The official confirmation of Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille departure arrived at 2:35 on Tuesday morning. In that sense - and that sense alone - the timing of the news was odd. But there was nothing else remotely surprising about De Zerbi's exit. It had been coming for some time, and Sunday's humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes was obviously the final nail in De Zerbi's coffin.
Amakhosi will face the Egyptian heavyweights, knowing that at least a draw will guarantee them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. It will not be easy though, as The White Knights need a win too, to book their place in the knockout rounds. The two heavyweights of their respective countries do battle in Ismailia, Egypt on Valentine's Day.
Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been brutally axed from the Al-Hilal squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema. The Saudi Pro League heavyweights, who have their sights set on another domestic title triumph, acquired ex-Real Madrid star Benzema during the winter transfer window. There is now no room in their ranks for Uruguay international Nunez.
Fans have reacted with fury and bemusement after Arsenal defender Gabriel avoided a red card against Brentford. The Brazil centre-back had been yellow carded earlier in the London derby, and was walking a disciplinary tight-rope when he brought down Dango Ouattara with a rash challenge, but he was not sent off.
Arsenal missed out on the chance to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday. Mikel Arteta's side, who were way off their best throughout a frustrating evening in west London, looked to have found a way to win when Noni Madueke headed home superbly just after the hour mark. But Keane Lewis-Potter produced his own exceptional header 19 minutes from time to earn the hosts a point they thoroughly deserved and put a dent in the Gunners' title hopes
Barcelona were thumped 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, as Diego Simeone's side ran riot against a truly dismal Blaugrana side. Hansi Flick's high line was exposed routinely and ruthlessly throughout a night that the Metropolitano faithful could barely believe.
Manchester United took one huge step towards a first-ever Women's Champions League quarter-final on Thursday, with goals from Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard and Julia Zigiotti Olme delivering a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Spain. In their first foray in the competition proper, the Red Devils are all-but-in the last eight now, and set to meet Bayern Munich in the next round.
Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is in talks with Charlton Athletic over a potential return to football, per a new report from BBC Sport. The forward was forced to leave the Hammers after a car crash left him with multiple leg fractures.
Robbie Keane brushed off speculation linking him with the vacant Tottenham job and cut short a post-match interview after being asked whether he expected an approach from his former club. Spurs' dismissal of Thomas Frank has left officials scrambling for a replacement, with reports suggesting former boss Mauricio Pochettino is a top target, but would not join until after the World Cup.
Raheem Sterling opted to move to Feyenoord despite holding talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a shock move to north London, according to a new report. The ex-England international is seeking a fresh start in the Netherlands, but he had the opportunity to remain in the Premier League.
England have been handed a brutal draw on their return to the top table of Nations League football. The Three Lions will take on Spain, Croatia, and Czechia in what could be seen as a Group of Death for Thomas Tuchel's men, who will first attempt to win the World Cup this summer.
For the second successive match in this competition, the Buccaneers have been drawn against lower-division opposition. They are aiming to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2024 before being dethroned by Kaizer Chiefs last season. The Sea Robbers have been cautioned against the opponents they will be coming up against.
Manchester United have issued a statement insisting they are an "inclusive and welcoming club" after an intense backlash to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on immigration. The INEOS founder claimed the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants" in a rant he has since issued an apology for.
Amakhosi will face the Egyptian heavyweights, knowing that at least a draw can help them reach the quarter-finals. Three back-to-back wins should act as a morale booster for the Soweto giants, who are also on top of the table before the do-or-die clash on Valentine's Day. If ZESCO United manage to hold Al Masry to a draw, that will be a positive outcome for Chiefs, as they will automatically advance to the next phase regardless of the result of their own game.
Roy Keane has delivered a withering assessment of Benjamin Sesko's fine finish for Manchester United against West Ham. The Slovenia international came off the bench to equalise in the 96th-minute, maintaining a five-game unbeaten run under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Raheem Sterling has joined Feyenoord as a free agent. The former Chelsea and Arsenal star has headed to the Netherlands to link up with Robin van Persie, who is currently managing the Dutch giants.
The Brazilians' camp has been on fire this week after damning allegations against one of the technical team members. The saga comes as the team prepares for a crucial CAF Champions League game, at a time the coach would be avoiding any distractions affecting his players. A senior player has responded to the saga rocking Chloorkop.
Nottingham Forest are closing in on their replacement for Sean Dyche, after sacking the former Burnley and Everton boss in the wake of their 0-0 draw with 20th-placed Wolves. The club are currently three points above the relegation zone with 12 games of the season remaining, and are now closing in on the appointment of Vitor Pereira, himself a previous manager of the Molineux club.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to generate transfer talk in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr, but the Portuguese GOAT has been informed that his next move “won’t be to Manchester United”. CR7 has previously taken in two spells at Old Trafford, but a third is being ruled out as the all-time great mulls over his future options at 41 years of age.
Although it is a matter of months before the next transfer window opens, the Buccaneers' scouting department is not resting. According to reports, the Sea Robbers have already identified a defender they would like to bring on board. In the last off-season window, they signed over 10 players and added more in January.
Michael Owen has told GOAL of the key striker decision that Thomas Tuchel must make when piecing together his England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Harry Kane, as captain of his country, is a guaranteed selection if fit. Questions continue to be asked of who should join the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer in a star-studded party heading to North America.
United States star Catarina Macario reportedly has an offer on the table from three-time Champions League winners Barcelona, amid growing interest in her services from major clubs across Europe. Macario's contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season and it has also been reported that she has turned down a new deal with the Blues, making her a figure of real interest as the summer transfer window approaches.
Real Madrid have been rocked by a fresh injury scare as Kylian Mbappe missed training for the second day running. The Frenchman is struggling with recurring knee discomfort ahead of Saturday’s clash with Real Sociedad. With a massive Champions League tie against Benfica on the horizon, manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces a nervous wait to see if his talisman will be fit to lead the line in the capital.
The 30-year-old Buccaneers defender is yet to feature in a competitive match for the Soweto giants this season. He last played a competitive game in May 2025, and as he worked his way to try and make himself a regular this term, tragedy struck, and he found himself on the sidelines battling to regain full fitness.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has been charged with two new counts of rape. The 32-year-old, who severed ties with the Gunners in the summer of 2025 when reaching the end of his contract and becoming a free agent, faces trial in November after denying allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.
Arne Slot is nursing another injury headache at Liverpool, with the Reds boss announcing that a knock sustained by Wataru Endo looks to be a “serious one”. It has been stated that the outlook “doesn’t look good” for the versatile Japan international. He was forced out of a Premier League clash with Sunderland and is facing up to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Virgil van Dijk has issued a passionate plea to defensive partner Ibrahima Konate, urging the "world-class" centre-back to commit his future to Liverpool as his contract ticks down towards expiry. The Reds captain admits the negotiation process is "never easy" but insists the Frenchman is vital to Arne Slot’s vision, amid growing fears he could leave for free this summer.
It has now been revealed that the Soweto giants were keen to sign the fullback but were beaten by their rivals from Pretoria. After establishing himself as a top defender at his former club, the South African talent became a subject of intense transfer pursuit from big clubs. He finally moved to the Tshwane Giants, where he is yet to become a regular starter.