Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
Every Friday, we bring you the latest executive appointments, strategic hires, boardroom shifts, and behind-the-scenes deals from across the global sports industry – all in one place.
Luke Littler signs record Target Darts extension
Luke Littler has agreed a new sponsorship extension with Target Darts in what is understood to be the largest player-brand deal in darts history.
The agreement, described as a multi-million-pound deal, is the largest ever signed between a darts player and a brand. It follows rapid commercial and competitive growth for Littler, who is now world number one and a double PDC World Champion after recently defending his title.
The deal is understood to be worth £20m. Insider Sport has inquired about details of the deal, though Target declined to disclose financial terms, stating: “Target will not be sharing any financial details about the agreement, but we understand that some figures have been widely reported by credible media titles.”
Littler has been backed by Target since the age of 12, when he first signed with the manufacturer as a youth player. He has since become the sport’s most commercially valuable figure, helping push broadcast interest, merchandise sales and mainstream attention around professional darts.
His success, and status as the youngest-ever PDC World Champion, has had a noticeable impact on younger fans following the sport.
Littler and Target Darts have worked closely to develop a product range aimed at these audiences, including replica darts, branded dartboards and entry level sets for children. The range has grown significantly and is now stocked by major UK retailers such as Smyths Toys and Argos, alongside a network of international partners.
“Target has believed in me from day one and I’m delighted that there are many more years to come,” said Littler. “From my playing career to my product range, we’ve built everything together and I’m really excited to commit to our partnership long-term and see where we can take this next.”
Darren Fletcher steps in after Manchester United sack Amorim
Ruben Amorim has been removed from his role of head coach at Manchester United, with former midfielder Darren Fletcher taking charge on an interim basis.
Appointed in November 2024, Amorim guided United to the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao in May 2025. His departure was confirmed on January 5 2026 after a run of inconsistent league results left the team in sixth place in the Premier League.
In an official statement, the club said the decision was necessary to give Manchester United the best chance of achieving a strong league finish, though said it was “reluctantly” made.
Fletcher, who was previously in charge of the club’s Under-18s, began his interim spell with a 2-2 draw against 19th-placed Burnley on January 7 2026. Academy coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright assisted in the dugout, alongside former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
On January 7 2026, the club confirmed Fletcher will lead the side in the upcoming FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Since Amorim’s departure, United have slipped to seventh in league, with upcoming matches against Manchester City and Arsenal adding to the pressure of the board to get its next move right. The club is expected to announce an interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign imminently.
Liam Rosenior appointed Chelsea head coach
Liam Rosenior has been named head coach of Chelsea FC, signing a contract running through 2032.
Rosenior, 41, arrives at Stamford Bridge after a season with RC Strasbourg, where he led the club to European qualification for the first time in 19 years. He previously held coaching roles in England with Hull City and Derby County.
The new manager takes over following the departure of Enzo Maresca, who left after an 18-month spell which included UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup wins but came to an end due to tensions with the board.
Rosenior recently announced he will be supported by a backroom team, naming Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker as first-team coaches, while Ben Warner steps in as analyst, all arriving from Strasbourg.
Additionally, Calum McFarlane has been promoted from the Under-21s to the first team, Harry Hudson takes charge of the U21s and Chelsea’s set-piece and goalkeeping departments are led by Bernardo Cueva and Ben Roberts, respectively.
Will Courtenay begins new role at McLaren
Will Courtenay has started work as sporting director at McLaren following an early release from Red Bull last year.
The appointment was first announced in September 2024, with Red Bull initially expecting Courtenay to remain in post until mid-2026. However, the arrangement has now been revised, allowing him to take up the role at the start of this year.
Courtenay joined Red Bull in 2005 as the team transitioned from Jaguar Racing and went on to play a key role in its competitive rise. He spent the past 15 years as head of race strategy, contributing to multiple championship-winning seasons from the pit wall.
As part of his new position, the F1 veteran will lead McLaren’s sporting division during a critical period as Formula 1 prepares for technical and regulatory changes in 2026. He joins a senior leadership group overseen by Team Principal Andrea Stella and will reunite with former Red Bull colleague Rob Marshall, who joined McLaren as design chief in early 2024.
Courtenay confirmed his arrival in a LinkedIn post, describing the role as a “new challenge” and thanking Red Bull colleagues after more than two decades with the team.
