk of moving up to City’s main job may be too great.

Anyone who can observe these happenings?

After leaving as Guardiola’s assistant, Mikel Arteta assumed charge of Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup.

Arteta, a second-place Spaniard who City bosses will be familiar with, has transformed the Gunners into title contenders by finishing second each of their previous three seasons.

Can City finally get Arsenal over the line to win the top flight title this season, or will Guardiola and City continue to rule?

What about a Jurgen Klopp call?

Guardiola and the former Liverpool boss had a number of memorable encounters, and the City boss claimed Guardiola has pushed him the most in this position.

The Ashes series will start with Australia’s Boxing Day Test against England in Melbourne and will feature skipper Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon.

After rushing his return from a back injury to play in Adelaide’s crucial third Test, Cummins is being rested for the fourth and fifth Tests.

No date has been set for Spinner Lyon’s recovery after undergoing surgery on his hamstring injury on Tuesday in Adelaide.

In Cummins’ absence, Batter Steve Smith, who missed the third Test with illness, will once more lead, while Todd Murphy takes Lyon’s place.

Jhye Richardson, a fast bowler, joins Cummins’ squad.

Following his West Indies tour in July, Cummins developed a back issue. He explained how, in order to participate in the Ashes, he had reduced a recovery period that should have taken three or four months to six or seven weeks.

The 32-year-old won’t be risked because he will be able to wait to see if he will be fit for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which will start in February, because the urn has been retained inside three Tests.

Head coach Andrew McDonald remarked, “We were taking on some risk.” The series has now been won, according to the team.