That’s all from me, folks. Thanks for joining in and have a great weekend. There’s plenty on offer.
Mauricio Pochettino’s US side have bounced back from a couple of friendly defeats at the start of the month to top their group at the Gold Cup, setting up a quarter-final with Costa Rica. Jon Arnold runs through the positives.
“John Clark, who has died aged 84, was a member of the Celtic team that won the European Cup in 1967, the first time the trophy was secured by a British club. Playing alongside the imperious centre-half Billy McNeill, Clark was the ultra-efficient sweeper at the heart of defence.”
Here is Clark’s obituary, written by Brian Wilson.
Here’s what to look out for this weekend. Saturday brings Chelsea’s meeting with Benfica at the Club World Cup, while England meet Germany in the final of the Euro Under-21s. PSG take on Inter Miami on Sunday (the Messi derby), and England play a friendly against Jamaica as part of their prep for Euro 2025.
Get yourself in the Euros mood:
Andrews had quite the journeyman playing career, jumping up and down the leagues. He went right from League Two to the Premier League when he left MK Dons in 2008 for Blackburn, following the route of his manager Paul Ince. He also won 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland, starting their three games at Euro 2012.
He’s had coaching roles with Ireland, MK Dons, Sheffield United and joined Brentford last year as set-piece coach.
Keith Andrews has been confirmed as Brentford’s new head coach. In my mind he’s still hustling around in midfield for Blackburn but life moves on quick – this is his first management job and it’s in the big league.
Niall McVeigh relives the rather wild Club World Cup group stage.
Sarina Wiegman has the support of the FA – even if England have a shocker.
Afternoon, all. Here’s a (sort of) random throwback as we get prepped for the England-Germany final at the Under-21 Euros. Lee Carsley’s side got past the Netherlands in the semi-finals but the result went the other way when those two sides met in the semis … 18 years ago.
The contest went to penalties, with the Dutch winning 13-12, grateful for Anton Ferdinand’s missed spotkick. There are plenty of recognisable names here, starting off with a baby-faced Ashley Young.
That is me done for the day. Thank you very much for joining me. Taha is back it as the sun sets on another glorious week.
Leeds have apologised to fans for not being able to attend pre-season games in Germany ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s squad are set for an eight-day training camp in the build-up to the new campaign. While supporters will be able to watch other scheduled warm-up fixtures against Manchester United in Stockholm next month and also Milan in Dublin, after Villarreal come to Elland Road on August 2, no provisions have been possible for the Germany trip.
A club statement read: “Opponents and venues for fixtures were arranged earlier this year, and written assurances secured from both the German FA and our tour operator as well, given last summer we were asked at short notice by the police and local authorities not to bring supporters due to a resource strain following Euro 2024.
“Frustratingly, despite having matches agreed for a number of months, we have in the last week been informed that the police and local authorities will once again not grant a permit for us to play matches in front of spectators, will prohibit us from providing live updates and video streams, and have requested we discourage supporter travel.
“This comes despite multiple attempts to find a solution including offering various assurances, pursuing alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even evaluating moving camp to a different location on short notice. Unfortunately, those efforts were fruitless due to the last-second nature of our change in circumstances.
“This result is deeply frustrating to all of us, just as it is sure to frustrate and anger you, our loyal supporters, to whom we apologise unreservedly for this outcome.” PA Media
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Leander Schaerlaeckens writes on the Club World Cup …
Inside the corporate monstrosity hides something that’s actually quite lovely and joyful and organic. It’s burrowed down real deep, beneath layers and layers of maximalist nonsense. But it’s in there somewhere, a good soccer tournament, cloaked by all the avarice and bombast, in spite of itself and those responsible for it.
Simon Jones emails: “Who can forget big Jan Molby managing (and promoting, as well as relegating) Kidderminster Harriers?
“One Aggborough steward once told me he’d never seen someone down a pint as quickly as Molby.”
Now working for the Greeters Guild.
Which big name former players have managed in non-league? Who can forget Carlton Palmer managing Grantham?
Some upsetting news from Cheshire …
Wayne Rooney will not be taking over as Macclesfield manager after an ambitious approach by the non-league club, the PA news agency understands.
The former Manchester United and England star has been subject of interest from the National League North side as Robbie Savage edges towards taking the Forest Green post.
Macclesfield this week made an approach to Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford but, after careful consideration, the 39-year-old is not going to be making himself available for the job. United’s all-time top scorer managed Derby, DC United and Birmingham after hanging up his boots, before taking charge of Plymouth for the first half of last season.
Rooney is understood to be focused on media opportunities for the foreseeable future and Macclesfield were not considered the right move at the moment, despite admiration for the work being done there. PA Media
Brighton have signed the Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC. The 24-year-old, who was a star performer for her country at the 2023 during their run to the knockout stages, will move to the WSL club when her contract expires on 1 July. Brighton’s head coach, Dario Vidosic, says: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chiamaka to the club. She’s a talented and commanding goalkeeper who will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line. She has competed at the highest level, with valuable experience in a variety of cup competitions including the Champions League. We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that broadcasters will be permitted to interview substituted players from next season.