His exit follows a number of senior leadership departures at Red Bull, including long-time team principal Christian Horner who left in September 2025.
Four NFL head coaches shown the door after challenging seasons
Pete Carroll, Kevin Stefanski, Jonathan Gannon and Raheem Morris have all left their teams following disappointing 2025 campaigns.
Carroll has parted ways with the Las Vegas Raiders after just one season, originally joining the team after a 14-year tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won a Super Bowl. His Raiders side finished 3-14, and owner Mark Davis will now begin the search for a new head coach, with part-owner Tom Brady expected to have some influence on recruitment.
Stefanski has exited the Cleveland Browns following a 5-12 season. Since joining in 2020, Stefanski led the Browns to two playoff appearances, including the franchise’s first post-season victory in 26 years during his debut campaign. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam described him as “a good football coach and an even better person” but said a leadership change was required.
Gannon was relieved of his duties with the Arizona Cardinals after the team lost its final nine games, finishing 3-14. Appointed in 2023 following a stint as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Gannon leaves with a 15-36 record over three seasons.
The Atlanta Falcons were the first team to make a move this year, dismissing Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot. Morris’s two seasons in charge ended with consecutive 8-9 records, while Fontenot failed to guide the team to the playoffs during the five years he spent at the franchise.
Derek Sprague to leave PGA of America
Derek Sprague has resigned as chief executive of the PGA of America due to family commitments.
Sprague, who became the association’s CEO in December 2024, informed the board that he needed to return home to support the care of his mother and mother-in-law. He will remain in an advisory capacity to assist with the transition to his successor, expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
He joined in 1993 and previously served as the association’s president from 2014 to 2016. Sprague was the first former president to be appointed CEO and the first club professional to lead the PGA in nearly two decades.
During his brief time in the position, Sprague oversaw the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. While many organisational decisions for the event, including captaincy and ticket pricing, pre-dated his appointment, the competition was regarded a success because of the media attention it received.
Sprague follows Seth Waugh, who led the PGA from 2018 to 2024, and Kerry Haigh, who served as interim CEO between Waugh’s retirement and Sprague’s appointment.
It is proving to be a big year for leadership change in professional golf, with this announcement following the news PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will also be vacating his role.
Josh Glessing named Milwaukee Bucks president
Josh Glessing will take over as president of the Milwaukee Bucks, succeeding Peter Feigin, who is stepping away after 12 years of leading the organisation.
Announced on January 5, Glessing will oversee the Bucks’ business operations and work alongside Feigin over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
Feigin joined the team in 2014 and is credited with driving the franchise’s on-and off-court growth, including the 2021 NBA Championship, the rebrand of the team and the development of Fiserv Forum and Deer District.
Glessing has close connections to the Bucks, having advised on Haslam Sports Group’s investment in the team in 2023. He also spent two seasons as interim president of business for MLS side Columbus Crew, leading strategy, partnerships and venue operations and previously worked in Goldman Sachs’ global sports and entertainment investment banking practice.
“I was born a Bucks fan and I don’t need to learn what this team means to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. I have known it my entire life,” said Glessing.
“The Bucks have an exceptional foundation, and I look forward to continuing to build on our success while staying true to our commitment to winning, providing best-in-class experiences for our fans, and delivering meaningful impact for the community.”
- Martin O’Neill has returned to Celtic as manager until the end of the season, supported by Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.
- Greg Beadles has been promoted to President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, succeeding Rich McKay after more than a decade in the role.
- Scott Gutterman joins Next League as chief digital officer, leaving a 20-year tenure at the PGA Tour to lead digital strategy across the company’s sports and technology portfolio.
- Mark Silverman steps down as FOX Sports President and COO, moving into a consulting role after leading the network since 2018.
- Tom Denby has been appointed Chief Financial Officer at Atlanta United FC, joining from Norwich City FC.
- Shane Lowry will serve as an ambassador for Consello, with the Major champion representing the firm on his apparel and at appearances throughout the PGA and DP World Tours.
- Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone has been named official ambassador for Soft2Bet’s Betinia and CampoBet brands.
- Steve Rossi has been appointed SVP of Brand Partnerships at BLAST, bringing experience from Activision Blizzard, the NFL and Univision.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Business Journalist, Kieran O’Connor, at [email protected] to be featured in Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to find out about tennis star Naomi Osaka leaving the sports agency she co-founded.
