Real Madrid are winning on the pitch, but tension is brewing behind the scenes. According to The Athletic, several senior players are struggling with Xabi Alonso’s rigid approach and distant style, with some insiders claiming he "thinks he’s Pep Guardiola". Frustration is growing over the manager’s strict rules and intense methods, despite two big wins recently over Barcelona and Juventus.

Alonso shakes things up

Alonso arrived in June and made one thing clear: nothing at the Santiago Bernabeu would be the same as under Carlo Ancelotti. Old habits? Gone. It’s more than just extra gym sessions. Only essential staff are allowed on the training ground. Dressing room access before matches or at half-time is limited. Line-ups are no longer leaked. Even players’ entourages now face restrictions. The idea is focus and privacy. You can tell some players aren’t used to that. And yet, on the pitch, results are positive. But football isn’t just about results. It’s about personalities, habits, and comfort levels. That part is clear. Some players are adjusting. Others, less so. 

AdvertisementGetty Images'He think's he's Pep Guardiola'

Frustration is continuing to build behind the scenes. Some players feel their freedom on the pitch is curtailed. Some think Alonso is distant. An inside source close to the Madrid dressing room has opened up on the struggles Alonso is currently facing. Speaking to the Athletic, the source said: "Some of them have won so much without doing these things that when these have been imposed on them, they have complained. He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi." 

That line reportedly keeps coming up in conversations around the squad. Not entirely flattering. Part admiration, part scepticism. Vinicius Junior’s storm-off after being substituted against Barcelona highlighted the tension, but it appears the problems may be deeper than that.

Some feel Alonso is "unapproachable". Comparisons to Ancelotti’s open, warm style only make the gap feel bigger. Specialists in training, stricter rules, restricted access, changes all designed to improve focus. And yet, it changes the atmosphere. The squad is responding with improved levels on the pitch, but they are not all happy about it.

Early successes, but growing pains

Still, the approach is working, at least in part. Madrid top La Liga. Champions League form is solid. Young players are getting chances: Arda Guler, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono. Rotations keep the squad involved. Alonso’s staff – assistant Sebastian Parrilla, physical trainer Ismael Camenforte, analysts Alberto Encinas and Benat Labaien – are implementing a plan that clearly takes time and patience.

"They are aware that they are immersed in a process that requires patience for the team to function as they have planned," the source continued. Some players are adapting well. Others are grumbling. Alonso seems willing to stick to his principles of discipline. The tension is a side effect, not a dealbreaker, at least for now.

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AFPLooking ahead at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid are always under scrutiny. Every move is magnified by the media and Alonso’s balance of authority will be crucial to deciding his future. Senior players’ dissatisfaction is something to watch, and certainly something to manage, if the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man wants to keep his job. Los Blancos will look to keep building momentum despite the unrest behind the scenes when they host Valencia in La Liga on Saturday.

Manchester United have sifted through a familiar pile of problems so far this season, but there’s been enough about Ruben Amorim’s side to suggest a turnaround may yet be on the horizon.

A daunting trip to Anfield looms large for the Red Devils now that the October international break has been wrapped up, and INEOS will expect to see an upswing in results, having unlocked their purse and spent a pretty penny on new signings this summer.

Premier League’s Biggest Summer Spenders (2024)

Club

Players Signed

Expenditure

Liverpool

7

£415m

Chelsea

10

£285m

Arsenal

8

£255m

Newcastle

7

£250m

Man United

5

£216m

Data via BBC Sport

Given that last year’s 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final have limited Amorim and his team to domestic action only this year, it’s impressive that INEOS granted a significant outlay to help get Old Trafford back on track.

Among those arrivals was Benjamin Sesko, who hasn’t quite hit the ground running after joining from German side RB Leipzig.

Man Utd considering Sesko upgrade

This month, Sesko put the brakes on his Man United progress, having scored two goals in succession, heading out for international action with Slovenia.

He didn’t carry his form over to the World Cup qualifiers, but the 22-year-old striker has shown in recent weeks his capacity to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams, with Wayne Rooney citing the star’s aerial “influence” as proving a “handful” for Sunderland two weeks ago.

