Antony
January 2026
Antony says footage of him kicking equipment and appearing tearful after being substituted in a loss to Alaves was competitiveness and self-criticism, not disrespect toward the club or squad. The report links his frustration to playing through a pubis issue and being withdrawn during a difficult game state, with Antony using social media to directly address the incident.
Bukayo Saka
January 2026
KSI said Saka is Arsenal’s most important player and argued Gyokeres still improves the team despite modest scoring numbers since his move. He claimed Gyokeres functions as a “magnet” that draws defenders and creates space for Saka, Trossard, and Odegaard, so Arsenal look better with him on the pitch.
Pep Guardiola
January 2026
Guardiola implied some City players are not fully committed to playing through minor issues, citing Cruyff’s view that players who do not want to be injured generally are not, while listing multiple absences for the Galatasaray game. He referenced the club’s medical staff, then suggested mindset matters beyond bad luck. He confirmed several injured players will miss the Champions League tie, with January signings also ineligible.
Matheus Cunha
January 2026
Cunha may be at risk of retrospective discipline after appearing to shout explicit language directly into a TV camera following his winning goal. Reports say the language was clearly heard on broadcast and commentators issued an apology for bad language. FA rules allow action for abusive or insulting language or gestures, including retroactive punishment when incidents are caught on camera.
Patrick Vieira
January 2026
Vieira said Arsenal showed questionable mental strength and lacked leaders in a damaging 3-2 home loss to Manchester United, also criticising Saka and Trossard for not creating enough danger. Arsenal’s January league form included a win over Bournemouth then draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest before losing to United. Vieira said the team needs someone to lift spirit, increase energy, and take more risks to match their quality.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
January 2026
Carrick said Solskjaer contacted him to congratulate him after United chose Carrick over Solskjaer following Amorim’s dismissal. United were reported to have considered bringing Solskjaer back, but opted for Carrick, who then started with a 2-0 win over Manchester City and reiterated his focus on raising standards and uniting players and fans.
Xabi Alonso
January 2026
A report says Liverpool have made a first approach to Alonso as they consider future managerial options, with Slot still in charge but under scrutiny during an inconsistent title defence. The claim is that Liverpool sounded out Alonso’s interest, with the coach currently available after leaving Real Madrid. Despite a short spell in Madrid, his reputation remains strong from his Leverkusen success, and the report suggests Liverpool view him as a near-future option, possibly for 2026-27.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
Reports claim United academy players and parents are pleased Carrick replaced Amorim, after Amorim criticised “entitlement” among youth players and faced public pushback linked to Mainoo’s lack of first-team minutes. Amorim’s comments followed social media complaints by Amass and Obi and a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” t-shirt worn by Mainoo’s half-brother. Carrick’s approach is described as welcoming, and his early impact was highlighted by a 2-0 derby win over City and praise from Lisandro Martinez for harnessing the crowd’s energy.
Thomas Frank
January 2026
Frank was targeted by “sacked in the morning” chants after Spurs drew 2-2 with 19th-placed Burnley, leaving Tottenham five league games without a win and deepening fears ahead of a difficult February run. Van de Ven opened the scoring, Tuanzebe equalised, Foster put Burnley ahead, and Romero rescued a point in stoppage time. Frank defended the overall performance but admitted two defensive moments cost them, as fan frustration escalated after recent poor domestic form.
Benfica fans
January 2026
Around 200 Benfica supporters entered the Seixal training base to protest results and demand answers, holding a tense meeting with Mourinho, Otamendi and Sabrosa as pressure mounts on the club’s season. Police attended and allowed entry after assurances of a peaceful protest. The group insisted on full access rather than a small delegation, then gathered on a training pitch for an hour-long discussion before leaving, following exits from cups and a league gap to leaders Porto.
