Football/Soccer 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 31, 2026, 11:35 AM ET
Premier League Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Tottenham Hotspur espn.com are reportedly on the verge of announcing Roberto De Zerbi skysports.com as their new head coach, with sources confirming the agreement of a five-year contract framework Sources: Spurs to announce Roberto De Zerbi espn.com. This move comes as the club seeks to salvage the season over the remaining seven matches, making De Zerbi their third manager of the current campaign Seven games to save Tottenham's season - but why De Zerbi? bbc.com. Conversely, Newcastle United espn.com confirmed they possess no immediate plans to replace current manager Eddie Howe despite a challenging season, according to Chief Executive David Hopkinson Newcastle won't replace Howe 'at the moment' espn.com. Meanwhile, Manchester United skysports.com are preparing for a significant summer overhaul, planning to generate over £100 million in transfer funds through the expected departure of eight senior players Man Utd plan to make £100m in summer rebuild with eight players set to leave skysports.com.
European Transfer Rumblings & Disciplinary Issues
The future of Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella appears increasingly uncertain, as he admitted it would be "difficult to reject" a potential return to FC Barcelona espn.com, opening the door for a summer switch to the Spanish champions Cucurella: 'It would be difficult to reject' Barça espn.com. In Italy, Napoli bbc.com is considering disciplinary action against striker Romelu Lukaku after the forward failed to report for training following a request to return to the club Napoli could punish Lukaku over training no-show bbc.com. On the administrative side at Manchester United espn.com, the club is currently grappling with a wage dilemma concerning the potential acquisition of goalkeeper André Onana Sources: Man Utd have Onana wage dilemma espn.com.
International Football & Squad Selections
Tuesday saw the conclusion of the latest round of 2026 World Cup European playoffs espn.com, with significant attention focused on Italy's bid to secure their qualification path World Cup European playoffs, live updates: Italy looking to make their return espn.com. Separately, England manager Sarina Wiegman unveiled her 23-player squad for upcoming fixtures, making a surprise inclusion by selecting 17-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson bbc.com.
Equestrian & Off-Field Matters
In horse racing news, trainer Aidan O’Brien attributed the scratching of his colts Albert Einstein and Gstaad from the Betfred 2000 Guineas to an administrative error, specifically citing a "computer error" that caused the clerical issue Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Guineas due to clerical error skysports.com. This news arrives amid other unrelated incidents, such as the disclosure that Tiger Woods had prescription pills in his pocket and exhibited "bloodshot" eyes following his recent car crash Woods had pills in pocket and 'bloodshot' eyes at car crash scene skysports.com.