But with Rasmus Hojlund now out on loan with Napoli and with a mandatory purchase option worth £38m, there’s a sense Amorim and Man United technical director Jason Wilcox might be seeking an alternative at number nine.

Well, according to Spanish sources this week, that player could be Mateo Retegui, who is already attracting intrigue after leaving Atalanta for Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia this summer.

The 26-year-old cost his new outfit a reported £56m in July, and so would cost United a heavy outlay if they were to pursue this market potential.

In fact, the Spanish media suggest a fee in the region of €60m (about £52m) would do the trick.

But two strikers are better than one, and with United planning to return to European competition by the start of next term, adding Retegui to the ranks might be a shrewd move.

Would his success come at Sesko’s expense?

Why Mateo Retegui is perfect for Man Utd

Retegui, an Italy international but born and raised in Argentina, left his South American homeland in 2023 and joined Genoa, scoring nine times across the 2023/24 campaign and piquing the interest of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta manager.

Transferring to La Dea following their historic success in the Europa League, Retegui notched 28 goals across the recent campaign, with Italian manager Luciano Spalletti saying, “Inside the box, he is lethal.”

That’s exactly what the Red Devils need going forward, and while Sesko promises much under Amorim’s management, it’s clear he is a work in progress, and that a period of adaptation might spill over into the following season.

Retegui would be the perfect player, at a different stage in his career development, to jockey for a place at the front of the ship and ensure United go from strength to strength next season and beyond.

With five goals and four assists from his past four matches for Gli Azzurri during World Cup qualifying, Retegui is proving he has retained the requisite sharpness to succeed in the Premier League for a superpower such as Man United.

If we’ve learned anything about Man United’s goalscoring conundrum over the past year or so, it’s that strikers need service. Hojlund has come alive since leaving England, and United’s 14th-placed ranking for big chances created last season (66) emphasises the root of their creative struggles then.

But things have changed this term. Tactical imbalances still reign, but Sesko is benefiting from Bruno Fernandes’ creativity; no Premier League player has created more big chances than his 18 this season.

Just imagine the gains that could be made with Retegui thrown into the mix. According to Sofascore, Retegui only missed 18 big chances in Serie A last season, scoring 25 times, which emphasises his clinical quality in the danger area. The Italian averaged more than a chance created per game besides.

For all that is lopsided about Amorim’s system and the application of the players within it, United actually top the xG (expected goals) chart in the top flight so far.

Retegui has proven over the past few years his goalscoring ability and aptitude across the final third. For Atalanta, he was “one of the best acquisitions of the summer transfer window” in 2024, after all.

European Leagues 24/25 (Top Scorers)

Player

Apps

Goals

Kylian Mbappe

34

31

Mohamed Salah

38

29

Robert Lewandowski

34

27

Harry Kane

31

26

Mateo Retegui

36

25

Data via Transfermarkt

He no longer competes on the European circuit, but the Italian has started life in the Gulf as clinically as he left his career in his homeland, posting three goals from four matches across the Saudi Pro League campaign so far.

Given that, across the past 12 months, he ranks among the top 5% of strikers for goals scored, the top 7% for assists and the top 11% for recoveries completed per 90, as per FBref’s data, there’s a sense that this mobile and aggressive goalscorer could be the perfect counterpoint to the tall and powerful Sesko.

But if Retegui were to hit the ground running, it might actually be to the detriment of Sesko’s own rise in the Premier League.

Related Man Utd now eyeing record-breaking Lammens upgrade who's "good with his feet"

The Red Devils are already looking to sign a new goalkeeper, despite signing Senne Lammens in the summer.

Posts ByDominic Lund Oct 15, 2025

Newcastle United officially confirmed the appointment of Ross Wilson as their new sporting director earlier this week after they triggered his release clause at Nottingham Forest.

The former Rangers transfer supremo will now get to work with the Magpies to shape the plans for the upcoming January transfer window and beyond.

