Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 23, 2026, 9:30 PM ET
International Management & Transfers
Speculation regarding the next France national team manager appears to be settling, as sources confirm Zidane verbally agrees to take France job espn.com after Didier Deschamps steps down this summer, while separate reports suggest Zidane agrees to take over as France boss after World Cup skysports.com. In managerial changes closer to the present, Sevilla fired Almeyda with team 3 points from drop espn.com following a poor run in LaLiga, while Tottenham Hotspur offered condolences to interim coach Igor Tudor following the confirmation of his father's death bbc.com. Separately, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dismissed immediate return rumors, stating speculation about him taking the Real Madrid job this summer is "nonsense" but I may coach again - Klopp bbc.com.
The international break continues to cause roster disruptions for top European clubs, with Arsenal being particularly hard hit; defender Gabriel has pulled out of the Brazil squad due to a knee injury sustained in the Carabao Cup defeat, making him the latest of six Arsenal players to miss internationals bbc.com. William Saliba also withdrew from the France squad with an ankle issue, replaced by Maxence Lacroix in the 27-man party Saliba out of France squad with ankle injury espn.com. Meanwhile, Ben White received his first call-up since 2022, replacing the injured Jarell Quansah in the England squad set to face Uruguay and Japan White back in England fold after three years skysports.com.
Transfer chatter suggests major moves could be brewing, with Real Madrid expressing interest in acquiring Chelsea's Colombian striker Mayra Ramírez, according to multiple sources speaking to ESPN Sources: Madrid interested in Chelsea's Ramírez espn.com. On the gossip wires, Jadon Sancho is reportedly in talks with Dortmund espn.com regarding a potential return to Germany, and Manchester United is monitoring Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly as they search for a new left back Transfer rumors, news: Man United eyeing Arsenal's Lewis-Skelly espn.com. In MLS news, French star Antoine Griezmann is reportedly close to finalizing a two-year contract, plus an optional third year, with Orlando City SC Sources: Griezmann to ink 2-year deal at Orlando espn.com.
Premier League & Domestic Football
Injury concerns continue to plague the Premier League leaders, as Kylian Mbappé publicly addressed fitness issues, asserting that "some false things have been said" regarding the knee injury that limited his recent playing time for Real Madrid Mbappé hits out at 'false things' about knee injury espn.com. At Chelsea, manager Liam Rosenior is facing mounting criticism; fans feel disconnected after a poor run, exemplified by the recent loss at Everton, suggesting the players are not on the same page as Rosenior skysports.com. Furthermore, a tough few weeks for English clubs in Europe saw four of the six Premier League representatives eliminated in the Champions League last 16 The race for Europe: SEVEN English teams in the Champions League? skysports.com.
In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic captain Callum McGregor acknowledged that the team's title defense remains viable but stressed they must secure "at least five or six" victories in their final seven matches after recent stumbles Celtic 'manufactured' title race and need five or six wins - McGregor bbc.com. This sentiment was echoed by punditry examining the title race twists, with some podcasts questioning if defeat at Dundee United could torpedo Celtic's chances while Hearts maintain the top spot Podcast: Hearts hang in as Celtic stumble bbc.co.uk. Meanwhile, Sir Kenny Dalglish suggested the Scottish FA would be "silly" not to offer current head coach Steve Clarke an extension, regardless of the team's performance this summer Scotland would be 'silly' not to offer Clarke new deal - Dalglish bbc.com.
Player Recognition & US Soccer
Several prominent players have been recognized for their contributions off the pitch, as Jess Carter, Eberechi Eze, and Alex Iwobi were all named to the 2025 Football Black List Carter, Eze and Iwobi named on Football Black List bbc.com. In US soccer developments, US Men's National Team captain Tim Ream offered praise for Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang, noting the 25-year-old American's visible development while competing in the Championship Ream: Derby move helped Agyemang to 'grow up' espn.com. On the injury front, Jude Bellingham shared his emotional struggle during his recovery from a hamstring issue, admitting he was "very sad for a long time" before returning to score in Real Madrid's 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid Bellingham after return: Injury made me 'very sad' espn.com.
Other Sports Notes
In American football news, Travis Kelce has officially locked in his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, agreeing a three-year, $54.7m contract extension skysports.com. Separately, in the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks secured wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, establishing him as the highest-paid wide receiver in league history Seahawks' Smith-Njigba signs record $42m-a-year contract skysports.com. In golf, Matt Fitzpatrick expressed confidence entering The Masters after finding the crucial "missing link" in his game, which contributed to his recent Valspar Championship win Fitzpatrick confident ahead of Masters after finding 'missing link' skysports.com.