I am not sure anyone hooked after a bad performance will be too keen. What are your thoughts on the idea?
Seamus Coleman has signed a new one-year contract with Everton as he prepares for a 17th season at the club.
The Everton captain joined the club in 2009 and will get the chance to the lead the club out at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“I love Everton so to continue playing for this special club means everything to me and my family,” Coleman said. “Like every one of our passionate fans, I’ve lived and breathed what has been a difficult past few years for the Club and have put my heart and soul into doing all I can to help us get through it. Thanks to the hard work of many people, we’ve been able to get into our magnificent new stadium and pave the way for a brighter future under ambitious new owners, which I want to be part of.
In other transfer news … the former Liverpool and Tottenham defender Steven Caulker has joined Icelandic club Stjarnan as a player-coach.
Seeing as we are rapidly heading towards the final weekend of June, I am scouring the Lifestyle section for things to cook.
These look pretty good.
Another little transfer line from me … the Krasnador winger Olakunle Olusegun is wanted by a number of Championship clubs, including Watford and Southampton but Rangers are also interested.
A little bit of transfer news I had from yesterday … Sheffield United are interested in signing the Nottingham Forest defender Tyler Bindon. The New Zealand international previously worked under new Blades head coach Ruben Selles at Reading.
Palace's Uefa ruling delayed
Uefa’s ruling over whether Crystal Palace will be allowed to compete in next season’s Europa League has been delayed until next week, with the decision now expected to be announced on Monday. It is understood that European football’s club financial control met today to decide whether Palace have broken multi-club ownership rules but were unable to reach a verdict. They are expected to reconvene next week, with the FA Cup winners thought to be hopeful that they will be cleared.
Updated
Brendan Rodgers has told Celtic supporters to prepare to be excited by Benjamin Nygren after the Sweden attacker signed a five-year deal with the Scottish champions.
The 23-year-old former IFK Gothenburg and Genk player has joined the Hoops from Danish side Nordsjaelland for an undisclosed fee. Nygren made his Sweden debut in March of this year and has already scored two goals in four appearances for his country.
“We’re delighted to have brought Benjamin to Celtic, and we’re all looking forward to working with him,” Rodgers told the Celtic website. “He’s an exciting, quality player who will add to our attacking options in the squad. He’s a young player who has already gained plenty of experience at club level, while his impressive performances last season also saw him gain his first caps for Sweden.
“Joining Celtic is the next step up in his career, and having spoken to him, he’s delighted to be here and is ready to take on the exciting challenges ahead at home and in Europe. He’s a player that I’m sure our supporters will enjoy watching and it’s great to have him as part of our squad.” PA Media
Updated
Will Lyon manage to get out of this rather sticky mess?
Andrews set to become new Brentford boss
It is a done deal for Keith Andrews to take become the Brentford head coach. We can expect an official announcement at the start of next week.
Updated
This is my sort of transfer. Dan Agyei has turned down a new deal at Leyton Orient to join Kocaelispor, who have just been promoted to the Turkish Super Lig, on a two-year contract.
Let’s be honest, you don’t want anything to heavy to read over lunch on a Friday. Have a look at these lovely stadiums for Euro 2025.
Thanks Taha. What a fun Friday afternoon we have ahead of us. Strap in.
Time for Will Unwin to take over. I’ll hop back later in the afternoon. Cheers!
Jacob Steinberg writes about Enzo Fernández, who has had a mixed time at Chelsea.
The Leicester game marked a shift. The assumption with Fernández when he joined was that he was a conductor; a direct replacement for Jorginho. Maresca sees it differently. If Fernández does not have the mobility to be a driving box-to-box midfielder and is wasted screening a defence, then ask him to do less. Contain his role and put him in the right areas. Playing higher, Fernández has turned into a box-crashing midfielder.
Ashley Barnes, 35 years young, continues to truck along for Burnley. After a year and a half at Norwich, the forward rejoined the Clarets in January and made 13 league appearances – 12 off the bench – as they returned to the Premier League. The club have confirmed that Barnes has signed a one-year deal that will take him through to the end of the 2025/26 season. Barnes is Burnley’s second highest goalscorer in the Premier League with 42 strikes, seven behind Chris Wood.
Our Euro 2025 team guides continue to drop in. Here’s the take on Germany, runners-up last time round.
James Frost asks: “Looking for a ‘route to the final’ for Club World Cup - fixture guide. ie who would play who, in QF and SF... how the different sides of the draw line up.”
Here’s one from the Fifa website. Chelsea are on the same side of the draw as Manchester City so could end up meeting in the semi-finals. The two Bellinghams could take on each other in the quarters.
