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After keeping Leeds up last season and reaching an FA Cup semi-final, Daniel Farke has good reason to expect further improvement at Elland Road Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 14th Continue reading...
Rubin Colwill scored a ferocious equaliser with almost the final kick of the match to earn Cardiff a 1-1 Championship draw with Wrexham. Wrexham appeared to have the Welsh derby bragging rights sewn up as the contest ticked into the eighth minute of added time at Cardiff City Stadium. Continue reading...
Kevin Lamour said Fifa administration was ‘deceived’ Chief operating officer knew he could lose his job The Fifa chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been sacked after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. In a significant development at the pinnacle of world football’s deeply troubled governing body, Lamour has departed…
Spain midfielder in £65.4m move from Manchester City ‘I’m happy that everything has been resolved’ Rodri has said it is “a dream” to play for Barcelona after landing in Catalonia on Monday to complete his move from Manchester City. Spain’s World Cup-winning captain will have a medical on Tuesday after City accepted Barcelona’s third bid of £65.4m. “Very happy to arrive,” Rodri said at Barcelona’s…
Chelsea chair Boehly and Walter each own about 13% Sale would give Clearlake effective control of club at 86% The Chelsea chair, Todd Boehly, and director Mark Walter are considering selling their shares in the club to the majority owners, Clearlake Capital, in a deal that would give the private equity company complete control at Stamford Bridge. Clearlake, whose investment is managed by Behdad…
Teenager’s glorious strike made it 2-0 against Villarreal – but though they were pegged back to a draw the match sealed a feelgood return from the abyss “The poor kid couldn’t believe what had happened; none of us could have if we’d just done what he had just done,” said Álvaro Mantilla, Racing Santander’s captain in the match they had longed for more than anything in the world. Which was why the…
Vicario has lost No 1 slot at Spurs to Antonin Kinsky Coventry and Ipswich also busy in the market Juventus have agreed a deal with Tottenham for Guglielmo Vicario to join on an initial loan after the Italian side decided against a move for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez. Vicario is set to leave Spurs having lost his place as Roberto De Zerbi’s No 1 to Antonin Kinsky, with the agreement with…
Audio to be used during live broadcasts for first time Move is part of an expansion of the RefCam system The Premier League will permit audio of on-field conversations between players and referees during live broadcasts for the first time this season. The use of audio by the Premier League’s domestic TV rights holders, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, is part of an expansion of the RefCam system, which…
The Community Shield isn’t always a sign of things to come, but City’s form in their defeat to Arsenal is concerning in the wake of Pep Guardiola’s departure Sign up for our free newsletter here There are caveats. It was only the Community Shield – and no side has gone on to win the league after lifting the Community Shield since 2018. It was against the league champions, whose pre-season has…
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! When Berti Vogts was unveiled as Scotland’s first foreign manager, back in 2002, he had a simple instruction . “When we are playing,” he said, “you can call me Berti McVogts!” Scotland fans preferred a slightly courser sobriquet when, six months later, Scotland went 2-0 down to the Faroe Islands before scrambling a 2-2 draw . Vogts left after…
Larne defender Dan Bent has played in two European competitions this summer and now faces a former team in a Conference League tie that could earn his club vital funds By Playing in the Shadows Premier League footballers are gearing up for the start of the season, but some of their fellow professionals in smaller leagues across Europe have been going all summer – even those who play a winter…
Max Rushden is joined by Will Unwin, Sanny Rudravajhala and Ben Fisher as Arsenal coast past Manchester City to win the Community Shield. Continue reading...
They have a new manager and a higher net spend than Manchester City, but will that be enough for Ipswich to avoid another yo-yoing relegation? Guardian writers’ predicted position: 19th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 2nd (Championship) Continue reading...
Season 4 of tournament will still be on YouTube KSI’s Prime FC won Season 3 final at the O 2 Arena in May Sky Sports will not broadcast next season’s Baller League, the celebrity six-a-side competition backed by the influencer KSI, the actor Idris Elba and former players including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer. KSI’s Prime FC won last season’s Baller League final at a sold-out O 2 Arena in an event…
Today’s fluff lacks community spirit After looking a tad silly in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal , with not having a midfield being one problem for Enzo Maresca and the further blow of Rodri’s departure getting closer, Manchester City really need some new blood. A surprise name linked to them is Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, who may receive a bid in the coming days as City aim to ready…
She’s always been keen on the WSL, and the club have long had their eye on her – now the Norwegian midfielder feels ready to make an impact Emilie Joramo has long had her sights set on the Women’s Super League, but she held herself back from pushing for a move over from Scandinavia – until now. “I’d been interested in the league for a long time now and it was a goal for me to get here one day,”…
Playoff winners are expected to go back down, but their owner is optimistic and is investing in the squad Guardian writers’ predicted position: 20th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 6th (Championship) Continue reading...
