Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

English Football Management & Personnel

Chelsea began contacting prospective managerial candidates, reportedly reaching out to figures including Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso, as the club seeks a permanent successor. Meanwhile, the future of Rangers manager Danny Röhl appears secure, as he received assurances from the Ibrox board following fan frustration over the team's post-split performance, confirming "no question mark" over his tenure. In contrast, Nottingham Forest Women parted ways with head coach Carly Davies after the team concluded the WSL 2 season in seventh place, signaling a managerial change at the club.

Premier League Survival & Controversy

Tottenham Hotspur's fight to avoid relegation took another dramatic turn as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Leeds United, leaving them just two points above the drop zone with two matches remaining. The match involved controversy, with Spurs being denied a potential late penalty that manager Roberto De Zerbi suggested occurred because referee Jarred Gillett was "not calm" amid ongoing VAR scrutiny following incidents elsewhere. The goalkeeping heroics of Antonin Kinsky, making one of the season's greatest stops, earned the draw, though the club's inability to secure the win keeps pressure on in the safety battle.

Championship Play-Off Drama

The Championship play-offs delivered high drama as Hull City secured their place in the final, producing a clinical 2-0 victory in the second leg against Millwall. Hull winger Mohamed Belloumi was instrumental in the victory, overcoming his own lack of match preparedness to deliver the decisive moment. As the Tigers await their final opponent, Southampton has requested an extension from the EFL to complete its internal review regarding serious allegations that the club spied on play-off rivals Middlesbrough, a situation Southampton's Leo Scienza hopes to eclipse with a final victory reminiscent of his "pure ecstasy" goal achieved in Germany.

Scottish Football & Player Future Gossip

Speculation surrounds several Scottish clubs as the season nears its conclusion; Rangers are reportedly looking to reignite interest in AEK Athens left-back James Penrice this summer. Elsewhere in the Premiership, Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is reportedly making a significant impact during his loan spell with St Mirren, leading to podcast discussions about whether the club can escape the play-off mire. In disciplinary news, the Scottish FA found an allegation of racist abuse by Aberdeen defender Jack Milne toward Livingston's Jeremy Bokila to be "not proven" following an inquiry.

Major Player Departures & International News

Arsenal forward Beth Mead confirmed she will leave the club at the end of the season when her contract expires, stating the decision "breaks my heart". On the international front, Newcastle United defender Rory Finneran earned his first senior call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly against Grenada. Furthermore, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is poised to join an elite group of players over 40 to feature in a World Cup, as he prepares for the tournament.

Transfer Rumours & Punditry

Transfer speculation suggests intense interest in West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, with three Premier League clubs reportedly targeting the forward. Liverpool is also monitoring Monaco duo Maghnes Akliouche and Lamine Camara, while Juventus contemplates a loan move for Nicolas Jackson. In punditry, Paul Merson expressed confidence that Liverpool, despite the challenges facing new manager Arne Slot, will finish ahead of Manchester United next season.

Off-Field Sports News & Personal Stories

In non-football related developments, promoter Nakisa Bidarian suggested that Katie Taylor's fight against Caroline Dubois would serve as the "perfect swansong event" for the British world champion. Meanwhile, the family of former WSL manager Matt Beard shared the emotional toll of the profession, advocating for changes as they emphasized that "superhuman" managers should not feel compelled to hide their struggles. A deeply personal story emerged regarding Alex Batty, who vanished at age 11 and has now come forward to recount his experiences after being missing for six years.