Oriental Overview

The 2025-26 European season is over, and it ended just as the 2024-25 did 12 months earlier, with Paris Saint-Germain lifting the European Cup at the end of the Champions League final. Saturday's win over Arsenal in Budapest was a much tighter affair than their thrashing of Inter in Munich, but was greeted with no less joy by the French giants and their supporters as they clinched a double having already won Ligue 1.

And there we have it. The 2025-26 European football season is in the books, capped by Paris Saint-Germain beating Arsenal in the Champions League final to defend their continental crown. Soon the past nine months or so will become distant memories, such is the speed at which the footballing world moves on, especially when major tournaments on the horizon.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has weighed in on the club's search for a new manager, suggesting Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has the perfect tactical identity to succeed at Anfield. However, the former Reds captain warned that the Spaniard will face stiff competition for one of the biggest jobs in world football following Arne Slots' sacking.

Bayer Leverkusen has not yet officially parted ways with Kasper Hjulmand. Nevertheless, it is widely believed that the club will be looking for a new manager. However, the search for a suitable coach could well turn into a fiasco at the moment.