Off-Pitch & Press

Chelsea Sack Enzo Maresca After Late-2025 Slide

Enzo Maresca
January 2026

Chelsea have dismissed head coach Enzo Maresca with immediate effect after a poor league run left them fifth entering New Year fixtures. Despite winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last season and qualifying for the Champions League, results in late 2025 slipped. Club statement said both parties believe a change gives the best chance to get the season back on track while chasing targets across four competitions, including Champions League qualification. Maresca had hinted he lacked support from parts of the boardroom.

Chelsea Could Sack Maresca in January if Slide Continues

Enzo Maresca
January 2026

Chelsea are reportedly considering whether to dismiss Enzo Maresca if results do not improve in January after a poor run that has left them fifth and out of the title race. The league form has been marked by repeated leads being dropped. Chelsea have won only one of their last seven Premier League games and have surrendered 13 points from winning positions, including multiple collapses at Stamford Bridge. Champions League positioning is also under strain, though they reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Modrić Calls Mourinho Toughest Coach and Recalls Ronaldo Dressing-Room Incident

Luka Modrić
January 2026

Luka Modrić has named Jose Mourinho as the toughest manager he worked under, claiming Mourinho’s intensity once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears in the Real Madrid dressing room. Modrić described Mourinho as the strictest coach of his career. Modrić recalled arriving at Real in 2012 under Mourinho and experiencing a demanding environment despite a squad packed with stars. He contrasted that period with later trophy-heavy seasons under other managers, but singled out Mourinho’s edge and pressure as unmatched.

Nicky Butt Blasts United “Rotten” Structure and Predicts Long Title Wait

Nicky Butt
December 2025

Nicky Butt has delivered a harsh assessment of Manchester United’s decline, saying the club’s problems are structural and predicting it could take five to eight years before they are close to winning the Premier League again. Butt argues recruitment standards and the club’s overall foundation have deteriorated, to the point that even elite managers would not fix it quickly. He referenced United’s post-2013 instability and the 2024-25 collapse to 15th as evidence of deep-rooted issues.

Liverpool Sack Set-Piece Coach After Dead-Ball Collapse Trend

Liverpool
December 2025

Liverpool have removed first-team set-piece coach Aaron Briggs as concern grows over repeated problems defending and attacking dead-ball situations. The issue has directly influenced recent matches despite otherwise strong spells. Liverpool have conceded 12 non-penalty goals from set pieces in the league, with corners a major weakness, and their attacking output from set plays has also lagged. Set-piece concessions against Tottenham and Wolves shifted momentum in matches Liverpool led 2-0, forcing difficult finishes.

John Terry Auctions “Tear-Stained” 2008 Final Shirt for Charity

John Terry
December 2025

John Terry is auctioning major Chelsea memorabilia, including the 2008 Champions League final shirt linked to his missed shootout penalty and the full kit associated with Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph. Proceeds will support charitable causes via his foundation. The items are part of a 26-lot charity sale run by Goldin Auctions, highlighted by two Champions League final-related kits. The collection targets iconic career moments and is positioned as a fundraising effort, with the auction scheduled to close on December 31.

Pogba Salutes Ronaldo After Globe Soccer Comeback Award

Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025

Paul Pogba received the Globe Soccer Awards 2025 Best Comeback Award after returning to football with Monaco following a reduced doping suspension. He used his speech to thank his family and specifically referenced Cristiano Ronaldo for support during the period. Pogba’s four-year ban for an adverse test was reduced to 18 months after an appeal, allowing a return to training in January 2025 and a summer move to Monaco following Juventus terminating his contract. He has since made three appearances and described the time away as personally testing.

Dembele crowned world’s best to cap PSG’s historic Champions League year

Ousmane Dembele
December 2025

Dembele was named Best Male Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, completing a clean sweep of 2025 honours after also winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s Best men’s award. His 35-goal 2024-25 season powered PSG to their first ever Champions League title in dominant fashion. The winger finally delivered on long-hyped potential, driving PSG through a ruthless knockout run that included three Premier League scalps before a 5-0 demolition of Inter in the final. Although injuries have disrupted his current campaign, his peak level over the last year convinced voters he was the outstanding player in world football.

Chelsea probe bottle thrown at Villa bench after fiery comeback win

Chelsea
December 2025

Chelsea’s 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa ended in controversy when a water-filled bottle was hurled toward the visitors’ bench during post-match celebrations, landing near the away dugout, splashing players and staff and triggering immediate complaints from the Midlands club about fan behaviour. CCTV from Stamford Bridge is being reviewed as part of an internal investigation, with Chelsea pledging full cooperation with Premier League authorities to identify whoever threw the bottle and stressing that any supporter found responsible will face strong disciplinary measures, including potential bans from attending future home matches.

Grealish illness keeps him out after £20k London party with Walker

Jack Grealish
December 2025

Grealish skipped Everton’s 0-0 draw at Burnley after a London night out with Walker that reportedly included Winter Wonderland, a Mayfair dinner and a late visit to a Leicester Square strip club, with the pair said to have spent around £20,000 in total. Moyes said a “bug” left Grealish feeling sick despite training on Tuesday and stressed he would not expand on the illness, while also citing concurrent absences for Dewsbury-Hall, Branthwaite, Ndiaye and Gueye, and expressing hope his City loanee returns to training later this week.

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