LONDON — You wonder what went through Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s head as the half-time whistle blew at Wembley on Saturday night. His team, the heavy favorites and finalists in six of the past 10 years (and winners each time), could well have been two or three goals down against Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga’s perpetual underachievers. It was up to him to fix it. We don’t know what he…
FIFA’s new pay regulations to support female players and coaches through pregnancy, adoption and maternity leave are a big step for women who have struggled to juggle children and career, former United States women’s coach Jill Ellis has said. The regulations — which were approved unanimously by the FIFA Council earlier this month — include the minimum 14 weeks paid maternity leave for players being extended to coaches, while players…
Monaco’s Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four matches, the French football league (LFP) said on Thursday, after an LGBTQ+ support logo on the Mali international’s shirt was covered up during a Ligue 1 match. The badge on Camara’s shirt was covered with white tape in Monaco’s last league match of the season on May 19, in which he netted a penalty in their 4-0 home win against Nantes. “After…
Ghana international winger Osman Bukari will join Austin FC in a transfer from Red Star Belgrade, the Major League Soccer team announced Thursday. Bukari, 25, joins Austin on a 3 1/2-year guaranteed contract as one of the team’s Designated Player signings, with an option for 2028. The move comes a week after Austin waived Designated Player Emiliano Rigoni and bought out the remainder of the Argentine’s guaranteed contract of more…
DORTMUND, Germany — Jadon Sancho was a man alone during a miserable autumn in Manchester. Ostracised by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and forced to train, eat and change away from his teammates, sometimes taking his lunch break in his car, the €85 million signing was left wondering where his once-glittering career was headed. Six months later, he is 90 minutes away from winning the UEFA Champions League with…
Bayern Munich have appointed Vincent Kompany as the club’s new manager after negotiating his departure from Burnley, the clubs have announced. ESPN reported on Saturday that Bayern agreed a £10 million deal ($12.7m) for Kompany, who will replace Thomas Tuchel at the Bundesliga giants despite being unable to prevent Burnley from being relegated from the Premier League this season. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) The move…
Barcelona have announced the appointment of former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick as the club’s new manager on a two-year contract. Flick, 59, replaces Xavi Hernández, who managed his final game with the club on Sunday, a 2-1 LaLiga victory against Sevilla, after being sacked last week. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “It is a big honour and a dream to sign the contract with…
LaLiga side Girona, whose majority owners are the City Football Group [CFG], have announced a new three-year sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time ever this season. Etihad Airways will replace Gosbi, a Catalan pet store, on the front of Girona’s shirts from the start of the 2024-25 campaign. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The Abu Dhabi-based airline is…
NEW YORK — Emma Hayes smiled and laughed as she fielded questions at the head of a long conference table in a corner room three stories above bustling Madison Avenue. She wore a small U.S. Soccer pin on the left side of her light brown blazer as the only visual clue of her new role as U.S. women’s national team head coach. This is the job she had dreamed of…
Unai Emery has signed a five-year contract extension which will keep him at Aston Villa until 2029, the club confirmed on Monday. Under Emery’s leadership, Villa finished fourth this past season in the the Premier League and clinched Champions League football for the first time since the 1982-83 season — and for the first time ever since the competition was rebranded from the European Cup. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga,…