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.

Pape Thiaw, Senegal Football Federation, Senegal
28 May 2026

Senegal’s football federation denied reports that head coach Pape Thiaw refused to travel with the squad before the World Cup. The federation said the team’s delayed flight was caused by administrative, logistical and visa issues instead.

The statement said contract talks with Thiaw are ongoing but had no effect on travel plans. Senegal are preparing for friendlies against the United States and Saudi Arabia before facing France, Norway and Iraq in Group I.

Filipe Luis, Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen
28 May 2026

Filipe Luis is reportedly set to become Monaco head coach after rejecting Bayer Leverkusen’s approach. The former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender has agreed a deal until 2028 as Monaco move to replace Sebastien Pocognoli.

Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro drove the talks and convinced Luis to choose the Ligue 1 project over other interest. Leverkusen must now return to alternative candidates after making the Flamengo coach one of their preferred options.