Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 5, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

English & European Club Management Moves

The managerial carousel continues to spin across Europe, with Edin Terzic agreeing to take charge of Athletic Club on a two-year contract following his departure from Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion secured their manager by finalizing a new long-term contract with Fabian Hurzeler, signaling stability for the Seagulls. Contrasting this stability, Paul Merson questioned the viability of the Chelsea project, suggesting the club's current "mess" might deter top-tier managerial candidates from considering the Stamford Bridge post, especially after their sixth consecutive league loss virtually guaranteed a failure to qualify for the Champions League a bitter blow.

Premier League Turmoil & Title Race Drama

The English top flight saw significant focus on the title implications and club instability, where a chaotic 13-minute spell by Manchester City during their six-goal thriller at Everton could ultimately cost them the Premier League crown, while Arsenal's chances remain tied to the fitness of Bukayo Saka, who could prove the difference-maker in their final fixtures. Across town, pundit Jamie Carragher bluntly assessed Chelsea as a broken club following their 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that propelled Forest six points clear of the drop zone stunning woeful Chelsea. Furthermore, 18-year-old Chelsea player Jesse Derry was released from hospital after sustaining a head injury during the match against Forest, though his coach remains hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White might recover for Forest's Europa League semi-final second leg despite needing a "miracle" to be ready.

Scottish Premiership Title Decider

The Scottish Premiership title race has narrowed dramatically, leaving the contest down to two clubs, though Rangers still retain a theoretical chance to influence the outcome despite fading hopes. Rangers' title aspirations were effectively ended after suffering damaging defeats to both Motherwell and Hearts, leading to questions over the squad's "heart and willingness to suffer" after the 2-1 loss. Hearts’ victory over Rangers, described as "pure theatre," places them on the cusp of a fairytale conclusion to their season, contrasting sharply with Danny Rohl's Rangers side facing an uncertain future as the season concludes.

Transfer News and Squad Building

Clubs across Europe are actively shaping their summer rosters, with Manchester City securing a major piece of their future as Phil Foden reached an agreement in principle on a new four-year contract extension, potentially keeping the England midfielder at the club until 2028. On the acquisition front, Scottish Premiership side Dundee United continues its recruitment drive by signing Australian defender Joshua Rawlins, marking their third player secured directly from the A-League. Meanwhile, gossip suggests Celtic is monitoring an unnamed Austrian goalkeeper widely compared to Manuel Neuer, while Juventus has identified Liverpool's Alisson as their top transfer target for the upcoming window.

Youth Football & Rivalry Spats

In youth football matters, Manchester City confirmed they will host the FA Youth Cup final against rivals Manchester United at their 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, opting against using the larger Etihad Stadium venue. Away from the pitch, former England center-backs Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher engaged in a public social media exchange, proving that no love is lost between the pair despite their shared history on the national team. Elsewhere in lower-league management, Chester FC appointed former Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson, who shares the same name as the Wrexham manager, on a two-year contract.

Other Sports Catch-Up

While football dominated headlines, other sports saw significant developments, including Snooker Championship where Wu Yize clinched the title by defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in an epic final-frame decider at the Crucible. In Rugby Union, England head coach Steve Borthwick received the backing of the RFU to remain in his post following a challenging Six Nations review. In American basketball, the New York Knicks emphatically defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game 1 of their playoff semi-final, fueled by Jalen Brunson's 35 points, to continue their historic postseason run.