As Keith Downie’s post above outlines, Wilson will be responsible for recruitment across all levels of the club, which means that some players may be under threat if they do not improve their performances.

One Newcastle player who may need to step up his performances to avoid being moved on by the new sporting director is winger Harvey Barnes.

Why Harvey Barnes needs to improve his Newcastle performances

The Magpies paid £38m to sign the English forward from Leicester City in the summer of 2023, and the 27-year-old winger has failed to deliver consistent performances to live up to that price tag.

Barnes has scored 15 goals and provided 19 assists in 75 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle, which has left his Transfermarkt value at £30m. That is £8m less than the club paid for him two years ago.

His form in the Premier League this season has been particularly disappointing. Per Sofascore, the Englishman has scored no goals, created two ‘big chances’, and assisted no goals in seven appearances in the top-flight.

This is why the former Leicester star needs to step up in the coming weeks, because Wilson may look at his declining value and underwhelming output in front of goal and look to move him on in January.

Another Newcastle player who already looks on borrowed time under the new sporting director is Joe Willock, who has been even worse than Barnes this season.

Why Joe Willock is on borrowed time at Newcastle

The English central midfielder’s time at St. James’ Park under Eddie Howe may be up in the January transfer window, as he does not appear to be a frontline option for the manager.

Willock has been an unused substitute on six occasions in all competitions this season, per Sofascore, and has been an unused substitute in the last four matches in a row.

This suggests that the former Arsenal starlet has not done enough to get regular minutes in the middle of the park, as Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Lewis Miley have all played ahead of him, with Jacob Ramsey also due to return from injury.

Appearances

7

2

Starts

3

1

Unused substitute

0x

4x

Goals

0

0

Big chances created

2

0

Key passes per game

0.6

0.0

Assists

0

0

As you can see in the table above, Willock has offered less than Barnes has to the team in the Premier League this season, with zero goals, key passes, ‘big chances’ created, or assists in his two outings in the division.

The experienced flop, who was described as “disappointing” by journalist Chris Waugh last year, also ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of no goals and two assists in 31 appearances for the Magpies.

This shows that Willock has fallen short of offering much in the way of quality from a central midfield position for more than a year, now, which is why his time at the club might be coming to an end.

If the 26-year-old dud continues to find himself on the sidelines, being an unused substitute, Wilson may have a decision to take on his future when the January transfer window opens, as a move away from Tyneside could be the best option for all parties at that point.

Anderson re-signs; £75m PL star joins: Ross Wilson's dream XI at Newcastle

Newcastle continue their hierarchal re-structure with the appointment of a new technical director.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 11, 2025

PBKS captain says the job is half done after finishing runners-up in IPL 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jun-20252:06

Aaron: Iyer ‘one of the best captains in the IPL’

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer praised the “fearless nature” of the youngsters in his side during their run to the IPL 2025 final, which they lost by six runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.”I am very proud of each and every individual who has participated in the team,” Iyer said on the broadcast after PBKS finished runners-up in his first season as their captain. “And a lot of youngsters who have played their first season and the fearless nature that they showed, it was simply phenomenal. I keep on saying the same thing again and again but hats off to every individual who has been here, who has contributed as support staff, management. I think without them, we wouldn’t have reached so far. So kudos to them. And also, you know, job is still half-done and we have to receive the trophy next year.”When asked about the positives from this season, in which they topped the league table with 19 points, Iyer said, “Definitely, the way we turned up to every game, every individual stepping up at the right time and saying that ‘I can win the match’. There are so many youngsters in the team. I think they have gained a lot of experience out of these matches. And I’m sure that next year when they come, they’ll be having immense experience with them. And with that, we can build the tactics and strategies around so that we can play some decent cricket.”Related

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One of the stand-out aspects of PBKS’ run to the final was the performances of their uncapped players, such as openers < Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, middle-order batters Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak.After the defeat in the final, Iyer thought 200 was a par score, implying their target of 191 was gettable. He said Krunal Pandya's spell was "phenomenal" – the left-arm spinner took 2 for 17 in four overs, the wickets those of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis."Considering the game we played last against MI [where PBKS chased down 204], I personally felt that 200 was a par score," Iyer said. "But they bowled brilliantly, especially Krunal, the way he came in. He carries a lot of experience. He has done it over a period of time. And even today, the way he bowled, it was simply phenomenal. And I think that was the turning point."

