Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been directly linked to the Barcagate scandal after police uncovered WhatsApp messages showing he monitored a paid social media campaign designed to attack rivals and even Pep Guardiola. Investigators allege Bartomeu concealed contracts, manipulated polls, and used fake accounts to boost his image before the 2021 elections.
Bayern Munich are reportedly hoping to exploit a transfer precedent set by Chelsea with loanee Nicolas Jackson. The striker secured a deadline day season-long loan move to the German giants with a conditional obligation to buy for £54 million. But it seems the Bundesliga champions are exploring ways to snap up the Senegal international for a smaller fee.
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones was honoured at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium after he completed his sport directorship degree in a bid to start a new career. Jones only retired last year after so much time spent battling injury setbacks, walking away from playing with just five senior appearances in his final four seasons. Now, instead of marshalling defences, he's plotting moves from the boardroom.
Jose Mourinho has been told to "accept" that "his career is over" as the former Chelsea & Manchester United boss nears a surprise return to Benfica. The 62-year-old tactician, coming off an ill-fated stint at Fenerbahce, is reportedly in advanced talks to take charge at the Portuguese giants once again. However, some fans aren't buying the comeback story.
Liverpool have ended a 417-match unbroken run of naming a homegrown player in their starting XI for a European fixture. The Reds face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Arne Slot has not named a single English player in his team. There are four homegrown players on the bench, however.
Benfica announced their decision to part ways with Bruno Lage with immediate effect after their shock defeat to Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League opener on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, Lage, while speaking to reporters, wished Jose Mourinho "best of luck". Mourinho has been linked with the Benfica role and it is understood that he is keen on taking over at the Estadio da Luz.
Pep Guardiola has crushed talk that Abdukodir Khusanov could be Manchester City’s permanent right-back solution, despite the youngster’s heroic display in Sunday’s derby demolition of Manchester United. The Catalan manager admitted the Uzbekistan international has the tools to cover the role, but warned the brutal intensity of City’s fixture calendar makes it impossible for the 21-year-old to handle the job on a full-time basis.
Russell Martin has been warned that there is an "obvious" replacement for him at Rangers: Sean Dyche. The SPFL giants have yet to win this season, recording four draws and one defeat from five games, and speculation continues to rage about a potential change in the Ibrox dugout. Kris Boyd believes Dyche is the ideal candidate.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has delivered a fiery warning to Barcelona ahead of their Champions League opener, insisting the Spanish heavyweights won’t find life easy at St James’ Park. The Magpies icon, speaking ahead of Thursday night’s clash, believes his old club are more than capable of denting Barca’s campaign and snatching vital points on home soil.
Marc Skinner insists Manchester United have the "boots they need" for their Champions League qualifying second leg clash with Brann. The Red Devils lost 1-0 in Norway, having mislaid the players' footwear. Staff were dispatched to a local sports shop to buy boots and shinpads ahead of the fixture but Skinner insists that his side are "ready" for the return leg.
Bruno Guimaraes has called for Newcastle to avoid the heartbreak of losing key players like Alexander Isak in the future, following the £125 million sale of the Swedish striker to Liverpool this summer. Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, the Brazilian star and Magpies captain made it clear that the dressing room does not want to see any more prized assets depart St James' Park.
Gianluigi Donnarumma joked about not taking his mother to the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League opener against Napoli on Thursday. The Manchester City goalkeeper, who arrived at the end of the summer transfer window, revealed that his family members are big supporters of the current Serie A champions. However, he remains determined on helping his new team kick-off their continental campaign with a win.
Cristiano Ronaldo may have sat this one out, but Al-Nassr showed they are far more than just a one-man show. On opening night of the AFC Champions League, the Saudi powerhouse dismantled Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol with a ruthless 5-0 win at Al Awwal Park. The absence of their talismanic forward barely registered, as Jorge Jesus’ side showcased their attacking firepower with five different players getting on the scoresheet.
Fans have brutally mocked Ange Postecoglou after his Nottingham Forest side threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Championship outfit Swansea City. The Welsh side fought back to qualify for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with two goals in injury time condemning the Australian to his second successive defeat in the club's dugout.
Mohamed Salah created history as Liverpool's Egyptian King broke a unique record during the Reds' dramatic Champions League win against Atletico Madrid. Liverpool, who have yet to click with a number of new signings in the squad, earned another late victory on a pulsating night at Anfield. Against Atletico, the Reds ripped into gear from the first whistle, silencing doubters with a blistering two-goal blitz inside the opening six minutes.
