Jobs, pride and a double at stake as Manchester heads to Wembley
May 24 – It’s a repeat of last year’s showpiece final but this time, it could be judgement day for one of the two managers.
Europe
Barca fire Xavi, Hansi Flick to take over
May 24 – Barcelona have sacked manager Xavi with former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to replace him.
AC Milan fire Pioli after second place Serie A finish behind Inter
May 24 – Stefano Pioli has been sacked as head coach of AC Milan two years after guiding them to the Serie A title, the Italian giants announced on Friday.
Ajax put faith in Italy’s Francesco Farioli to return them to their true philosophy
May 24 – Ajax Amsterdam have put their trust in Italian manager Francesco Farioli to lead the Dutch club for the next three seasons. He succeeds John van’t Schip.
Hankook Tires keeps on rolling with Europa and Conference League renewals
May 24 – Hankook Tire has renewed its sponsorships of UEFA’ Europa League and Conference League for a further three seasons, taking them to until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Budapest to host 2024/25 UCL final. UEFA waits for San Siro refurb news before awarding 2025/26
May 23 – Next season’s Champions League final will be staged at Budapest’s 67,215-capacity Puskas Arena, UEFA have decided.
Alonso feels the pain of Europa League loss as Leverkusen now look to German Cup final
May 23 – Losing for the first time in 361 days was a bitter pill to swallow for Bayer Leverkusen’s young coach Xabi Alonso following 51 unbeaten games.
Kompany set to move from Burnley to Bayern, reports
May 23 – Bayern Munich are reported to be in advanced talks over the shock appointment of Vincent Kompany as their new coach.
Lookman hat-trick drives Atalanta to Europa League title and end Leverkusen’s run
By Samindra Kunti in Dublin
May 22 – Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick stunned Leverkusen 3-0 to lead Atalanta to the Europa League crown and the Italian club’s first-ever continental silverware, ending the German champions’ dream of a treble and a perfect season.
Europa League final: Bayer Leverkusen start as favourites but Atalanta are hungry for silverware
May 22 – It may not be the grand farewell for Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool fans had hoped for, but Atalanta or Leverkusen will be crowned Europa League winners on Wednesday in the Irish capital.
Forward thinking. England drop Rashford from Euro 2024 squad
May 22 – Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford was the most controversial omission when England manager Gareth Southgate named his provisional squad of 33 for the European Championship.
Security fears force Scots to close Hampden’s doors for Nations League visit of Israel
May 21 – Israel’s visit to Scotland for a Euro 2025 qualifying game on May 31 will be played behind closed doors because of security concerns amid public protests over Israel’s continued military operation in Gaza.
French minister demands Monaco’s Camara is sanctioned for covering anti-homophobia logo
May 21 – French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera has called for “the strongest sanctions” to be taken after one of Monaco’s players deliberately covered up an anti-homophobia message on his shirt in the club’s final league game of the season on Sunday.
Bulgaria appoint first female ref to top tier men’s league match
May 21 – In a historic moment for Bulgarian football, a female referee will take charge of a match in the country’s first division.
Bayer Leverkusen complete unbeaten Bundesliga season, Bayern Munich finish third
May 20 – Bayer Leverkusen have become the first team in Germany since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963 to complete a whole season undefeated.