Mowbray takes beat seat at Birmingham while treated for illness
February 19 – Birmingham City’s newly installed boss Tony Mowbray has temporarily stepped down from his managerial role as he undergoes medical treatment for an unnamed illness.
Performance
Asian Cup semi-final is not good enough for South Korean to keep Klinsmann
February 16 – Jurgen Klinsmann has been fired as head coach of South Korea after less than a year following a humbling Asian Cup semi-final exit to underdogs Jordan and reports of infighting among players.
Club love: Bayern’s home boy Thomas Muller tops loyalty ranking
February 15 – Love was the theme of the latest CIES Football Observatory that looked at the most loyal players in Europe’s big five leagues. Head of the ranking was FC Bayern Munich mainstay Thomas Muller.
Klinsmann days look numbered as Korean coach after committee recommends firing him
February 15 – Jurgen Klinsmann could be on the way out in South Korea after an advisory committee recommended sacking the manager following the last-four exit at the recent Asian Cup.
Williamson to return for Lionesses after injury
February 14 – England captain Leah Williamson is back in the Lionesses’ squad list for the first time since April last year as preparation begins for Euro 2025 qualifying next month.
With just one point in 2024, Molenbeek fire Brazilian boss Claudio Caçapa
February 12 – Following a string of disappointing results, RWD Molenbeek have dismissed their Brazilian manager Claudio Caçapa with Igor de Camargo stepping in on an interim basis.
Rodri head possession but lags MLS’s Darlington Nagbe
February 7 – Statistics from the CIES Football Observatory have revealed Manchester City’s Rodri as the top midfielder for ball retention ‘under high pressure’ in Europe’s Big 5 five leagues, but an MLS player has pipped him to the worldwide top spot.
Making the case for youth. There isn’t one
January 13 – There have been 119 minors (players under the age of 18) who have played in the big-5 European leagues before turning 18 during the 15-year period from January 2009 to December 2023.
Goodbye Toulouse, Rouen stun French holders with marathon penalty shootout win
January 22 – French Cup holders Toulouse experienced an unexpected exit as third-tier Rouen triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout. All 11 players from each team successfully converted their spot-kicks, culminating in a thrilling 23 out of 24 kicks scored.
Henderson quits Saudi for European return at Ajax
January 19 – The lucrative Saudi league has lost one of its high-profile players after England midfielder Jordan Henderson unexpectedly quit and returned to Europe to sign for Ajax.
Gerrard sticking with Al-Ettifaq and on-going build
January 19 – Former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson may have departed after just six months but Steven Gerrard has signed a two-year contract extension to stay as head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq until 2027.
Virgil Van Dijk heads aerial ranking
January 18 – Liverpool skipper Virgil Van Dijk has been revealed as the most aerially dominant central defender in world football, according to the latest study by the CIES Football Observatory.
Man City launch 10th football school project in Dyrrah, Albania
January 17 – Manchester City is adding another facility and player development centre to its academy business, this time in the Albanian city of Durres, to be called Dyrrah City Football Academy.
Transfer talk: Newcastle back off Kalvin Phillips, Man Utd want Olise, Benzema going cold on Saudi Arabia
January 16 – Newcastle United have pulled out of race for wantaway Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips due to the club’s differing loan fee expectations. Crystal Palace, Everton, West Ham and Juventus are still in pursuit of the 28-year-old England international’s signature, who has a market value of €28 million according to Transfermarkt.
Thierry Henry opens up on mental health issues
January 10 – Former French World Cup winner Thierry Henry has spoken of his mental health battles, revealing that he may well have had depression throughout his illustrious career.