Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the departure of Head Coach Ange Postecoglou, despite his recent UEFA Europa League victory with the club. The decision follows an internal performance review and what the club described as “significant reflection.” Postecoglou, who joined from Celtic in the summer of 2023, exits after two seasons at the helm. His tenure was noted for reviving Spurs’ signature attacking style and was highlighted by last month’s historic Europa League triumph in Bilbao—the club’s first European trophy since winning the UEFA Cup in 1984. “Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw,” the club said in a statement. “This achievement will live with us all forever.” Despite that success, the club’s domestic form was a growing concern. After a promising start to the 2023/24 Premier League season, Spurs managed just 78 points from their last 66 league games—culminating in what the club described as their “worst-ever Premier League finish.” “At times there were extenuating circumstances—in particular injuries and the decision to prioritise our European campaign,” the statement continued. “Whilst winning the Europa League ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.” The Board unanimously agreed that a change was needed to “compete on multiple fronts” and “give us the best chance of success going forward.” “This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make,” the statement added. “It is not one we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude.” The club thanked Postecoglou for laying a solid foundation with its young squad, acknowledging his impact and wishing him the best for the future. “He will always be welcome back at our home,” it said. No replacement has been named, but the club confirmed that news on the appointment of a new head coach will be announced in due course.

Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday by securing spots at their first-ever FIFA World Cup, joining regular qualifiers South Korea at next year’s expanded tournament. Uzbekistan earned a goalless draw against the UAE in Abu Dhabi, enough to clinch the second automatic qualification place in Group A. Group leaders Iran, who had already qualified, slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Qatar in Doha, leaving Uzbekistan just two points behind with one game remaining. The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups qualify directly for the World Cup. Teams finishing third and fourth — currently the UAE and Qatar in Group A — will advance to a fourth round of qualifiers. In Group B, South Korea secured their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Second-half goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu sealed the victory and saw South Korea leapfrog Jordan to reclaim top spot. Earlier, Jordan’s 3-0 triumph over Oman proved sufficient to confirm their place at the 48-team tournament set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Jordan’s King Abdullah II congratulated the national team via social media. “This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud,” he wrote on X. “Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.” Ali Olwin netted a hat-trick as the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up etched their name in the record books. Iraq were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Ali Al Hamadi’s foul on Cho Yu-min was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review. Group B Still Open; Australia and Saudi Arabia Set for Decisive Showdown In Group B, Iraq sit third, while Oman and Palestine remain in contention for a place in the fourth round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. Palestine boosted their hopes with a 2-0 victory over Kuwait in Ardhiya and will host Oman on Tuesday in a key clash. Meanwhile, Iraq will take on Jordan in Amman. Australia Edge Closer to Qualification In Group C, the battle for the second automatic qualification spot will be decided on Tuesday when Australia face Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos remain in control after a dramatic last-minute 1-0 win over group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich emerged as the hero, firing home a 90th-minute strike in front of more than 57,000 fans. “We still have room to grow and improve, but tonight we achieved something special,” said head coach Tony Popovic, who admitted his side had struggled for large spells against a much-changed Japanese lineup. Saudi Arabia kept the pressure on with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Riffa, courtesy of goals from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud. The result keeps them three points behind Australia, but they would need to defeat the Socceroos by five goals in Jeddah to leapfrog them into second place. Popovic, who succeeded Graham Arnold as manager in September, added, “Everyone’s contributed to getting us here. Now, we want to go to Saudi Arabia and finish the job.” Indonesia Keep Dream Alive Elsewhere in Group C, Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia maintained their hopes of qualifying for a first-ever World Cup since independence with a 1-0 win over China. Ole Romeny’s penalty, awarded after a VAR review just before halftime, was enough to seal the win and eliminate China from contention. Indonesia now sit fourth, just one point behind Saudi Arabia, heading into the final round of fixtures.