After years of courtroom clashes and failed negotiations, Real Madrid and A22 Sports Management, the company behind the European Super League, are preparing to sue UEFA for an astonishing €4.5 billion. The lawsuit, rooted in the EU’s landmark antitrust ruling, accuses UEFA of abusing its dominance and stifling fair competition.

• Real Madrid’s €4.5 billion claim against UEFA

  The European Super League, once hailed as the most controversial project in football history is back in the headlines, and this time the stakes are even higher. Madrid and A22 Sports Management, the company that promoted the ill-fated breakaway competition, have announced plans to sue UEFA for a staggering €4.5 billion in damages.

  According to , the figure represents lost profits, reputational harm and competitive damage caused by UEFA’s alleged monopoly. Lawyers for both Madrid and A22 are already drafting the claim, marking a decisive shift in strategy. After months of failed discussions and nearly a dozen unproductive meetings, the parties have decided to go on the offensive.

  This comes in the wake of a Madrid court ruling that sided with Los Blancos and A22, dismissing UEFA’s appeals and confirming that the governing body had “seriously infringed European Union free competition rules”. For club president Florentino Perez, it was the green light he had long been waiting for. The club feels that with the Madrid ruling in their favour they can seek justice and reclaim billions they believe were lost to UEFA’s unlawful obstruction.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  UEFA vs. the Super League

  The roots of this legal war stretch back to April 2021, when 12 of Europe’s elite clubs, including Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus, announced the creation of the Super League. Designed as a rival to the UEFA Champions League, it promised higher revenues and a new model for elite competition, featuring both men’s and women’s tiers.

  But within 48 hours, the project collapsed under immense public pressure. Fans protested in the streets, governments condemned the plan, and UEFA, backed by FIFA, threatened harsh sanctions. England’s “Big Six” clubs swiftly withdrew, leaving Madrid and Barcelona to fight alone.

  Undeterred, Perez continued to argue that UEFA’s structure represented a “monopoly that kills innovation and fair competition.” Supported by A22’s CEO Bernd Reichart, the clubs pursued legal action. Their persistence paid off when, in December 2023, the CJEU ruled that UEFA’s approval requirements for new competitions violated EU law.

  The CJEU’s verdict was later reinforced by Spain’s Audiencia Provincial, which declared that UEFA had abused its dominant position by blocking the Super League. The ruling not only validated Real Madrid’s long-standing arguments but also opened the door to what could become the most expensive lawsuit in football history.

• Inside the negotiations that failed

  Following the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling, UEFA and A22 attempted to find common ground. Meetings were held between A22’s Bernd Reichart, UEFA’s Teodoro Teodoridis, and representatives from both Madrid (Anas Laghrari) and Barcelona (Fernando Ledesma). At first, progress seemed possible with discussions reportedly advanced on broadcasting rights and the management structure of future competitions.

  However, talks broke down when the sides failed to agree on the format. According to insiders, UEFA was accused of “stalling to buy time” and had no real intention of reaching an accord. The stalemate frustrated Madrid and A22, who began to see litigation as their only path forward.

  While Barcelona president Joan Laporta appeared to soften his stance and align more with UEFA’s European Football Clubs (EFC, formerly European Club Association), Perez remained unwavering. In the recent weeks, Laporta has been adamant in mending ties and 'building bridges' with UEFA and was also attended a meeting in Rome Organised by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi where UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin was also present. "By coming here, we want to build rapport and for this agreement to be reached," Laporta said while attending the meeting.

  However, Perez, saw the ruling as vindication and an opportunity to challenge UEFA’s control over European football. The upcoming lawsuit, potentially spanning several jurisdictions, represents the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes conflict, one that could redefine how football’s financial and governance models operate.

