Managers & contracts
Manager moves, contracts and dugout news.
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
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Wrexham's Steve Nickson move signals a bigger club restructure
Wrexham are set to appoint Steve Nickson in September, creating a formal sporting director role as the club sharpens recruitment plans.
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Kevin Keegan tribute at St James' Park moves towards something permanent
Newcastle are planning a Kevin Keegan tribute at St James' Park, with a physical memorial under discussion as tributes continue from football.
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Newcastle United takeover still looks a long way from the 2030 target
Newcastle's income has risen to £335.3m, but a 12th-place finish, UEFA settlement and squad turnover show the 2030 target is still distant.
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Luka Modric set for Milan extension and Croatia farewell in October
Luka Modric is set for a one-year [AC Milan](club:ac-milan) extension while planning to step down from [Croatia](club:croatia) duty in October.
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Messi to Yamal after World Cup final
Lamine Yamal revealed Lionel Messi’s message after the World Cup final, with Messi telling him to keep following his path.
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Rodri's Real Madrid move is stalled by Perez and City's contract push
Rodri Real Madrid transfer talk is growing, but Florentino Perez's hesitation and Manchester City's contract offer are still holding it up.
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Arda Guler returns early as Real Madrid back him for the long term
Arda Guler was first back in Real Madrid training after World Cup duty, with club sources backing him as a cornerstone of Jose Mourinho’s project.
Tuesday, 21 July 2026
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Raúl Asencio blocks Real Madrid's Bastoni move
Raúl Asencio's future is delaying Real Madrid's Bastoni pursuit. The club want a departure first, with Al-Hilal also watching the Inter defender.
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World Cup final Spain Argentina family drama in New York
Jamie Gonzalez-Bradley flew to New York for the World Cup final, but his four-year-old son Santiago wore Argentina and backed Lionel Messi.
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World Cup winners and losers: Haaland leads the individual race
Erling Haaland scored 7 goals in 5 World Cup appearances, with Messi on 8 and Mbappe on 10. Neymar’s farewell and Spain’s final win shaped the rest.
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Ayyoub Bouaddi stays at Lille as City circle
Lille want Ayyoub Bouaddi to stay for another season as Manchester City push and Arsenal monitor, with a €100m or £85m price in play.
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Arda Güler first back at Real Madrid preseason
Arda Güler became the first Real Madrid World Cup player back in preseason, giving José Mourinho an early look as competition for places intensifies.
Monday, 20 July 2026
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From Highland League to Champions League captain
Harry Milne captains Hearts in the Champions League after a seven-year rise from the Highland League through five tiers of Scottish football.
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Michael Olise's 31 assists redefine the Ballon d'Or race
Michael Olise led world soccer with 31 assists in 2025-26. Can individual creation finally beat trophy wins in the Ballon d'Or race? October 26 decides.
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Konstantinos Tsimikas recalled to Liverpool after 14 months out
Tsimikas recalled to Liverpool pre-season after 14 months away. Faces uphill battle with Kerkez and expiring contract as he seeks redemption under Iraola.
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Pickford on growth and the next generation after World Cup exit
Pickford finds meaning in inspiring the next generation after England's World Cup semi-final exit. At 32, his focus shifts from the loss to what the
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Konrad Laimer ends wage standoff with Bayern, extends to 2029
Konrad Laimer extends Bayern contract to 2029 after wage negotiations. Uli Hoeness held firm on structure; World Cup form justified the investment.
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Kevin Keegan's gone down in my estimation: the Fergie mind games
Explore Kevin Keegan's most memorable moments: the Fergie rant, his political authenticity with Tony Blair, and the fiery incidents that defined him.
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Vrancken demands guts from Hearts as they face Sturm Graz
Vrancken urges Hearts to stay focused as they face Sturm Graz in their first Champions League qualifier in 20 years, with Ba-Sy as an explosive option.
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Hearts face Sturm Graz in Vrancken's Champions League debut
Vrancken's Hearts take on Sturm Graz with a revamped squad. The Austrian side's weak European form offers Hearts a genuine pathway in Champions League
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Cameron Carter-Vickers back to lead Celtic's title defense
Cameron Carter-Vickers returns from a seven-month Achilles injury. Liam Scales: 'He's the best centre-half in the league.' The defensive partnership
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Rodri completed 811 passes as Spain swept World Cup 2026's top awards
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win World Cup 2026. Rodri won the Golden Ball after 811 passes, while Pau Cubarsí and Unai Simón claimed Young Player and
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Liverpool United States tour squad includes injured trio and six academy call-ups
Liverpool have named a 31-man squad for their United States tour, with injured players included, eight senior absences and six academy call-ups.
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Harry Kane Ballon d'Or case after 73-goal season
Harry Kane's 73 goals and eight assists across 65 appearances keep his Ballon d'Or case alive, but rivals have stronger trophy narratives.
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Belgium confirm Rudi Garcia exit at the end of his contract
Rudi Garcia will leave Belgium when his contract expires, ending an 18-month spell of 20 games, 12 wins and a World Cup quarter-final.
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Pep Guardiola Italy job talks face sabbatical hurdle
Pep Guardiola has held face-to-face talks with Italy chiefs in Barcelona, but his repeated insistence that he wants a break from coaching is the main obstacle.
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Manchester United World Cup player ratings: Amad and Martinez stand out, but Mainoo is left stranded
Manchester United's World Cup player ratings put Amad and Lisandro Martinez at the top, with Mainoo's zero minutes and Lammens' 3/10 the low points.
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Manchester City World Cup returns ease Enzo Maresca's pre-season delay
Manchester City will welcome back six World Cup players before their Asia tour, easing Enzo Maresca's disrupted pre-season after 17 squad members were away.
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David Beckham remains football’s face in America
BBC feature on why David Beckham remains football’s face in America, from LA Galaxy to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Messi’s Inter Miami move.
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Spain World Cup final celebrations took a Trump twist
Spain's World Cup final celebrations took an odd Trump-shaped turn, but the story was the control behind it: Emiliano Martinez's record 11 saves,