Additions of Guimarães and Tzolis, plus re-emergence of Ødegaard, mean champions start clear favourites after Community Shield win If this was a glimpse of the Premier League’s new order then the rest had better watch out. By the time Martin Ødegaard sat Gianluigi Donnarumma down to make it 3-0 to the champions , the Arsenal party was in full swing. “Can we play you every week?” their supporters…
Belgian is the first non-Scot in role since Berti Vogts SFA welcomes ‘aggressive, front-foot style of play’ The Scottish Football Association has appointed the Belgian Sébastien Pocognoli as the successor to Steve Clarke as manager. The 39-year-old, who was sacked by Monaco in June, will become the country’s first non-Scottish manager since Berti Vogts, who was in charge from 2002 to 2004.…
There are many good reasons why Burnley and West Ham are performing as Premier League tribute acts, slumming it in the Championship with the hope of a shot at the limelight once more. They are two flawed teams, relegated because of chronic defects, and plenty were on show as West Ham blew a two-goal lead to start life on the second-tier circuit with an entertaining draw. Zian Flemming’s late…
Al-Nassr and Portugal forward expects to retire soon Ronaldo has more than 950 goals for club and country Cristiano Ronaldo believes this year is “probably” his last as a professional footballer, the 41-year-old Portugal captain said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Sunday. Ronaldo, who has established his place among football’s all-time greats with more than 950 goals for club and…
Uncertainty about the club’s future was matched by some on the pitch in 1-1 draw with Notts County If Leicester thought this season was going to be the footballing equivalent of a gap year, visiting new places and learning some life lessons before returning home, then they were mistaken. Being outfought and outperformed by Notts County, a well-organised and energetic team promoted from the fourth…
After glory days of Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, the new season could be Korean-free for first time since 2005 It has been a cruel summer for South Korea. The national team crashed and burned at the World Cup, the police are investigating the football association, reports have emerged about bribes paid to foreign referees in 2011 and 2012 and there is a real prospect of the English Premier…
Women’s football has much to gain from the kind of reforms that threats to snub upcoming tournaments might prompt. Infantino should be taken on “And I say to all the women … Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights. You have the power to change. You have the power to convince us men what we have to do and what we don’t have to do. You do it. Just do it. With men, with Fifa, you will find open…
Spain defender on swapping Barcelona for Bromley, embracing the contrasting style of the WSL – and her newfound love for beans and crumpets ‘No, I can’t, I’m sorry, it’s a secret!” Mapi León roars with laughter, in response to being asked what persuaded her to join London City Lionesses. Does this bode badly for our interview? Fear not, the Spain centre-back is in as banterous and jovial a mood as…
You can’t help but feel the Argentinian with a penchant for red cards has arrived at his spiritual home with his move to Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid “He’s not that kind of player” is perhaps the greatest of the co-commentators’ meaningless banalities. Used shortly after a “nice guy” has scythed someone in half about a day after the ball has gone, it is by definition nonsense because if you…
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! All new managers want to hit the ground running. But landing with a dull thud has never been a barrier to future glory, certainly not at Ibrox. Take Graeme Souness, whose start as Rangers’ player-manager put the ‘pish’ in ‘inauspicious’. On his league debut, away to Hibs, he was sent off in the first half after a revenge attack on the wrong…
With Marco Silva leaving after five years, can the club take advantage of the links their new coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, has with Real Madrid? Guardian writers’ predicted position: 15th (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 11th Continue reading...
Modest but sensible-looking recruitment befits the club’s new air of stability but a continuation of their spring slump could test David Moyes’s appetite for the fight Guardian writers’ predicted position: 10th (NB: this is not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 13th Continue reading...
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Aston Villa supporters could have been forgiven for approaching the new season with feelings of great anxiety, nagging angst and face-twitching trepidation. Youri Tielemans has gone : such an elegant player with an eye [ and nose? – Football Daily Ed] for the spectacular. Morgan Rogers has also departed : so energetic and skilful, always carrying…
Every deal in the NWSL, WSL, Liga F, Frauen-Bundesliga, Première Ligue and Serie A Femminile as well as a club-by-club guide Men’s transfer window interactive guide Continue reading...
All the latest Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A deals and a club-by-club guide Women’s transfer window interactive guide Continue reading...
