Chelsea, Aston Villa and Austin MacPhee
Saturday

Chelsea are in talks to hire highly rated set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa this summer. The Scottish coach also worked with Portugal under Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after the World Cup finals.

Villa scored more set-piece goals than any team in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023-24 and remained among the leaders last season. Chelsea want to strengthen Xabi Alonso’s backroom staff after recent changes this summer.

Cavan Sullivan, Adidas and Philadelphia Union
Thursday

United States prodigy Cavan Sullivan became the first footballer to wear Adidas’ 3D-printed boots in a top-level competitive match. The 16-year-old used the customised Project R.A.P. cleats against New York Red Bulls in MLS.

Adidas printed the lightweight boots to Sullivan’s foot specifications using athlete feedback, testing and data. The debut shows major sportswear brands moving towards bespoke performance products, with other elite footballers expected to use the technology.

Jurgen Klopp, Germany, the DFB and German media
Friday

Jurgen Klopp began his Germany reign by warning media he would leave the job if his family is not left in peace. The comments came during his first major news conference as national-team coach.

Klopp said he accepts criticism of football decisions but drew a clear line around private life. His remarks follow intense scrutiny of previous Germany coaches and show the pressure around a high-profile rebuild starting immediately.

Giuseppe Sculli, Simone Pepe and Rome prosecutors
Friday

Former Serie A players Giuseppe Sculli and Simone Pepe are reportedly under investigation by Rome prosecutors over allegations linked to unauthorised sports-agent work. The accusations include forgery, unlawful practice and attempted extortion.

Prosecutors allege the pair acted without proper licences, handled negotiations for young players and filed contracts with forged signatures. The case also involves agent Luigi Iachini Bellisarii and lawyer Alessandro Buccieri, according to the report.

Belgium, Mark van Bommel and Rudi Garcia
Friday

Belgium have appointed Mark van Bommel as their new head coach, replacing Rudi Garcia after the World Cup cycle. The former Netherlands midfielder will take charge on 15 August and lead Belgium into Euro 2028.

Van Bommel brings club experience from PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp, where he won a league and cup double. Belgium are seeking a reset after another major-tournament quarter-final exit and a golden generation transition.

Italy, Andrea Pirlo and the FIGC
Friday

Reports in Italy say the national federation has settled on Andrea Pirlo as its new head coach after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the role. The deal is said to run for four years.

Pirlo would be tasked with leading Italy through Nations League matches and into Euro 2028 qualification after another World Cup failure. His appointment would bring a 2006 World Cup winner into the job during a difficult rebuild.

Per Mertesacker, Germany and the DFB
Friday

Per Mertesacker is set to become the German Football Federation’s new sporting director after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said talks had been ongoing for around 18 months.

Mertesacker spent eight years as Arsenal academy manager after retiring in 2018 and won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. His arrival adds another major leadership change alongside Jurgen Klopp’s national-team appointment.

IOC, Gianni Infantino, FairSquare and Folarin Balogun
Friday

The International Olympic Committee said it will not investigate Gianni Infantino over a political-neutrality complaint linked to Folarin Balogun’s suspended World Cup ban. Human rights group FairSquare had argued the FIFA president breached Olympic rules.

The IOC said the complaint concerned FIFA governance, government relations and football disciplinary decisions, placing it outside its ethics commission’s scope. The decision leaves FIFA’s own ethics route as the main pressure point for any further case.

Cristian Volpato, Football Australia and New South Wales Police
Thursday night in Sydney

Australia midfielder Cristian Volpato allegedly tested positive for cocaine after being stopped by police for speeding twice on the same night. His international driver’s licence was suspended for six months in New South Wales.

Police said a secondary oral-fluid sample will be analysed while inquiries continue. Football Australia and the players’ union said they are monitoring the matter and supporting Volpato after his World Cup breakout with the Socceroos.

England’s amputee football team and the EAFA
Ahead of November’s World Cup

England’s men’s amputee football team could miss the upcoming World Cup in Mexico because of a funding shortage. The team has launched a £50,000 GoFundMe campaign and has raised just over £32,000 so far.

The FA cut funding for the amputee programme in 2006, leaving the charity-run team reliant on donations and volunteers. Former coach Scott Rogers called the situation criminal, given England are reigning Nations League champions.