German football manager, currently at the top of the sport
The SPFL has launched a new live domestic streaming service, SPFL Player, to broadcast William Hill Championship, League One and League Two matches outside blocked hours on a pay-per-view basis. The rollout begins with all League 1 and 2 matches on 15 August, with revenue distributed back to clubs. Further dates and details will follow as the season progresses.
Arsenal are exploring a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile defender Quansah, who can play centre-back and right-back. Talks are at an exploratory stage; Villa and Leverkusen hold valuations around €50m-€60m. Arsenal are also weighing Konsa as a potential option, while other targets and loan concerns shape their window strategy.
Arsenal have begun the season with a string of wins, including a hard-fought Champions League victory over Napoli decided late by Martin Odegaard, and sit among early title favourites. Manchester United have opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, while Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also taken strong early European results.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to Merseyside as a Real Madrid player, acknowledging abuse online and fans’ anger about his Liverpool exit. He says he remains connected to Liverpool and England, while noting the difference between in-person interactions and online hostility.
Fulham host Chelsea as Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso begin managerial duties, backed by hefty summer signings including Morgan Rogers. Chelsea arrive with a club-record 117m outlay and a reshaped squad aiming to push up the table after finishing 10th last season. The match kicks off tonight at Craven Cottage in a decisive early-season showdown.
Manchester City has maintained early-season momentum with a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace, led by Rayan Cherki’s two goals and Erling Haaland’s brace. Enzo Maresca’s side shows attacking fluency under the new manager, with Cherki delivering a Player of the Match performance and Haaland hitting form in back-to-back fixtures.
Bruno Fernandes scores a hat-trick and adds an assist as Manchester United overturn a first-half deficit to beat Ipswich 5-2. Kobbie Mainoo is hailed as world-class by Luke Shaw, and new signing Baleba waits in the wings.
Marcus Rashford starts a Premier League game for Manchester United after 20 months away, scoring 30 goals in 2022-23 and returning amid doubt. Maguire says Rashford is back, hungry, and a major asset as United beat Ipswich 5-2. Carrick and others note Rashford’s improved fitness and leadership as the season starts.
Arsenal has started the new campaign by extending their perfect run with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa, thanks to Bukayo Saka’s late decisive goal. Riccardo Calafiori and the defence have kept a clean sheet, while Villa’s new signings and unsettled lineup struggle to trouble the visitors.
Crystal Palace beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage as Ben Chilwell’s stoppage-time volley seals the win after Tyrick Mitchell equalised twice. Fulham had led twice but injuries and a late goal cost Arbeloa’s side; Palace take momentum into the next fixtures.
England has secured bronze at this year’s World Cup after a late defeat to Argentina in the semi-final, with manager Tuchel reflecting on tactical choices and a strong team spirit that blossomed during the tournament. The squad now eyes Euro 2028 qualification and a continued rebuilding phase.
US private equity firm Clearlake Capital has moved close to buying Todd Boehly and Mark Walter’s stakes in Chelsea, valuing the club at about £5bn. The deal follows Mark Walter’s attempt to raise cash to repay insurers amid a US federal tax-fraud investigation; Clearlake already controls day-to-day operations and will obtain full ownership if partners consent.
England has named its provisional squad for the Nations League, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer returning alongside a crop of young players. The team faces Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia during the extended break.
The latest update on Chelsea players and England’s Nations League squad confirms changes after Tuchel has recalled Palmer and Alexander-Arnold for four games during the international window. Palmer has missed the extended break following a league defeat, while Brentford’s form improves.
England’s Nations League campaign has seen Alexander-Arnold deliver a decisive assist for Gordon as Tuchel weighs his plans at right-back; Palmer’s withdrawal from duty draws attention to squad depth and selection strategy ahead of a Spain opener.
Woodford Town’s FA Cup qualifying match against Mulbarton Wanderers has been ordered to be replayed due to a refereeing error in the initial game. The incident led to a disputed goal and an indirect free-kick decision, with the FA ruling that the fixture was not completed under 2026-27 Cup rules. The replay is set for Tuesday.
England has secured a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the Nations League, with Anthony Gordon scoring and Harry Kane adding a second. The win strengthens England’s position in Group A3 as Tuchel refines his attack, notably Kane and Gordon, who are emerging as key threats. Alexander-Arnold returns with a pivotal assist, and England’s defense keeps a clean sheet against 10 men.
England's Harry Kane has extended his goals record and is approaching Shilton's appearances as he forms part of a future without him. Tuchel says there is no direct replacement, and Bellingham is stepping into a leading role in a new system.
Manchester City has appealed the Premier League commission’s ruling that found the club guilty of breaching financial rules over nine seasons. The appeal will be heard by an independent Board, with sanctions possible but not yet decided. City maintains the evidence supports their innocence as the process continues.
England has secured a convincing Nations League win, with Harry Kane scoring twice to become the national record scorer and lead a strong performance under coach Thomas Tuchel. The win strengthens England’s position in Group A3, with Spain ahead and Croatia trailing.
Arsenal has extended Mikel Arteta’s contract until 2030 following last season’s Premier League title. The agreement includes a pay rise and cements his place as the club’s longest-serving manager, with staff also signing extended deals. Arsenal aim to build a dynasty after ending a 22-year league wait.
The independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules over a near-decade, inflating revenues and hiding losses. City is appealing; sanctions could include relegation, large fines, or stripping titles, with the decision intensifying scrutiny of the club’s finances.
Palmer has extended his Chelsea contract, with the 24-year-old’s new deal keeping him at the club through 2033. The extension follows strong form this season as Chelsea aim for more major trophies after securing FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League success. He says the club’s confidence and shared ambitions underpin the decision.
Richarlison has been recalled to the bench as Tottenham’s plans for him remain uncertain, with his form and registration issues limiting first-team chances. He scored for Spurs’ under-21s in a trophy clash, while his broader future at the club and potential moves have dominated headlines.
Harry Kane has won the men's Ballon d’Or at a London ceremony, after scoring 73 goals across the 2025/26 season for Bayern Munich and England. Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or. Kane becomes England’s first Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001, and he thanks teammates, staff and family in a emotional acceptance.
Arsenal has moved level at the Premier League summit after Ezri Konsa’s early goal helps secure a 1-0 win over Everton. Gabriel Magalhães and Konsa form a formidable centre-back partnership, with Arteta praising Konsa’s seamless integration at the club.
Harry Kane has claimed the Ballon d’Or, becoming England’s first winner since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich forward scored 73 goals last season and helped Bayern to a domestic double, while England reached the World Cup semi-finals. Mbappe finished second and Lamine Yamal third in a tight vote decided by 100 journalists.