Arsenal have announced the departure of 20 players who will leave the Emirates Stadium this summer after their contracts expire on June 30. The departing players come from the men’s senior team, under-21s, under-18s, and the women’s squad. These exits are part of the club’s routine end-of-season review and involve individuals who have featured for Arsenal at different levels. Full List of Departing Players. Nathan Butler-Oyedeji Reece Clairmont Khayon Edwards Jakai Fisher Romari Forde Teyah Goldie Jimi Gower Jack Henry-Francis Lina Hurtig Amanda Ilestedt Jorginho Max Kuczynski Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand Ismail Oulad M’Hand Neto Brian Okonkwo Elian Quesada-Thorn Zacariah Shuaib Raheem Sterling Kieran Tierney While many of the exits from the women’s team had been previously confirmed, this update provides a full overview of all players moving on. Arsenal noted that the contracts of Chloe Kelly, Thomas Partey, and Michal Rosiak are due to expire in June 2025. However, the club revealed that discussions are ongoing with these players, and further updates will be provided once decisions have been finalised.

The UK government is threatening legal action against former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich over the frozen £2.5 billion proceeds from his sale of the football club. Abramovich had previously stated his intention to donate the funds to victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine. He was sanctioned by the UK in 2022 as part of a broader crackdown on Russian oligarchs following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. This resulted in the swift sale of the Premier League club and the freezing of the sale proceeds. The UK now insists the money must be used exclusively in Ukraine, aligning with a broader European effort to make Russia bear the costs of the war’s devastation. However, Abramovich is pushing for more flexibility, seeking to direct the funds to all victims of the conflict, not just those in Ukraine. In a joint statement, British finance minister, Rachel Reeves and foreign minister, David Lammy said on Tuesday: “The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. “We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far. They added that the door for negotiations would remain open, but that they were “fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”

Jadon Sancho will depart Chelsea on June 30 when his loan from Manchester United officially concludes, after the two parties failed to agree on personal terms for a permanent move. The 25-year-old winger joined Chelsea last summer on loan, with a conditional obligation to buy for up to £25 million. However, the clause depended on Sancho agreeing to personal terms with the club—an agreement that ultimately wasn’t reached. According to The Athletic, Chelsea will now face a £5 million penalty for not activating the purchase clause, leaving Sancho free to explore other opportunities in England and across Europe. During his time at Chelsea, Sancho made 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and delivering ten assists. One of his standout moments came in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, where he found the net to help Chelsea complete their set of UEFA club trophies. Sancho has played 83 times for Manchester United since his £85 million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Prior to his Bundesliga breakthrough, he developed in the youth academies of Watford and Manchester City before making the switch to Dortmund in 2017.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal, choosing to remain with his current team. This was revealed by Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on X on Tuesday. According to Romano, Fernandes declined the club’s substantial contract proposal. “Despite crazy contract proposal from the Saudi Pro League club, Bruno Fernandes wants to continue playing football in Europe. “Man United Captain wants to play at top level in Europe. Decision made,” he wrote.

Chelsea are bracing for a transformative summer as newly appointed head coach Enzo Maresca prepares to oversee a sweeping overhaul that could see as many as 14 first-team players depart Stamford Bridge. Fresh from a fourth-place Premier League finish and a Europa Conference League triumph, the Blues are back in the Champions League and poised to back Maresca in the transfer market. However, significant squad space must be cleared first. According to *The Guardian*, the club has placed a substantial number of players on the market in a bid to reshape the team in line with Maresca’s vision. One surprising name on the potential exit list is Noni Madueke. Despite netting 11 goals this season and earning his England debut, the winger is reportedly seen as having plateaued in his development. João Félix, who sealed a £45 million permanent move last year after a promising loan stint, spent the second half of the campaign at AC Milan and is now expected to leave on a full transfer. Both senior goalkeepers — Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrović — have also been made available, indicating a possible revamp in the goalkeeping department. The defensive line could also be reshuffled, with Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, and Trevoh Chalobah all linked with possible exits. Chalobah, notably, came close to a move last summer and remains uncertain about his future. In midfield, Maresca is reportedly open to selling Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Lesley Ugochukwu. Dewsbury-Hall, who followed Maresca from Leicester City, has struggled to secure a consistent starting role. Full List: Christopher Nkunku Joao Felix Noni Madueke Robert Sanchez Djordje Petrovic Renato Veiga Ben Chilwell Axel Disasi Wesley Fofana Trevoh Chalobah Dewsbury-Hall Carney Chukwuemeka Lesley Ugochukwu Raheem Sterling

Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are set to clash in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final, with the French side aiming to lift the trophy for the first time and the Italians targeting their fourth European crown. The highly anticipated final kicks off at 9:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) at Bayern Munich’s 75,000-seat Allianz Arena. It promises a thrilling encounter between a battle-hardened Inter side and a PSG team reaching only their second final since the club’s Qatari takeover in 2011. With defending champions Real Madrid out of the picture, the winner will ascend to the top of European club football. Back in Paris, anticipation is sky-high. Around 40,000 fans are expected to gather at Parc des Princes to watch the match on giant screens, while a major police operation is underway across the city. The final represents more than a title decider — it’s a clash of philosophies: a storied traditional powerhouse versus a modern, state-backed footballing project. Despite massive investment over the years, PSG are still chasing their maiden Champions League title. Their best run came in 2020, when they lost a closed-door final in Lisbon to Bayern Munich, even with the star power of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. The arrival of Lionel Messi didn’t change their fortunes, and ironically, it’s the season after Mbappe’s departure that the Parisians have mounted their most convincing campaign. **‘A chance to make history’** “There have been highs and lows, but now we have a glorious chance to do something historic,” said PSG captain Marquinhos. Under Luis Enrique, the French champions have dazzled in Europe, most notably with a comeback victory over defending champions Manchester City in January. Since then, PSG have eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, completing a clean sweep of English clubs en route to the final. They’ve also secured a domestic double. Ousmane Dembele has led the charge with 33 goals, supported by emerging talents like Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, and January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Defenders like Achraf Hakimi — a former Inter player — and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma have also been key. “My biggest motivation is to create history for Paris and give the fans something unforgettable,” said Luis Enrique, who aims to win his second Champions League title, a decade after guiding Barcelona to glory. A win would make PSG only the second French club to win the competition, following Marseille’s 1993 triumph — also in Munich, against Inter’s city rivals AC Milan. **Inter’s battle-tested edge** Inter Milan were the last Italian side to win the Champions League, defeating Bayern in the 2010 final under José Mourinho. They previously claimed back-to-back titles in the 1960s. Head coach Simone Inzaghi — who led the Nerazzurri to the 2023 final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City — returns with a seasoned squad. As many as eight players from that Istanbul starting XI are expected to feature again, including several veterans aged 36 or older. This campaign, Inter knocked out Bayern in the quarter-finals and edged past Barcelona in a dramatic semi-final. They’ll line up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation, spearheaded by Argentine forward and captain Lautaro Martinez — a sharp tactical contrast to PSG’s fluid 4-3-3.

Liverpool FC have confirmed the signing of Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. The 24-year-old right-back finalised his move to Anfield on Friday after successfully completing a medical and putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at the AXA Training Centre. In his first interview with the club, Frimpong shared his excitement about becoming a Red. He said, “It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer. “For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’, [speaking to] my agents: ‘Just get this done.’ “Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together,” he added. “I’m just excited to be here. “Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want.” Frimpong joins Liverpool after four-and-a-half seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, during which he made 190 appearances, scoring 30 goals and providing 44 assists. He was instrumental in the club’s historic 2023-24 campaign that saw them win both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, going unbeaten in domestic competitions and setting a record 51-match unbeaten run that ended in the Europa League final.

Real Madrid have completed the signing of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a contract running until 2031, the Spanish club confirmed on Friday. The 26-year-old England international was nearing the end of his contract at Anfield, but Madrid opted to pay a transfer fee to bring him in early, allowing him to feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold, a Liverpool academy graduate, recently helped his boyhood club win the Premier League title. He previously lifted the Champions League trophy in 2019 and won the league title in 2020, making 352 appearances in total for the Reds. His move reunites him with former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, who has taken over as Real Madrid manager following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. The transfer has stirred mixed reactions among Liverpool fans. His decision to leave prompted boos during the penultimate match of the season, though the atmosphere shifted after influential voices like Mohamed Salah and former manager Jürgen Klopp urged supporters to honour Alexander-Arnold’s contributions. He received a warm ovation when he lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield last Sunday. Alexander-Arnold joins a Madrid squad that ended the season without major silverware. The team has faced persistent issues at right-back, with Dani Carvajal sidelined by a knee injury and winger Lucas Vázquez struggling when deployed out of position in defence. Despite some criticism of his defensive consistency, Alexander-Arnold is lauded for his vision, passing, and attacking threat on the right flank. He is expected to debut for Real Madrid on June 18 against Al-Hilal in Miami at the Club World Cup. In a further move to reinforce their defence, Real Madrid have also signed Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth after an injury-plagued season at the back.