Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:43 AM ET

Guardiola's Exit and Arsenal's Title Decade

Pep Guardiola confirmed he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on a decade that reshaped English football. In his final press conference, he named his biggest regret as not giving England keeper Joe Hart a chance to prove himself at the club, while rival fans described him as someone they were "glad to see the back of" as he prepares for his last game in charge on Saturday. The departing manager's influence on the Premier League tactical landscape is undeniable, though questions linger about how the club's 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial rule breaches might affect his legacy (https://headlinesbriefing.com/home/bbc-sport-football/guardiolas-legacy-hangs-over-115-city-financial-charges-0d5b00a3). Meanwhile, Arsenal celebrated their first league title in 22 years with a parade in London and a 3-1 demolition of a weakened opposition, their defensive record under Mikel Arteta turning them into the best defensive side the club has ever fielded this season. Max Dowman, at, became the youngest player to win the Premier League title with Arsenal, while Lewis Hamilton, an Arsenal fan, admitted he "shed a tear" when the Gunners clinched the trophy on Sunday. Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique acknowledged Arsenal "fully deserve" the title and called them the world's best team without the ball ahead of their Champions League clash.

Final-Day Drama and Salvaged Seasons

Sunday's Premier League finale brings Tottenham's biggest game in recent memory against Everton as they fight to avoid relegation, with manager Roberto De Zerbi noting that "not all leaders are the same" after captain Cristian Romero skipped the match to fly to Argentina to see family. Thomas Tuchel's ruthless squad selection saw Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold omitted from England's World Cup 26-man roster this week, while Ivan Toney earned a surprise recall after barely featuring under the German coach who values his tactical discipline. Harry Maguire was "very unlucky" to be left out, according to Wayne Rooney, and has since called himself "shocked and gutted" by the decision. On the pitch, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will bid farewell to Anfield against Brentford on Sunday, two figures signed within weeks of each other in 2017 whose departures mark the end of an era at Liverpool; Robertson called the moment a "special connection" with the club and its Scottish roots. Arne Slot refused to confirm whether Salah would start his final game at Anfield, though he promised Liverpool would "return to winning ways next season" after a difficult defence of their title this campaign.

Play-offs, Cups and Continental Glory

Lens capped a dream season by winning the French Cup for the first time, with Florian Thauvin scoring and assisting in a 3-1 victory over Nice on Friday, while Aston Villa completed their historic campaign by beating Freiburg in Istanbul to lift the Europa League for the first time in 30 years. Unai Emery, now a five-time Europa League winner, is being recognised as an elite manager after the triumph, and a village in Ghana held a parade with 30 motorcycles and a minibus to celebrate the win back home. In the Championship, Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County meet at Wembley in Sunday's League One play-off final, with Hull City also reaching the final after defying data and logic despite the Spygate fallout. Spygate has cast a long shadow over English football, with the FA launching an investigation into Southampton over the scandal and Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic calling his side "collateral damage" after the EFL switched their play-off opponents mid-preparation. In Scotland, Celtic and Dunfermline Athletic contest the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, with Neil Lennon warning his former club that "underdogs bite" ahead of the match, while the SPFL investigates Celtic games after the SFA's KMI panel ruled the match-winning penalty away to Motherwell should not have been awarded last week.

World Cup Worries and Global Shifts

The Democratic Republic of Congo cancelled a World Cup training camp in Kinshasa after an Ebola outbreak in the east, and the squad must now isolate for 21 days before entering the United States for the tournament according to ESPN sources. England have sent just three police officers to accompany 10,000 fans in the US after American authorities refused funding. USMNT defender Chris Richards suffered two torn ankle ligaments but is expected to be fit for the World Cup that kicks off in three weeks, while Mauricio Pochettino will name his 26-man squad on Tuesday with the tournament starting June 11. In Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first league title with Al-Nassr after three years, though newcomer João Félix beat him to the Saudi Pro League Player of the Season award this year. American investors are increasingly targeting Liga MX, which one Mexican club owner called "the least explored, biggest opportunity in global sports" according to ESPN. Barcelona are exploring Robert Lewandowski replacements with Harry Kane on their shortlist for the summer, while Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia teased a potential Casemiro arrival this offseason.