Mauricio Pochettino has left the door open to a spectacular return to Tottenham following the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine will leave his role as USMNT boss following the showpiece event in North America this summer, and he's been linked with a switch to Spurs as a long-term replacement for Thomas Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has given an update on Matthijs de Ligt as the Dutchman continues his recovery from a back injury. The coach also had positive news about another stricken United player as his side prepare to welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Sunday, when the Red Devils will be looking for their fourth consecutive home victory.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has issued a prickly response to rumours linking Anthony Gordon with a big money transfer away from St. James' Park. Gordon is reportedly on Liverpool's radar as the Reds weigh up a move for the England international in a bid to rectify their left wing issues. The defending champions aren't the only side reportedly keen on the former Everton man, however.
Benfica legend Luisao has launched a second scathing public attack on the club's hierarchy following their controversial handling of the recent racism allegations involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. The former Eagles captain expressed profound disappointment with the institutional response, explicitly accusing Prestianni of lying about the incident. Luisao warned that the Portuguese giants are currently navigating a severe "moral crisis" that threatens to permanently tarnish their historical legacy, demanding that the leadership face the uncomfortable truth rather than simply sweeping a serious societal issue under the rug.
Chelsea have sent an early warning to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain after the Blues drew the defending champions in the round-of-16 of the competition on Friday. The Premier League side travel to Paris for the first leg next month before the return fixture at Stamford Bridge the following week. However, despite a testing draw, Chelsea 'holds no fear' of the Parisian powerhouse.
Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie has launched a passionate defence of Raheem Sterling following a wave of criticism directed at the winger after his club debut. The former Chelsea and Manchester City star made his first appearance for the Dutch giants during a 2-1 victory over Telstar, coming off the bench for a 30 minute cameo. However, his performance was met with sharp rebukes from pundits and fans alike, with some questioning his fitness and impact.
Angel di Maria has lifted the lid on why his time at Manchester United was such a disappointment. The winger joined United for a then club record fee of £60m just after helping Real Madrid win their first Champions League in 12 years and reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. But after a promising start he began to struggle at the Red Devils and sought an exit after his first season.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has warned his side that they must reach the heights of perfection if they are to overcome Newcastle in their upcoming Champions League knockout tie. Following the draw that paired the Catalan giants with Eddie Howe’s side, the former Portugal international reflected on the challenge of facing Premier League opposition.
Real Madrid have suffered a massive blow to their defensive line ahead of their crucial La Liga matchup against Getafe. Breakout centre-back Raul Asencio has been officially ruled out following a terrifying head-on collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga during their recent Champions League clash against Benfica. This unexpected setback leaves manager Alvaro Arbeloa scrambling for reliable options, as an escalating injury crisis threatens to derail the team's momentum at a pivotal moment in the season.
A nonplussed Pep Guardiola dismissed a question from a reporter that related to Mikel Arteta chasing his first Premier League title as a manager, insisting that he had not attended his pre-match press conference to offer advice to the Arsenal boss. Manchester City face Leeds on Saturday evening as they look to close the gap at the top of the table to two points, with the Gunners not in action until Sunday, when they host Chelsea.
USMNT star Brenden Aaronson is being tipped to spark “silly money” transfer talk if club form in the Premier League at Leeds United can be carried over into international duty at the 2026 World Cup. Ex-Elland Road midfielder Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why a playmaker that is full of confidence could have some big decisions to make on his future this summer.
The future of Atletico Madrid's star forward Antoine Griezmann has been a hot topic of debate, with recent speculation heavily linking him to a mid-season departure to Major League Soccer. Reports suggested an immediate move to Orlando City was on the cards, casting doubt on his continuation in the Spanish capital. However, the club's hierarchy has addressed these swirling rumours, suggesting that the move will not go through just yet.
Real Madrid have been plunged into a state of nervous anticipation following the Champions League draw in Nyon after club director Emilio Butragueno admitted that Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt for their upcoming showdown with Manchester City. The fitness of the French superstar has overshadowed the excitement of the draw, with the forward currently sidelined with an injury that has no definitive recovery timeline.
