Fenerbahce head coach Domenico Tedesco has been hospitalised due to a severe infection, ruling him out of Wednesday's crucial cup tie. The 40-year-old tactician, who succeeded Jose Mourinho last September, is currently recovering from pneumonia at his home in Istanbul. Assistant coach Zeki Murat Gole will temporarily take charge during this critical phase of the season.
Bayern Munich are reportedly stepping up their interest in Victor Osimhen as they begin planning for life after Harry Kane. With the England captain now 32 and speculation raging over his contract situation, Vincent Kompany is keen to secure Nigerian superstar Osimhen, currently flourishing at Galatasaray, as the long-term successor to lead the frontline at the Allianz Arena.
The prospect of Victor Osimhen wearing the famous black and white stripes of Juventus has recently become a tantalising "what if" for the Bianconeri faithful. However, any hopes of a sensational return to Serie A for the Nigerian powerhouse have been met with a cold, hard financial reality. It has emerged that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis orchestrated a brilliant piece of contractual engineering when sanctioned the striker's move to Galatasaray, effectively locking the door on a domestic rivals' swoop through a secret "anti-Italy" penalty clause.
Galatasaray are no longer content with being the dominant force in Turkish football; they have set their sights on the European elite. Following a stunning 5-2 victory over Juventus in the Champions League, vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu has outlined a blueprint to transform the Istanbul giants into a global powerhouse within five years. Central to this revolution is the successful integration of marquee signings from Serie A, a market the club has raided with increasing frequency and financial might.
Victor Osimhen claims that Napoli “treated me like a dog” prior to severing ties with the Serie A champions in 2024. Despite being a prolific presence for the Italian outfit, helping them to a domestic title in 2023, the Nigeria international striker was brutally mocked by his own club in a racist social media video that ultimately paved the way for him heading out of Naples.
Still just 22 years old, Jhon Duran has joined the sixth club of his increasingly nomadic career and his third in the space of just 12 months, making the controversial decision to head to Russia and sign for Zenit St Petersburg. It is a little over a year since the former Aston Villa hitman was being linked with European giants Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, but after spells in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the striker is already drifting further into obscurity.
Ajax are the most successful club in Eredivisie history, securing the league title a record 36 times. Their most recent league triumph came at the end of the 2021-22 season.
How many teams are in the Eredivisie?
The Eredivisie currently features 18 teams competing in the league, which has been the norm since the 1966-67 season. From its inception in 1956 till 1962, there were 18 teams, too, but the number was reduced to 16 between 1962 and 1966.
Who has made the most Eredivisie appearances ever?
Pim Doesburg holds the Eredivisie record for the most appearances, having played in 687 matches over his career. His longevity and consistency between the posts as a goalkeeper made him a standout figure in Dutch football.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Eredivisie?
Willy van der Kuijlen holds the title of the Eredivisie's all-time top scorer, netting an impressive 311 goals throughout his career. His goal-scoring record remains unmatched in the history of Dutch football.
Who has the most assists in the history of the Eredivisie?
Dutch great Johan Cruyff has registered the most assists in Eredivisie history, setting up his teammates a scintillating 150 times.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Eredivise and how old was he?
Former Dutch goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed is the oldest-ever player to feature in an Eredivise game. Jongbloed was 44 years and 287 days old when he achieved this feat, playing for Go Ahead Eagles against the now-dissolved HFC Haarlem.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Eredivisie and how old was he?
Wim Kras made history as the youngest-ever player in the Eredivisie in 1959, debuting as a right winger for Volendam in a game against Ajax at the age of 15 years and 290 days.
Which famous players have played in the Eredivisie?
Prominent players who have featured in the Eredivisie include legends like Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Luis Suarez.
Which famous managers have managed in the Eredivisie?
Rinus Michels, Louis van Gaal, and Guus Hiddink are some of Eredivisie's most renowned managers.
What is the biggest stadium in the Eredivisie?
The Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, which is the home to Ajax, is the biggest stadium in the Eredivisie with a capacity of 55,865.
Who is the most expensive player in the history of the Eredivisie?
Steven Bergwijn is Eredivisie's most expensive player of all-time, having cost Ajax €31.25 million when signing him from Spurs in 2022.