Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

European Giants Navigate Trophyless Seasons & Managerial Shifts

Real Madrid's internal issues spilled into the open following a season devoid of major silverware, culminating in president Florentino Perez demanding elections after a tense press conference where he argued with reporters. The search for a new coach is heating up, with reports suggesting José Mourinho is increasingly likely to take the helm at the Bernabéu. Meanwhile, rivals Barcelona celebrated sealing the LaLiga title after defeating Madrid in El Clásico, a victory made more poignant as coach Hansi Flick expressed gratitude for support following the recent passing of his father, before later agreeing to a contract extension after securing the 29th LaLiga title.

The managerial carousel continues to spin, as Xabi Alonso faces a major dilemma weighing up a potential move to Chelsea against the allure of the "dream" Liverpool job, though Chelsea currently has no firm frontrunner on their shortlist which also includes Andoni Iraola. In contrast, Barcelona's title-winning coach Flick is reportedly already making decisions about his squad, though he is said to be grateful for the contributions of both Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski during the successful campaign, delaying any decision on their futures until the season concludes. In England, Liverpool owners FSG are reportedly facing growing fan dissent regarding Arne Slot, leaving them pondering whether to stick or twist with the manager after a frustrating home draw against Chelsea snapped their losing streak.

Premier League Relegation & VAR Controversies

The relegation battle in England saw continued drama, with Tottenham Hotspur's nerves jangling after a draw against Leeds United, a fixture where manager Roberto De Zerbi suggested the referee was "not calm" due to VAR pressure following controversy in the prior West Ham match where an equalizer was disallowed. De Zerbi’s team subsequently missed a chance to move four points clear of West Ham, meaning Tottenham faces an uphill battle to secure safety, though a late goal in a subsequent match proved potentially the "most important PL goal" of the season for Spurs' survival hopes. Separately, the decision to disallow West Ham's late equalizer against Arsenal was defended by referees' chief Howard Webb, who stated that only those against Arsenal winning the title would disagree with the VAR call, while Webb also acknowledged that a handball by Benjamin Sesko in the Manchester United vs Liverpool match could not be overturned due to insufficient VAR evidence despite appearing to hit his hand.

World Cup Preparations & Squad Announcements

With the 2026 World Cup now just a month away, major nations are finalizing their plans, with reports ranking the top contenders as they stand in the latest power rankings. While key players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres headline Sweden's roster, injury concerns persist, as Arsenal's Ben White is now a major doubt after sustaining a medial ligament injury ruling him out for the remainder of the season. On the roster front, Qatar’s 42-year-old forward Sebastián Soria has a chance to become the oldest outfield player ever, potentially joining Edin Dzeko, who is also set to feature for Bosnia at over 40 years old in the tournament, while FIFA is introducing a new feature where all first-time participants will wear a special debut patch on their shirts.

Scottish Title Race Intensity & Playoff Drama

The Scottish Premiership title race reached a fever pitch with Hearts and Celtic separated by just one point heading into the final two fixtures, with Hearts tantalizingly close to capturing their first title in 66 years on Wednesday night. While managers like Derek McInnes and Michael O'Neill are trying to keep their squads cool amid the pressure of the two-horse race, the intensity of the run-in is palpable, with former players noting the unique atmosphere on the pitch during the finale. Meanwhile, in the Championship play-offs, Southampton edged out Middlesbrough 2-1 in extra time to reach the final amid the ongoing fallout from the 'Spygate' scandal, which has left Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg emotionally stating the saga "breaks my heart" after the alleged spying charges, with Southampton now requesting more time to complete an internal review into the allegations.

Managerial Merry-Go-Round and Club Building

The managerial merry-go-round continues across Europe, as Manchester United weighs up future appointments, with internal figures expressing that Michael Carrick’s presence continues to inspire the club’s youth setup according to Darren Fletcher, despite Carrick himself refusing to over-analyze the team’s needs after a goalless draw with Sunderland during his current tenure. Elsewhere, Rangers coach Danny Rohl has received assurances from the Ibrox board that there is "no question mark" over his future despite a disappointing third-place finish, even as Rangers reportedly look to reignite interest in AEK Athens left-back James Penrice this summer in their rebuilding plans. In Spain, the mercurial Monchi has taken over at Espanyol, hoping his proven track record can mastermind a successful fight against relegation, while in Italy, Cesc Fabregas’s Como secured a spot in European competition next season following a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona.

MLS & NWSL Updates

Major League Soccer salary figures confirm that Lionel Messi remains the league's top earner, receiving a significant raise this season to maintain his status, earning $28M annually, which is more than double the next highest earner according to league filings. In the NWSL, the San Diego Wave has moved into the top spot in the latest power rankings, though the Washington Spirit continue their strong run, while Racing Louisville FC's ownership group is reportedly exploring the sale of a partial stake in the team. Adding a touch of Hollywood flair to the USL Championship, "Ted Lasso" actor Cristo Fernández has officially signed a professional contract with El Paso Locomotive after a trial period as the club announced Tuesday.

Historical Recognition and Player Milestones

In a nod to football heritage, the world's first international football stadium, Hampden Park, has been given protected status as a scheduled monument, recognizing its historical significance. Meanwhile, Barcelona's Ousmane Dembélé secured the Ligue 1 Player of the Season award for the second consecutive year despite starting only nine matches, and legendary Arsenal forward Beth Mead confirmed she will depart the club when her contract expires, stating the decision "breaks her heart." In other news, former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro gave a surprising assessment, claiming that while Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player he has played with, Gareth Bale is actually the "most complete".