The last 16 of the Club World Cup – your favourite competition, I know – gets going tomorrow. The Brazilian sides have had a terrific time so far and the country will definitely be represented in the quarter-finals: Palmeiras meet Botafogo in Philadelphia.
“Consider it a Brazilian version of the Manchester City v Liverpool rivalry – but with a bit more spice,” write Tom Sanderson and Josué Seixas.
But this was worse. It’s nine years since England were embarrassed by Iceland in Nice.
For Roy Hodgson it was a desperate and ignominious way to end his four years as England manager. Whatever else happened in that time, his period in office will probably always be remembered for the full-on humiliation that accompanied this defeat and the knowledge it will rank among the more infamous results in the history of the national team.
A bit of hot #OnThisDay action for you, with two tragicomic anniversaries for English football. First up, it’s 15 years since Frank Lampard equalised for England on the cusp of half-time against Germany … except it didn’t count. Fabio Capello’s men fell to a 4-1 defeat, crashing out before the World Cup quarters.
Here’s what Owen Gibson wrote at the time:
It was as though England’s players had been taken in by the spin from Joachim Löw, that they were the favourites and Germany’s young team the underdogs. There was an element of shock (and awe) in the way that England were taken apart by the pace and agility of the three men playing behind Miroslav Klose.
Savage poised to join Forest Green Rovers
Robbie Savage is poised to be appointed manager of Forest Green Rovers. The former Wales midfielder is the manager and part-owner of Macclesfield and led them to promotion to the sixth tier as runaway champions last season but is expected to take over at Forest Green, who are one division above in the National League. Forest Green sacked their head coach Steve Cotterill on Thursday after losing in the playoffs as they attempt to get back into the EFL, where they spent 2022-23 in League One.
Forest Green’s owner, Dale Vince, is away at Glastonbury and is due to confirm the appointment on his return. Savage is understood to have visited the club this week and spoken to the director of football, Mark Bowen, who played alongside Savage for Wales. Savage, 50, took on the role of head coach at Moss Rose a year ago after previously serving as the director of football. Alongside the local businessman Robert Smethurst, Savage helped form a phoenix club after Macclesfield Town folded, creating Macclesfield, of which the former Premier League player owns 10.9%.
Additional reporting by Will Unwin
Updated
Morning, all. Ed Aarons has plenty of transfer updates, with Arsenal on the cusp of solving their problem position … um, no, scrap that: they’re trying to get themselves another centre-half.
With that, I shall pass over to Taha for the rest of the morning.
Mark Levy gets in touch: “In Ben’s list of the top 10 players in the Under-21 tournament, 7 are over 21, 2 are 21, & only 1 is actually under 21! Does the competition need a new name? The under & over 21s? Mark (sitting on my balcony in the Madrid Sierra, with nothing more pressing to do!)“
Via Wiki: “To be eligible for the campaign ending in 2027, players must be born in 2004 or later. Many may actually be 23 years old by the time of the final tournament; however, when the qualification process began (2025), all players would have been 21 or under.”
Time to take the quiz of the week.
Van Nistelrooy departs Leicester after relegation
Ruud van Nistelrooy has left his job as Leicester’s manager after a miserable 27-game spell which brought relegation from the Premier League.
The club said the termination of his contract had come by mutual consent. The former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Röhl are among the contenders to take over.
Van Nistelrooy was appointed in late November on a contract to 2027 after Steve Cooper was sacked with Leicester 16th but their form got worse, with demotion confirmed after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on 20 April. It was Leicester’s nine home loss in a row without scoring.
Updated
A glance at that Club World Cup last 16 will tell you that they are dominated by the Europeans, and the Brazilians, with one team from Saudi Arabia and one from Mexico. Africa, like MLS*, like Argentina, had a blowout. Paul MacInnes reports.
*Correction: Inter Miami are still knocking about. Apologies to Leo and Luis.
Updated
The Euro Under-21 final takes place on Saturday. England’s Young Lions are in the final again.
Today is a rare day off from the Copa Gianni but it resumes on Saturday with the last 16.
Saturday, 28 June
Palmeiras - Botafogo B (Philadelphia)
Benfica - Chelsea (Charlotte)
Sunday, 29 June
PSG vs. Inter Miami Group A (Atlanta)
Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich (Miami)
Monday, 30 June
Inter Milan vs. Fluminense (Charlotte)
Manchester City vs, Al-Hilal (Orlando)
Tuesday, 1 July
Real Madrid vs. Juventus (Miami)
Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey (Atlanta)
Updated
News from across the Atlantic.
Let’s talk about transfers with the Rumour Mill.
Preamble
That Friday feeling in the close season of the season that never ends. We’ll have updates from the US and Slovakia where international big boy stuff is going on. Plus the latest news as Euro 2025 approaches. And the latest in a transfer market yet to truly catch fire beyond that Florian Wirtz deal last Friday. Perhaps today’s the day.
Let’s see. Join us throughout the day.
