Duncan Ferguson and Glentoran
19 October 2026

Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson has officially been appointed manager of Northern Irish Premiership club Glentoran on a multi-year contract. His appointment confirms earlier reports linking him with the Belfast side, which has not won a league championship since 2009.

Ferguson was unveiled on Monday and pledged to develop a hardworking, more attacking team capable of challenging the league’s leading clubs. Glentoran sit 11 points behind leaders Coleraine. The 54-year-old previously managed Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle and served in coaching roles at Everton. Ferguson said he was encouraged by the club owner’s ambitions and willingness to invest.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus and Pedro Proenca
18 October 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Portugal’s national team remains uncertain as head coach Jorge Jesus reportedly refuses to change the conditions that contributed to their recent disagreement. Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca is attempting to arrange talks between the two before November’s international fixtures.

The dispute began when Ronaldo remained on the bench against Norway in September and subsequently left the national-team camp after learning he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo later apologised and cited disagreements over assurances concerning playing time and public communication. Reporting attributed to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah says Jesus wants Ronaldo back but insists on maintaining his conditions. No meeting or reconciliation has been confirmed.

Richarlison, Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham Hotspur and Duncan Ferguson
18 October 2026

Tottenham forward Richarlison has renewed his public dispute over being excluded from the club’s Premier League squad. After receiving support from former Everton coach Duncan Ferguson, the Brazilian responded on social media, while manager Roberto De Zerbi suggested the decision to exclude him was made above his level.

Richarlison has not featured for Tottenham’s senior side since August and has been playing with the Under-21s following unsuccessful summer transfer negotiations. Ferguson publicly questioned his exclusion, prompting Richarlison to endorse the criticism on Instagram. De Zerbi subsequently told reporters that he had not made the decision and directed questions towards the club’s leadership. Richarlison’s future remains uncertain.

Napoli, Massimiliano Allegri and Aurelio De Laurentiis
18 October 2026

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly facing increasing scrutiny after the club lost five of its opening nine matches across Serie A and the Champions League. The poor results represent Napoli’s worst start in two decades, with upcoming fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and Roma potentially crucial to his future.

Napoli’s latest defeat came against Venezia, raising concerns about Allegri’s tactical decisions and team selection. Italian reporting suggests club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was surprised by some choices. Vincenzo Montella, Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta have been mentioned as possible replacements if performances deteriorate. Napoli have not announced a managerial change, and the candidates remain speculative.

Facundo Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Real Betis
17 October 2026

Real Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal could receive a suspension of between four and 12 matches after being sent off for an altercation with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal. The referee’s official report alleges that Bernal grabbed Yamal by the neck and delivered two headbutts while play was stopped.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea documented the incident in his disciplinary report. The supplied coverage identifies Article 103 of the relevant disciplinary code as providing a four-to-12-match suspension for aggression without injury while the ball is out of play. Yamal did not require treatment. The length of any suspension remains subject to a disciplinary decision.

Zamalek, Nasser Mansi and the club’s coaching staff
17 October 2026

Zamalek have suspended striker Nasser Mansi from group training and referred him for an internal investigation following his conduct during the club’s African Champions League qualifying victory over Rwanda’s APR. The decision represents an escalation from earlier reports of a financial penalty.

Mansi scored a late winning goal before removing his shirt, throwing it to the ground and reportedly spitting towards the coaching staff. Zamalek subsequently announced that he would train separately pending an investigation after the team’s return from Rwanda. The club’s football director will submit a report to its legal department, and Mansi’s return to group training depends on the findings.

Duncan Ferguson and Glentoran
17 October 2026

Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Northern Irish Premiership club Glentoran. The 54-year-old is expected to be unveiled on Monday, marking his return to management after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle in October 2024.

Reporting attributed to the Belfast Telegraph says Ferguson reached an agreement following negotiations with Glentoran owner Ali Shams Pour. The Belfast club has been searching for a replacement since Declan Devine departed in September. Ferguson previously managed Everton on an interim basis and had spells with Forest Green Rovers and Inverness. The appointment was not yet officially announced in the supplied report.

Fouzi Lekjaa and Royal Moroccan Football Federation
17 October 2026

Fouzi Lekjaa will reportedly remain president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after being appointed Morocco’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Public Performance. His dual responsibilities come as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

Moroccan reporting says Lekjaa intends to retain leadership of the football federation alongside his expanded government role. He previously served as Minister Delegate for the Budget and also holds senior positions within the Confederation of African Football. Morocco continues developing its World Cup infrastructure, including the Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca, which is competing to host the tournament final.

Paul Green, Bay FC and English women’s football
17 October 2026

Former Chelsea women’s football chief Paul Green has proposed introducing reserve teams into the English women’s football pyramid to address the shortage of competitive minutes available to young domestic players. The suggestion comes amid growing concerns over academy development and first-team opportunities.

Green, who helped Chelsea win 19 major trophies during his 13-year tenure, suggested that B teams could operate at the third level of the women’s football structure, drawing comparisons with arrangements in Germany and Spain. He also advocated carefully managed loan programmes. Green is now chief football officer at Bay FC and intends to strengthen the NWSL club’s squad and development infrastructure.

Rafael Marquez and Mexico national football team
17 October 2026

Mexico head coach Rafael Marquez has called for a fundamental change in the national team’s football culture after another disappointing World Cup campaign. The former Barcelona defender believes stronger mental preparation and a different approach to international competition are needed for Mexico to progress further.

Speaking at an international football forum, Marquez drew on his experiences across five World Cups and argued that Mexican football must change its mindset. He emphasised the importance of psychologists and mental-performance specialists within coaching teams to help players cope with pressure, social media and increasingly complex tactical demands. Marquez took charge after the 2026 World Cup.