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• AFP
  

  A battle for football’s future

  Madrid’s €4.5 billion claim is more than just about money, it’s about principle and power. The club argues that UEFA’s dominance has limited clubs’ freedom to innovate, expand revenues, and shape their own futures. The damages sought include compensation for the loss of commercial opportunities, broadcasting rights, and brand damage caused by UEFA’s actions since 2021.

  Meanwhile, UEFA has vowed to fight back, insisting that the recent court rulings do not validate the Super League concept. In a statement, the organisation emphasised that its “current authorization rules, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024, remain fully in force.” UEFA is exploring fresh appeals while attempting to reinforce its governance model through the ECA.

  If the lawsuit succeeds, it could open the floodgates for other clubs and entities to file similar claims, potentially costing UEFA billions more and weakening its control over European competitions.

تقام مباراة منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا ضد فنزويلا، اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين المقامة حاليًا في قطر.

ويلعب منتخب مصر مع فنزويلا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية من عمر مباريات المجموعة الخامسة لبطولة كأس العالم للناشئين.

وافتتح منتخب مصر مشواره في بطولة كأس العالم، يوم الثلاثاء الماضي أمام منتخب هايتي، وحقق الفوز بنتيجة 4-1.

طالع | موعد مباراة مصر وفنزويلا اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

منتخب مصر يتواجد في المجموعة الخامسة من بطولة كأس العالم بجانب منتخبات فنزويلا وهايتي وإنجلترا.

ويتصدر منتخب مصر، ترتيب المجموعة من بطولة كأس العالم، برصيد 3 نقاط، يأتي منتخب فنزويلا في الوصافة بنفس عدد النقاط، يأتي منتخبا إنجلترا وهايتي في المركزين الثالث والرابع بدون نقاط. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وفنزويلا اليوم في كأس العالم للناشئين

تنقل مباراة مصر وفنزويلا، عبر قناة “بي إن سبورت” المفتوحة على النايل سات وقناة الكأس 3. معلق مباراة مصر وفنزويلا اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

قناة بي إن سبورت – محمد فوزي.

قناة الكأس – أحمد الطيب.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Polícia Civil de São Paulo investiga a morte de um torcedor são-paulino que aconteceu próxima a um local de confronto com a PM, depois do título da Copa do Brasil, no Morumbi. O homem de 32 anos chegou a ser levado para o hospital, mas não resistiu aos ferimentos. Após ser registrado pela Drade (Delegacia de Repressão dos Delitos de Intolerância Esportiva), o caso será conduzido pelo DHPP (Delegacia de Homicídios e Proteção à Pessoa).

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+ Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

Segundo nota oficial da Secretaria de Segurança Pública de São Paulo, Rafael Garcia foi encontrado ferido por policiais que haviam acabado de controlar um tumulto nos arredores do Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que Pet, Dante e outros craques da bola participaram também. Cupom: LANCE400

O torcedor tricolor estava com um ferimento na região da cabeça e foi socorrido por um ambulância do próprio Morumbi e levado ao Pronto Socorro Campo Limpo, mas não resistiu e acabou falecendo.

Não há confirmação da causa da morte, pois ainda serão feitos os exames necroscópicos. A relação do ocorrido com o confronto com a PM também não foi confirmado, mas as investigações já estão acontecendo sob o comando do DHPP (Delegacia de Homicídios e Proteção à Pessoa).

+ São Paulo empata com o Flamengo no Morumbi e é campeão da Copa do Brasil pela primeira vez

Após o título do São Paulo, batendo o Flamengo na final da Copa do Brasil, muitos torcedores permaneceram nos arredores do Morumbi para comemorar o feito do clube. A fim de dispersar as pessoas, a PM acabou entrando em alguns confrontos, e utilizou de bombas e gás de pimenta para isso. Para o jogo, foi montada uma barreira para organizar um perímetro na região do estádio, na qual somente passariam credenciados ou portadores de ingresso.