Pumas emerged victorious in an international legal battle, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) sided with the Mexican club in its dispute with Dani Alves. The decision overturns a previous FIFA ruling and confirms that the team acted within its rights when it terminated the player’s contract in 2023, after he was arrested in Spain.
Jamie Vardy is embracing a new challenge in Serie A, with it revealed that the ex-England international is living in a £2 million villa on Lake Garda while Italian lessons are teaching him “colourful swear words”. The veteran frontman has stepped out of his comfort zone after reaching the end of his contract at Leicester City and becoming a free agent.
Marcus Rashford has wasted no time settling into life at Barcelona, with the Manchester United loanee choosing a rap anthem for his traditional initiation song in front of new team-mates. The forward, who became the first Englishman to represent Barca since Gary Lineker, took centre stage by performing Dave and Central Cee’s hit ‘Sprinter’ upon arrival in Catalonia.
Harry Kane was left delighted with Bayern Munich's impressive 3-1 win against Chelsea in the opening fixture of the Champions League. The reigning Bundesliga champions opened their campaign by convincingly defeating the Club World Cup winners at Allianz Arena, with the England international scoring two goals.
Phil Parkinson has been told when he could “lose his job” at Wrexham, with there already talk of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney preparing to wield the axe. Speculation regarding a change in the dugout at SToK Racecourse has surfaced following a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign that sees the Red Dragons perched just outside the Championship relegation zone.
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was pleased with his side's clinical performance in the win over Chelsea in the Champions League opener on Wednesday. The Bavarian giants ran out 3-1 winners, thanks to Harry Kane's heroics. The victory also brought up a significant landmark for the evergreen Manuel Neuer in Europe's most prestigious competition.
Manuel Neuer claims Bayern Munich's 3-1 win against Chelsea in the Champions League opener was more than just a win, but rather a "crowning achievement" for the team. The Bayern goalkeeper believes they have improved as a squad and the result is a testament to it. The 39-year-old also completed his 100th Champions League victory with a win over the Premier League side.
Hansi Flick admits he is aware of the physical size and strength of Newcastle United ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League opener at St James’ Park on Thursday night. The German coach praised Eddie Howe’s work in transforming the Magpies into a dynamic and physical side, while stressing the need for his own players to adapt quickly in what he expects will be one of the toughest atmospheres in Europe.
Jose Mourinho has provided his response to sacked Benfica ex-head coach Bruno Lage, after he wished the 'Special One' "best of luck" following his dismissal. Mourinho has been linked with the Benfica role after he was relieved of his duties at Super Lig side Fenerbahce, with the former Man Utd and Real Madrid boss eyeing an immediate return to the dugout.
Manchester United's downfall under Ruben Amorim looks no closer to halting with the Red Devils enduring their worst start in 33 years. Fans of the 20-time Premier League champions are urging the club to re-sign former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after showing proof that the Norwegian manager was sacked prematurely in 2021.
Scottish side Rangers have earmarked Davide Ancelotti as a potential replacement if current manager Russell Martin is dismissed. Ancelotti, however, is also under pressure at his current club Botafogo after failing to protect a three-goal lead in his side's latest slip up in the Brazilian top-flight.
Jose Mourinho is heading home, with the Portuguese tactician returning to his roots at Benfica on a two-year contract. The self-anointed ‘Special One’ has been out of work since seeing his spell at Turkish giants Fenerbahce brought to an abrupt halt. It has not taken long for a new position to be found, with the enigmatic 62-year-old linking up with a club that he knows well.
Cardiff City legend Sol Bamba has been honoured with a new mural in Grangetown, unveiled less than a year after his tragic death at the age of 39. His widow, Chloe, delivered a heartfelt tribute at the ceremony, admitting she will “never be OK” with how her husband was taken but expressing gratitude for the love and support shown by the community.
Luis Enrique has discovered a new tactical perspective by watching Paris Saint-Germain matches from the stands, first against Lens and then in the Champions League win over Atalanta. The Spaniard adopted the change after taking inspiration from rugby coaches and argues the vantage point offers clearer insights. However, he insists he will ditch this approach and not “play with fire” in Sunday’s heated clash with Marseille.
Peter Schmeichel admits that Antony was “never good enough for Manchester United” but the Red Devils legend has questioned why Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund were allowed to leave Old Trafford. The Scotland international midfielder and Danish striker are now team-mates again in Italy at Napoli after surprisingly being deemed surplus to requirements.