The truth behind Harry Kane’s links with Barcelona has been revealed, with the Bayern Munich striker reported to have emerged as a top target for the La Liga heavyweights. A presidential candidate at Camp Nou has claimed as much, stating that initial contact has been made, but the England captain has stated that he is unaware of any talks taking place.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has sought to defend Mohamed Salah from critics of his recent output, with the Dutchman pointing out that Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo have hardly been prolific of late. The Reds are hoping to see their attacking unit rediscover a spark in domestic and European competition, with the business end of another thrilling campaign being reached.
Luis Enrique has sent a clear message to the rest of Europe following the Champions League knockout stage draw, insisting that Paris Saint-Germain are no longer flying under the radar. The Spanish tactician, who has transformed the culture at the Parc des Princes, believes his side is now viewed as a genuine heavyweight capable of lifting the trophy for a second consecutive year.
Hansi Flick is targeting another 100 matches as Barcelona head coach ahead of his milestone game against Villarreal. The German tactician addressed his long-term future, the challenge of facing Newcastle United in the Champions League, and navigating the club's current electoral transition, demanding a relentless winning mentality from his squad.
Marcus Rashford has been warned over making a “lazy” and “half-hearted” return to Manchester United. The Old Trafford academy graduate is facing an uncertain future as Barcelona mull over whether to turn a loan deal at Camp Nou into a permanent transfer. Ex-Red Devils star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why Rashford has some big decisions to make in 2026.
Wrexham continue to chase down a fourth successive promotion, with ex-Red Dragons star Frank Sinclair telling GOAL why going back-to-back-to-back-to-back would be one of the greatest achievements in British football history. Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are hoping to make that dream come true, with collective sights now locked on the Premier League.
Juventus appear to be charting a course toward stability after a turbulent period on and off the pitch. Following a heartbreaking European exit and the pressure of a top-four race in Serie A, the Bianconeri hierarchy is already looking at the 2026-27 campaign. While the future of manager Luciano Spalletti has been a topic of debate, the latest indications from the Allianz Stadium suggest that the club is ready to find common ground with several key stars.
Abde Ezzalzouli has taken a definitive step forward in his development at Real Betis, evolving into a much more complete and consistent attacking threat this season. Abde has added a clinical edge to his game that has scouts across Europe redrawing their reports. This development has sparked interest from several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton all keen on the winger. Napoli also has him on their radar.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has delivered an optimistic update regarding Manuel Neuer's fitness ahead of the highly anticipated Der Klassiker. The 39-year-old veteran goalkeeper has made a surprisingly rapid recovery from a calf injury and could make a dramatic return to the starting lineup against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park this Saturday, providing a massive boost for the league leaders.
Aston Villa will face Lille in the Europa League last-16, while Nottingham Forest must overcome Midtjylland in order to remain on course for continental glory in 2025-26. The Villans made light work of the league phase, securing automatic qualification, while the Reds had to overcome a testing knockout play-off clash with Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Villarreal manager Marcelino has added a touch of spice to the build-up of his side's daunting trip to face Barcelona in La Liga, hinting at lingering frustrations over officiating and controversial calls. As they aim to solidify their position in the top three, Marcelino is focusing on the fine margins, tactical discipline, and past precedents that could help his team shock the league leaders in their own formidable fortress.
Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16, while Liverpool have been paired with Galatasaray. Manchester City must overcome Real Madrid in order to keep their dreams of European glory in 2025-26 alive and Chelsea face a tough test against title holders Paris Saint-Germain. Newcastle are readying themselves for a clash with Barcelona and Tottenham will seek to put their Premier League struggles behind them when locking horns with Atletico Madrid.
Rising Bayern Munich star Aleksandar Pavlovic has undergone a radical physical transformation, evolving from a slender academy prospect into a dominant midfield force. The 21-year-old German international recently opened up about his journey, revealing how football legend Cristiano Ronaldo inspired him to build muscle and enhance his professional conduct. As he prepares for the high-stakes Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund, Pavlovic also discussed his deep loyalty to his boyhood club and his unwavering confidence on the biggest stages in European football.