+ Público no Morumbi prova que São Paulo tem a torcida que conduz

Confira a nota oficial da Secretaria de Segurança Pública de São Paulo:

“A Polícia Civil investiga a morte de um homem de 32 anos ocorrida na tarde deste domingo (24), no bairro Morumbi, região sul da capital. Policiais militares continham um tumulto após o fim da partida no Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo, e após controlarem os torcedores encontraram a vítima caída com um ferimento na cabeça. Ela foi socorrida ao Pronto Socorro Campo Limpo, mas não resistiu. Foi requisitado exames necroscópicos ao IML. O caso foi registrado como promover tumulto e homicídio na Delegacia de Polícia de Repressão aos Delitos de Intolerância Esportiva – DRADE. As investigações seguem pelo DHPP que atua para esclarecer todas as circunstâncias relativas aos fatos”.

There’s nothing better than a full day of Sunday baseball, and I have a pair of bets – on some road teams – to consider on June 16.

We’re starting in New York with the San Diego Padres taking on the New York Mets, but I’m also fading one of the better teams in baseball today based on a key difference in the starting pitching matchup. 

Let’s dive into this MLB slate and how to back these squads.

MLB Best Bets Today for Sunday, June 16

• San Diego Padres Moneyline (-130) vs. New York Mets
• Tampa Bay Rays Moneyline (-102) vs. Atlanta Braves

San Diego Padres Moneyline (-130) vs. New York Mets

Dylan Cease is on the mound for the Padres on Sunday, and he’s been solid for San Diego this season, posting a 3.36 ERA, a 3.02 Fielding Independent Pitching and leading the Padres to a 8-6 record in his 14 starts. 

The Padres are looking to salvage a game against the New York Mets, who have won four in a row, on Sunday.

Tylor Megill (1-3, 3.51 ERA) is on the mound for New York, and I’m looking to fade him and the Mets since New York is just 1-4 straight up in his five outings. 

Megill has given up eight runs and 12 hits in just 9.2 innings of work this month, most recently losing to the Miami Marlins. 

Even with the struggles the Padres have had in 2024, I think Cease is a little undervalued at this number – even on the road. 

Tampa Bay Rays Moneyline (-102) vs. Atlanta Braves

I'm fading Atlanta Braves rookie Hurston Waldrep in this one, as he was rocked in his season debut, allowing seven runs in 3.2 innings in a loss to the Washington Nationals.

The Braves are still favored – but they haven’t been nearly as dominant as we may have expected coming into this season, and Ronald Acuna Jr. is done for the year. 

Meanwhile, Zach Eflin (3.61 Fielding Independent Pitching) gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and they've been solid in his outings, going 7-5 straight up.

Waldrep certainly could have a bounce-back outing, but Eflin is the much more proven starter entering this matchup as an underdog. 

I expect Tampa Bay to get off to a strong start on Sunday.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is now under mounting pressure, with two of his key players’ frustrations reaching boiling point.

Emery under pressure after very poor start

Having reached Europe in consecutive seasons, Villa were expected to be challenging near the top of the Premier League table once again, but they have fallen way below their usual standards, failing to win any of their opening five games.

Perhaps most concerningly, Emery’s side are the lowest scorers in the top flight, having found the back of the net just once, which came through defender Matty Cash, in the disappointing 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend.

Troy Deeney has since slammed Ollie Watkins for the start the striker has made to the season, saying: “At the moment in time, he just looks off it, he looks comfortable.”

To add to Emery’s woes, it appears as though all is not well behind the scenes, with Monchi leaving his role as sporting director, and it has since been revealed that Roberto Olabe, formerly of Real Sociedad, is set to replace the 57-year-old.

Monchi’s departure is not the only issue at hand either, with a report from Aston Villa News recently revealing that Emery is under mounting pressure, given that four key first-team players are now unhappy with the manager.

Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Martinez, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins have all lost faith in the 53-year-old, following Villa only being able to collect three points from their opening five Premier League games.

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Sean Markus Clifford

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Frustrations have reached boiling point for two players in particular, namely Martinez and Watkins, with the latter’s reservations about Emery stemming from the decision to drop him for both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Martinez, on the other hand, was keen to leave in the summer, pushing for a deadline day move to Manchester United, which has caused tension, and the two first-team stars’ frustrations have now ‘come to a head’.

