Marc Skinner and Manchester United Women
Monday

Marc Skinner has left Manchester United Women by mutual consent one month before the Women’s Super League season begins. The 43-year-old spent five years in charge and delivered the club’s first major trophy by winning the 2024 Women’s FA Cup.

Skinner had raised concerns over limited squad investment while supporters questioned recruitment and performances in major matches. United are advanced in their search for a replacement and are prioritising a coach with a strong record of developing younger players.

Austin MacPhee, Chelsea and Aston Villa
Monday

Chelsea have officially recruited set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa after paying an undisclosed release-clause fee. The 46-year-old Scottish coach has joined the club’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong and will work within Xabi Alonso’s backroom team.

MacPhee helped Villa lead Europe’s major leagues for set-piece goals in 2023-24 and remain among the strongest teams afterward. Chelsea moved after Bernardo Cueva shifted away from his touchline role, adding another experienced specialist before the season begins.

Paris Saint-Germain and Google
Monday

Paris Saint-Germain have announced a multi-year commercial partnership making Google Gemini the club’s official smart assistant and Google Pixel its official smartphone. The agreement is expected to generate millions and will include a dedicated Google area at Parc des Princes.

The partnership expands PSG’s use of major technology brands and reflects football’s increasing adoption of artificial intelligence for data analysis and digital content. Google will receive prominent club integration across products, stadium activity and supporter-facing experiences.

Mauricio Pochettino and the United States Soccer Federation
Monday

Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a new contract to remain United States men’s national-team manager through the 2030 World Cup. The deal follows a 2026 campaign in which the co-hosts reached the last 16 before losing heavily to Belgium.

Pochettino and his staff will receive a wider technical remit covering youth pathways, coaching education, professional-league collaboration and national-team development. U.S. Soccer said the extension preserves the culture and trust built during his first two years in charge.

Borja Iglesias and Celta Vigo
Monday

Celta Vigo striker Borja Iglesias has revealed repeated social-media insults and threats linked to his political and humanitarian positions. One message called the Spain international a rat and said he should have been killed over his public comments and silence.

Iglesias shared the message and said this abuse happens throughout each day. The World Cup winner has previously supported Palestine and spoken on social issues, making him a frequent target of hostile online campaigns and personal attacks.

The Welsh and English football associations and Gianni Infantino
Monday

Wales has formally withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid, becoming the first home nation to do so. England’s Football Association is also preparing to withdraw its backing as pressure grows over FIFA’s abandoned private-investment proposal.

The Welsh association cited failures in governance, leadership, communication and judgement. Infantino needs 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 members next March, and further withdrawals could weaken a candidacy that had previously appeared likely to proceed without serious opposition.

Tonda Eckert and Southampton
Sunday

Southampton coach Tonda Eckert revealed that he received death threats following the club’s spying scandal and required police-related security advice. He was told not to drive himself and instead travel in the rear seat of a vehicle.

The hostility followed Southampton’s play-off disqualification and four-point deduction after staff secretly filmed opponents’ training on three occasions. Eckert accepted responsibility for authorising the practice and still faces a separate Football Association case that could bring a personal ban.

Badou Zaki and the Jordan Football Association
Sunday

The Jordan Football Association has appointed Moroccan coach Badou Zaki as head coach of the senior national team on a one-year contract. He succeeds fellow Moroccan Jamal Sellami and will lead Jordan in its upcoming competitions.

Jordan will formally present Zaki at a press conference on Thursday, 6 August. The former Morocco coach brings extensive experience from national-team roles with Morocco, Sudan and Niger, alongside several club spells across Moroccan football.

UEFA, FIFA, Gianni Infantino and Joshua Kushner
Sunday

UEFA has sent formal letters to FIFA and Joshua Kushner warning that it is considering legal action, arbitration or regulatory complaints over the abandoned World Cup investment proposal. It also demanded that all documents connected to the project be preserved.

The preservation notice covers financial models, legal opinions, communications, draft agreements and materials involving FIFA officials, advisers, sponsors and banks. UEFA warned that destroying or altering evidence after receiving the notice could constitute spoliation in future proceedings.

Victor Montagliani, Gianni Infantino and FIFA
Sunday

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is seriously considering challenging Gianni Infantino in FIFA’s 2027 presidential election. The development follows the collapse of FIFA’s private-investment proposal and growing calls from UEFA and Concacaf for a broader leadership reckoning.

Montagliani has not publicly declared his candidacy, with his camp focused on the current governance crisis. Nominations close in November, while UEFA is reportedly prepared to support a unity candidate from outside Europe to oppose Infantino.