Headlined by Lucas Herrington’s record move to Hull City, almost a third of the World Cup squad are changing clubs with January’s Asian Cup looming From Socceroos to soccer-moves, the World Cup has launched Australia’s top footballers into the transfer vortex, highlighted by this week’s signing of Lucas Herrington and expected signing of Nestory Irankunda at top-flight European clubs. At just 18,…
The former Leicester player’s focus has moved from runner beans to running drills as the season approaches With some parts of England gearing up for a fifth heatwave of 2026 the new Manchester United goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, a keen gardener, is sympathetic to the precarious health of this reporter’s tomato plants. “You’re not used to so little rain, are you?” she observes. For the time being,…
As Ronaldo heads towards 1,000 career goals, the league plans to lift the standard of Saudi Arabian football, not just the clubs There is no Mohamed Salah in the new Saudi Pro League season that kicks off on Thursday and while the era of the ageing megastar is ending, there is still the strong chance the next few months will be dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old is 24 shy of 1,000…
Plus: players whose names appear in their clubs, big leaps and the top tier short of title-winning managers Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “Which footballer has played for the most clubs?” asks Paul Gage. Surprisingly, throughout the more than two decades of the Knowledge, this question has not been answered before. But, fear not, it will be now. Arsenal: Alan Sunderland, Tony…
Our cartoonist welcomes the EFL back, with returning characters and a look at what it’s like as an exiled supporter Buy this cartoon | Some of David’s favourite works And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...
Football Australia issues statement in support of Asian federation Calls for ‘clear and credible action’ in response to Fifa crisis Football Australia has joined a growing chorus placing pressure on Fifa president Gianni Infantino by calling for “clear and credible action” in response to the crisis engulfing world football. It stopped short of calling for the Infantino’s resignation, however, in a…
In a mailbag edition of his newsletter, Jonathan Wilson answers questions about Michael Carrick, VAR and the Premier League’s new teams Sign up for our free newsletter here Manchester United finally seem to have something that resembles stability in the dressing room under Michael Carrick. I feel with quality signings in defence and midfield, they could mount a decent challenge for the Premier…
The sponsorship deal between Cwmbran Celtic and the Welsh indie-rockers is a nostalgia trip rather than a cynical attempt to monetise ‘adjacent audiences’ As someone born on the cusp of the gen X-millennial divide, I am the perfect target for today’s 90s nostalgia. I played my modest, teenage part in the Battle of Britpop (verbal skirmisher, Blur division); I fervently sang – and, God help me,…
Messi family report death at medical clinic in Rosario Inter Miami are due to play Monterrey on Saturday night Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, has died aged 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentinian city of Rosario after a long illness, the family have announced. Jorge Messi spent his final months alternating between a medical centre in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife,…
Brazilian excels at winning free-kicks and conjuring results from them, hence why the champions were willing to spend £75m Bruno Guimarães has broken a very niche record. His £75m move to Arsenal is the most expensive transfer for a midfielder aged at least 28. This should not be taken too seriously given the previous record holder, Zinedine Zidane, moved 25 years ago from Juventus to Real Madrid,…
It has been a remarkable few days for an institution that may be irredeemable but this is a story that stretches back to a decision in 2010 There are decades in which nothing happens, and weeks in which decades happen, and those weeks tend to result in leaders being toppled. Not even a fortnight ago, Gianni Infantino was taking his victory lap on Instagram, attacking “those behind their pens and…
A new book details the footballer’s Ashington upbringing, his shyness and the work ethic that set him apart Of all the footballers who have worn the black and white, that possessive geordie pronoun “Wor” (our) was unique to Jackie Milburn; for he was a man of the people as much as he was a great sportsman. In that respect, his birthplace of Ashington in Northumberland only added to the mythology.…
A crop of young players emerges every season in the Premier League. Who will make the grade this year? By Opta Analyst Dowman is old news by now, so we’re going to look at someone four months older than him. Much like the fish of the same name, Salmon has risen quickly. The defender became the fourth-youngest player to represent Arsenal last season when he came off the bench against Club Brugge in…
Spanish full-back on moving on from the Emirates Stadium, his elation at his old club ending their title drought, and how Mikel Arteta has helped prolong his career One day when he was 18 or 19, still near the start of his journey, Héctor Bellerín got a call from Mikel Arteta inviting him round. He remembers asking lunch or dinner but this was neither. “When I arrived that afternoon, he was…
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , John Brewin , Seb Hutchinson and Jonathan Wilson to answer your questions from the Football Weekly mailbag Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email . On the podcast today: the panel discuss AI in football, their specialist subject in Mastermind, how transfer gossip works, how they got their starts in the industry and…
The 50th anniversary is the perfect time to remember 50 of the most famous – and infamous – attempts at the Czech’s chip It is 50 years since Antonin Panenka won the European Championship for Czechoslovakia with the most audacious penalty ever taken. His signature chip wasn’t instantly eponymous. A search of the British newspaper archives shows that it was barely mentioned until Francesco Totti…
Players held banner after semi-final against England Paredes and Molina investigated over brawl after final Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over the Falkland Islands banner displayed after their World Cup semi‑final win against England in Atlanta. As Argentina celebrated reaching the final with their dramatic 2-1 victory, several players held a sign proclaiming “…
With just over 1,400 days to go until 2030 kicks off, the co-hosts are facing a series of challenges familiar to their South African predecessors Morocco’s World Cup adventure came to a halt with their quarter-final defeat by France . But taking a break, even for a brief post-season summer, is no option for officials of the FRMF, the country’s football federation. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations…
