Barca fire Setien with Koeman favourite to lead a Catalan revival
By Andrew Warshaw
August 18 – It was a controversial appointment from the start and, after last Friday’s debacle, arguably football’s most inevitable instant sacking.
Performance
Kompany swaps shirt for tracksuit as he formally takes over as Anderlecht head coach
August 18 – Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has finally hung up his playing boots to become head coach at Anderlecht.
Inter blow Shakhtar Donetsk aside to set up Europa League showdown with Sevilla
August 18 – Inter Milan set up what should be an intriguing climax to the Europa League against five-time champions Sevilla after thrashing Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in Monday’s second semi-final.
Manchester’s miserable weekend see City and United crash out as Germans march on
By Andrew Warshaw
August 17 – First City, then United. Within 24 hours of each other, the European dreams, hopes and expectations of Manchester’s two rival football clubs were shattered for another season over the weekend.
RB Leipzig make East German history, Real Madrid and Bayern are CL’s hardy perennials
By David Owen
August 17 – In six and a half decades, RB Leipzig, who take on one of the Middle East-backed super-clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, in Lisbon on Tuesday night, will be the first team from eastern Germany to appear in a Champions League/European Cup semi-final.
Messi on the move? Rumour mill puts Man City at head of the list
August 17 – Is Lionel Messi about to light up the English Premier League? Rumours are rife that Messi wants to leave Barcelona following last week’s 8-2 Champions league humiliation – and that Manchester City, themselves desperate hunting for exciting new players, could be his destination.
PSG’s last gasp win keeps Champions League dream alive but shatters brave Atalanta
By Andrew Warshaw
August 13 – With a couple of minutes left on the clock, one of the great romantic upsets was on the cards. In France, pens were being sharpened in anticipation of pouring scorn on yet another Champions League under-achieving failure by the country’s moneybags superstar team.
The Unsinkables – Arsenal’s first Double season started unpromisingly 50 years ago
By David Owen
Arsenal fans will be experiencing a surge of optimism after a highly encouraging – trophy-winning – end to the disjointed 2019-20 season under Mikel Arteta.
2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia shortlist England’s Neville for head coach
August 11 – Phil Neville has been shortlisted for the role of head coach of Australia Women. In June, the English FA announced that his contract with England would not be extended.
Italian legend Pirlo returns to Juventus to take charge of U23s
July 31 – Andrea Pirlo has returned to Juventus to become the club’s new U-23 manager, the Turin-based club announced on Thursday.
PSG face Lyon as they look to secure French treble with League Cup win
July 31 – Paris St Germain will be aiming for a domestic treble tonight when they take on Lyon in the rescheduled French League Cup final.
Making a point: Bournemouth consider suing over Hawk-Eye blunder that kept Villa up
July 29 – Relegated Bournemouth are considering legal action over a massive goalline technology blunder in June that should have awarded a key goal against Aston Villa who survived in the Premier League at their expense.
Oscar ready for Chinese call-up, but rules would need to change
July 28 – Brazilian playmaker Oscar says he would be willing to switch nationality to play for China if FIFA changed its eligibility rules.
Premier League ends in tears for Cherries and Hornets, as Villa and Man Utd make the cut
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – Total elation for some, utter heartbreak for others. The English Premier League season, behind closed doors since lockdown, wound up on Sunday with Manchester United and Chelsea securing places in the Champions League at Leicester’s expense and, at the other end, Watford and Bournemouth being relegated along with already doomed Norwich City.
Slow to restart Juventus secure 9th Serie A title on the bounce
July 27 – Juventus have confirmed they are Europe’s most dominant team at home with a ninth consecutive Serie A crown after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi against Sampdoria clinched the league title.