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Bayern Munich sensation Lennart Karl has apologised to club chiefs after sparking controversy with comments about his desire to join Real Madrid. The 17-year-old winger was forced to clarify his stance following an interview where he named the Spanish giants as his "dream club", but he put the noise behind him on Tuesday by scoring twice in a dominant 5-0 friendly victory over Red Bull Salzburg.

The veteran 73-year-old Belgian tactician has been trending since the country's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday by Cameroon, who will now play Morocco in the quarter-final. A section of South African fans believe the coach has lost it, while some remain optimistic he is the right man at the helm of the Mzansi national team.

Arne Slot has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike faces a late fitness test ahead of Liverpool's showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal. The forward has yet to train fully since missing the recent draw with Fulham, leaving his participation in doubt. The Reds boss admits his side have been too inconsistent this term but believes a win against the "complete package" of the Gunners could spark a revival.

Lionel Messi has admitted he is "weirder than sh*t" in a revealing interview about his private life and previously getting therapy. The Inter Miami star, who has tended to stay away from the limelight and do his talking on the pitch, has spoken about what home life is like with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and why he sought help for his mental health at Barcelona.

Wayne Rooney has admitted his time in the dugout could well be over after revealing the strict conditions required for him to accept another managerial role. The Manchester United legend, who was sacked by Plymouth Argyle over a year ago, says he is no longer willing to live away from his family, conceding that such a stance makes a return to the touchline highly unlikely given his recent track record.

The Premier Soccer League teams are strengthening their teams as the South African top tier enters a critical stage in the next couple of weeks following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break that allowed Bafana Bafana to prepare and compete in the biennial competition. Clubs have limited times to sign players they need.

Ruben Amorim's right-hand man has become the first member of the coaching staff to address the Portuguese manager's departure from Old Trafford. Carlos Fernandes issued a dignified message to the squad and supporters just days after the board pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, reports suggest the sacked boss left the training ground in high spirits as the club narrows its search for an interim replacement down to two club legends.

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly in contract talks over a sensational return to the dugout at Old Trafford. Days after Ruben Amorim was sacked by the Red Devils, the Norwegian is in negotiations with his old employers to return for a second managerial stint. It is said that the former Besiktas boss could even be back in charge by Friday.

Barcelona's preparations for the Spanish Super Cup have been thrown into chaos just 24 hours before kick-off. While teenage sensation Lamine Yamal sat out the final training session due to illness, the club has been rocked by the sudden departure of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The veteran goalkeeper has flown back to Spain after suffering a fresh injury setback, leaving Hansi Flick's squad depleted.

Neymar has signed a longer contract extension than expected with Santos ahead of this year's World Cup. The 33-year-old has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, linked to Brazilian Serie A winners Flamengo and a host of other clubs. But the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has put pen to paper on a new deal with his boyhood club, while stating he wants to "conquer the dreams that are missing".

Florian Wirtz finds himself at the centre of a fresh VAR storm after Fulham lodged an official complaint regarding his controversial opener in the recent draw at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers are demanding answers from the refereeing body, convinced that the German international was clearly offside despite the new tolerance rules allowing the strike to stand.

Oliver Glasner has refused to rule out a January exit for Marc Guehi, admitting he "is not naive" to the lure of Manchester City. With the defender’s deal expiring this summer, the Palace boss used a vivid analogy about "freezing" to explain why a massive bid could force a sale. Glasner concedes that if finances outweigh sporting needs, the captain will be sold.

Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to leave his £1.2 million Cheshire mansion and return to Portugal following his Manchester United sacking. After turning his ire towards the Red Devils' hierarchy, the 40-year-old was given his marching orders earlier this week, closing the chapter on an ill-fated 14-month tenure. Now, he and his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, are expected to be heading away from these shores.

West Ham fans were left fuming after the Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in a vital relegation six-pointer, as VAR played a key role. First, the home side saw a finish from Crysencio Summerville ruled out, just minutes before Forest scored an equaliser, and their winner came from a contentious penalty.

GOAL takes a look at the U.S. team and where everything stands heading into a monumental 2026 World Cup.

Manchester United's interim boss Darren Fletcher has urged his players to deal with negative comments from legendary former players such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Ruben Amorim complained of Neville's criticism in what proved to be his final press conference before being sacked on Monday but Fletcher said his former team-mates should not dial down their analysis.

Jose Mourinho believes only Ruben Amorim can truly understand why he has been sacked by Manchester United, as he reflected on his own axing from the Old Trafford club. The Red Devils relieved Amorim of his duties on Monday, and are now searching for the Portuguese's successor.

Marcus Rashford is very unlikely to return to Manchester United after Ruben Amorim's sacking, according to a new report, as the decision to send him on loan to Barcelona was not led by the Portuguese head coach, and was instead led by the club's hierarchy. Rashford has been shining in Spain this season.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has revealed the club are closing in on a deal to re-sign Joao Cancelo on loan. The full-back spent the 2023-24 season with Barca after being forced out of the first-team picture at Manchester City, but the Catalan side declined the chance to sign him permanently. But Cancelo is set to return to Camp Nou for the rest of 2025-26.

USMNT legend Landon Donovan says Wilfried Nancy paid the price for circumstances beyond his control after Celtic’s Old Firm loss to Rangers in the Glasgow derby set off sweeping changes at the club. The Scottish giants dismissed Nancy just 33 days into his tenure and also parted ways with head of football operations Paul Tisdale.

Wrexham are expected to have a transfer budget of £3 million ($4m) in the January window, according to Professor Rob Wilson, Director of Executive Education at University Campus of Football Business in London, as the club attempts to strengthen in their bid to reach the Premier League with a fourth successive promotion.

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher has opened up on the possibility of playing his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, during Wednesday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League. Fletcher, United's Under-18s coach, has been placed in temporary charge of the first team after the club decided to sack Ruben Amorim.

Liam Rosenior must wait to take charge of Chelsea for the first time, with Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane set to manage the first team against Fulham on Wednesday evening. The Blues have officially appointed Enzo Maresca's permanent replacement, with Rosenior jumping from BlueCo-owned Strasbourg to their sister club in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as the leading contender to take the caretaker manager's job at Manchester United following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, according to a new report. The Norwegian left the club as manager in 2021 but is said to be open to taking the role on after Amorim's dismissal.

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has returned to boyhood side FC Twente as their new new technical director. Ten Hag has been out of work since September after he was sacked only three competitive games into an extremely short-lived spell as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. He has now decided to head back to the Netherlands.

Although South Africa's campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations was underwhelming, one of their players has already been linked with a big move. The Masandawana star has been a consistent figure in the national team, and that has helped raise his profile as a player. After winning multiple titles with the Tshwane giants, many believe he is among the players who should venture outside the country now.

GOAL's writers analyze three big decisions in football, as Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim, and Wilfried Nancy all parted ways with major clubs in the last week.

Unai Emery has revealed Aston Villa signed Victor Lindelof on a free transfer following a glowing recommendation from his former Manchester United team-mate Juan Mata. Lindelof left United after an eight-year stay last summer and decided to stay in the Premier League with a switch to Emery's Villa, where he has become a key figure in defence.

Bruno Fernandes is set to return from injury when Manchester United face Burnley on Wednesday in their first game since head coach Ruben Amorim was sacked. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is taking charge of the game as interim coach and he confirmed that the captain is in contention to play for the first time after suffering a muscle injury at Aston Villa on December 21.