Emery deserves more time at Aston Villa

It has been far from an ideal start for Villa this season, but the manager definitely still has plenty of credit in the bank, given that he led them to Europe two seasons on the spin, transforming the club after taking over when they were just three points clear of the drop.

That’s not to say the former Arsenal boss is faultless, with Shay Given recently questioning the manager’s decision to publicly brand his players as “lazy”.

However, even the best managers go through bad patches, with Pep Guardiola’s previously all-conquering Manchester City side going on a run of just one win in eight Premier League games last season.

City have since managed to get back on track, securing a Champions League place last season, and Emery should also be given the opportunity to turn things around.

The New York Red Bulls parted ways with coach Sandro Schwarz following a disappointing season, the club announced on Monday. The Red Bulls failed to make the postseason for the first time in 15 years after reaching the MLS Cup final in 2024. The club promoted former Canada star Julian de Guzman to head of sport.

New York Red BullsLeadership transition

The changes come in a leadership overhaul by the Red Bulls. In addition to Schwarz's exit, the club also announced Jochen Schneider, current head of sport, has decided to return to Europe and that de Guzman's promotion was part of a succession plan.

Schwarz's departure comes after a strong first season at the club. Although there were struggles at times last year, the club went on an incredible run to reach the playoffs. The Red Bulls upset the Columbus Crew, NYCFC and Orlando City SC – all higher seeds. After narrowly losing the MLS Cup to the LA Galaxy, the team was expected to contend this season. 

They brought in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to solve long-term issues at striker. Despite the Cameroon international notching 17 goals and five assists in his inaugural MLS campaign, the team struggled to find consistency throughout the year. With their season hanging in the balance, Red Bulls head of global soccer Jurgen Klopp visited the team ahead of its derby match against NYCFC – which the Red Bulls lost 3-2.

"I would like to thank Sandro for the last two seasons, especially coaching this team during a memorable 2024 playoff run. His dedication to the job was outstanding, and I truly wish him nothing but the best in his future coaching endeavors," Schneider said in a statement. 

The club will now search for a new coach, with de Guzman expected to lead the process.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Perfect person to take the helm'

Schneider leaves the Red Bulls after spending three years with the club. He was instrumental in bringing in star additions Emil Forsberg and Choupo-Moting. He also played a role in prioritizing the youth movement at the club, with 12 academy players on the first team roster. 

Scheider served as a mentor to de Guzman, who has held the GM role for the Red Bulls II team since 2024. 

"It has been an incredible privilege and honor to lead this extraordinary organization and work alongside such talented individuals,” said Schneider. “Over the past few years, I've poured my heart into this club, and I am immensely proud of what we've accomplished together. Mentoring Julian has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here, and I have no doubt that he is the perfect person to take the helm and lead the Red Bulls into their next chapter.

"While I will deeply miss this club, my family must come first, and I need to be with them. That said, I will always remain close to Julian and the Red Bulls, and I look forward to seeing the team’s continued success.” 

New York Red Bulls President Marc de Grandpere thanked Schneider for his contributions. 

"We are deeply grateful for all that Jochen has brought to our organization during his time here,” said de Grandpré. “Jochen’s expertise and leadership were instrumental in assembling a team that has competed at the highest level. While we are saddened to see him depart, he will always be part of the family. We fully respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best in the days and months ahead."

Getty Images SportCanadian trailblazer

De Guzman's ascension from sporting director to head of sport continues his career as a trailblazer in Canadian soccer. He was the first player from the country to play in Spain's La Liga, with Deportivo. He also starred for Toronto FC in MLS. He had 89 caps for the Reds. 

He oversaw a Red Bulls II side that has reached the Eastern Conference final. He also founded Simcoe Rovers County FC, who compete in League 1 Ontario.

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Getty Images SportA name to keep an eye on?

Former New York Cosmos and Portland Timbers boss Gio Savarese could emerge as an option for the Red Bulls. The manager is said to be interested in the job, according to The Athletic.