Dino Toppmoller, Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner
29 May 2026

Crystal Palace have opened talks with Dino Toppmoller as they search for Oliver Glasner’s replacement. The former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has emerged as a serious option after Palace’s Conference League triumph.

Toppmoller has been without a job since leaving Frankfurt in January and is ready for a Premier League challenge. Palace are also assessing other candidates as they try to protect momentum after Glasner’s trophy-winning farewell.

Silvio Baldini, Italy, Gennaro Gattuso
29 May 2026

Interim Italy manager Silvio Baldini criticised the country’s football leadership after another failed World Cup qualification campaign. He warned against unrealistic manager searches and said the domestic game needs serious structural change.

Baldini said Italian football is being held back by leaders focused on short-term interests instead of youth development. Italy are preparing for friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece while still searching for a permanent successor to Gennaro Gattuso.

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, Florentino Perez
29 May 2026

Jose Mourinho has reportedly signed a contract to return as Real Madrid head coach until 2029. The appointment is expected to be formally announced after the club’s presidential election on 7 June.

Florentino Perez is driving the move and is expected to win despite Enrique Riquelme’s challenge. Mourinho’s return comes after Madrid finished a second straight season without a major trophy and began planning another rebuild.

Federico Dimarco, Inter Milan, Cristian Chivu
29 May 2026

Federico Dimarco hit back at critics after winning Serie A’s MVP award one year after heavy criticism during Inter Milan’s trophyless campaign. He became the first Italian player to claim the honour.

Dimarco produced 18 assists and seven goals as Inter won the Serie A title and Coppa Italia under Cristian Chivu. He dedicated the award to family and to those who had claimed he was finished.

Michael Skubala, Bristol City, Lincoln City, Tommy Elphick
29 May 2026

Bristol City are close to appointing Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala after Tommy Elphick turned down the role. The Championship club moved quickly after missing out on Bournemouth’s assistant coach earlier this week.

Skubala recently signed a new Lincoln deal, so Bristol City must pay more than £1 million in compensation. His League One title win and connection with sporting director James Ellis strengthened his case.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Premier League, KMI Panel
29 May 2026

Premier League review data showed Arsenal and Chelsea benefited most from VAR and on-field errors during the 2025-26 season. Arsenal should have conceded three penalties and received three red cards, according to the KMI panel.

The panel recorded 25 VAR errors, up from 18 last season, although still below earlier campaigns. Chelsea gained from eight total mistakes and Arsenal from seven, while Leeds, Bournemouth, Palace and Everton were among the worst affected.

Mauricio Pochettino, AC Milan, USMNT
28 May 2026

Mauricio Pochettino held initial talks with AC Milan over their vacant manager role while preparing the USMNT for the World Cup. His U.S. Soccer contract expires after the tournament, leaving his long-term future open.

Milan are searching for a replacement after sacking Massimiliano Allegri and clearing out senior football leadership. Pochettino insisted his focus remains on the World Cup, while U.S. Soccer said he has been transparent about outside interest.

Massimiliano Allegri, Napoli, Antonio Conte
28 May 2026

Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly agreed a two-year contract to become Napoli manager after Antonio Conte’s exit. The move gives Napoli an experienced successor as they look to respond quickly after missing their targets this season.

Conte’s departure opened a major vacancy one year after Napoli’s Serie A title. Allegri brings domestic pedigree and a calmer rebuild profile, but he inherits a squad that needs direction after a disappointing European campaign.

Eduardo, Brazil, Argentina, Conmebol
28 May 2026

Brazil youth international Eduardo has been banned for four months after mimicking a monkey gesture in protest at alleged racist abuse during an under-17 match against Argentina. Argentine player Matheo Benitez received the same sanction.

Brazil players had complained to the referee during the match, but the anti-racism protocol was not applied. Palmeiras and the Brazilian federation believe Eduardo’s punishment is unfair and are working on an appeal.

Champions League, Budapest, Viktor Orban, UEFA
Ahead of 30 May 2026

Budapest’s Champions League final will be held at the Puskas Arena weeks after Viktor Orban lost power in Hungary. The stadium remains a symbol of his expensive football-driven nation-building project.

Orban helped fund major stadium projects and built close ties with UEFA, but he will not host the final as prime minister. The timing turns Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain into a showcase of his sporting legacy without him.