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Antoine Griezmann created history for Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League during their 5-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt. After the game, head coach Diego Simeone was delighted with his performance and reserved special praise for the former France international. The Argentine expressed his gratitude to Griezmann and said that "talent has no age."

• Griezmann creates history with Atletico Madrid

  Griezmann created further history with Atletico on Tuesday as the "ageless" Frenchman brought up his 200th goal for the Spanish side, becoming the first player in Los Rojiblancos' history to reach the milestone. Simeone spoke highly of Griezmann after his team beat Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday to continue their red-hot winning streak. 

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  Simeone in awe of Griezmann

  "I'm grateful to Antoine and his time at Atletico Madrid," Simeone told reporters after the game. "He's scored 200 goals, which is crazy. I remember when he arrived. He was a short winger on the left, and we invited him to play one-on-one and as an attacking midfielder, and he grew to become a world champion. He's always been a role model for his effort and work, and today he's received the thanks he deserves. We're grateful for everything he has given us and for everything he gives us and will continue to give us, because talent has no age."

• Griezmann's reduced role after renewal

  At the end of last season, there were rumours indicating that Griezmann's time at the Metropolitano was coming to an end. Despite not being an indispensable member of the starting XI, the 34-year-old decided to prolong his stay in the Spanish capital until 2027 after reports that he was leaning towards to a move to MLS side Los Angeles FC. This season, he has only managed 416 minutes in nine games so far. Indeed, Simeone has handed Griezmann a starting berth just four times, twice in the Champions League and as many times in La Liga. 

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  More history on its way to Griezmann?

  It is clear that Griezmann will be used majorly in an impact role off the bench this season, with Simeone placing his bets on the likes of Julian Alvarez, Giacomo Raspadori and Alexander Sorloth in attack. However, the French playmaker will have a chance to create more history with Los Colchoneros this season. Indeed, he is currently seventh of the list of most appearances for Atleti. By the end of the season, he could become just the fourth player in Atleti history to play 500 games for the club, after legend Adelardo and current team-mates Koke and Jan Oblak.

Leeds United were handed a sobering reminder of the reality of the Premier League when Arsenal hammered five past them at The Emirates on Saturday.

Whilst supporters will not have been expecting an easy game, by any means, the 1-0 win over Everton may have provided a bit of cautious optimism heading to North London.

Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were firing at their very best and made the game look a bit too easy at times, with Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber both grabbing two goals, alongside Bukayo Saka’s strike.

There was no single individual player to blame for the result, but Daniel Farke will surely be disappointed with several individual performances across the pitch. Ilia Gruev was given a chance in light of Ethan Ampadu’s injury, for example, but failed to take his opportunity.

Why Ilia Gruev should be dropped

The Bulgarian midfielder was selected ahead of summer signing Sean Longstaff to start at the base of the midfield, but did not look ready for the task at hand.

Gruev played the full 90 minutes in the middle of the park, in a team that was defending for the vast majority of the time, and only won one duel, out of three contested, per Sofascore.

The left-footed lightweight did not offer any, or at least enough, protection in front of Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon to prevent the Arsenal midfield from linking up with the forward line as easily as they did.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

This is why, with the prospect of a physical Newcastle midfield on the horizon, Farke should drop Gruev next weekend. However, he is not the only player whose position in the XI should be in danger, as Joel Piroe must also be ruthlessly ditched.

Why Joel Piroe should be dropped

The Dutch forward, who was handed a 4/10 rating by the Yorkshire Evening Post, does not look up to the physicality of dealing with Premier League central defenders.

In two starts against Everton and Arsenal, Piroe has lost nine of his ten physical duels and has not won a single ground duel, per Sofascore, to go along with one shot on target and zero chances created for his teammates.

With the caveat that he was up against two top-class players, it was too easy for William Saliba and Gabriel to nip in ahead of him to get to balls first, without him even being able to compete for them.

The introduction of Lukas Nmecha, in both matches, has shown Leeds what they need in a centre-forward at that level. He came on in difficult circumstances against Arsenal, but still put himself about and used his frame well to relieve a bit of pressure at times.

As you can see in the table above, Nmecha competed in and won more duels in 33 minutes on the pitch than Piroe managed in almost an hour at The Emirates, as the former Swansea man lost 100% of his duels.

Leeds will be battling against relegation this season and that means that there will be a lot of games where they cannot expect to dominate the ball and have it all their way. As Gary Neville put it in the Sky Sports commentary, the front three that started the game – including Piroe – looked like they needed everything to be perfect for them to perform.

Whereas, Nmecha is a physical forward who can play off scraps and make things happen by causing problems for opposition defenders, which is why he may be a better choice to lead the line against Newcastle after the midweek League Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Therefore, Farke should ruthlessly ditch Gruev and Piroe for the clash with the Magpies to better stand up against the physical battle that they could be faced with.

Better signing than Okafor: Leeds make approach for "incredible" £35m star

Leeds United could be about to strengthen the frontline despite the arrival of Noah Okafor.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 22, 2025

With the transfer windows in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Portugal still open, among others, Arsenal still have a chance to sell players.

Mikel Arteta watched on as Marquinhos, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Nuno Tavares, Kieran Tierney, Jorginho, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Takehiro Tomiyasu departed the club permanently, but most of the aforementioned were for free.

Andrea Berta, meanwhile, agreed loan deals for Oleksandr Zinchenko, Karl Hein, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Jakub Kiwior, with the latter’s exit freeing up space for Arsenal to pull a “masterstroke” by signing Piero Hincapie.

Arsenal’s struggle to sell players for significant fees was well-documented across the summer, with Berta making the club just £9 million from transfer fees, even if certain loan deals like Kiwior’s include an obligation to buy in 2026.

It is a problem that needs to be addressed, as Arsenal’s record sales remain: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool, Folarin Balogun to Monaco and Cesc Fàbregas to Barcelona — who all left for under £40 million.

Winger Leandro Trossard is still out of contract in 2027, so he could be one that Arsenal listen to offers for outside the UK window.

According to a new report from Turkey, Besiktas are handing Arsenal the chance to make some money off his exit before the forward’s deal expires in under 24 months.

Arsenal in talks to sell Leandro Trossard with Bestikas bid made

As per news outlet Sozcu, Sergen Yalçın’s side have made a bid for Trossard, with Berta preparing a response to the offer as both clubs negotiate a potential £19 million transfer.

Arsenal are apparently looking to cash-in on Trossard, despite just agreeing to give him a pay rise, and if Berta does agree to sell the Belgian, then it could perhaps free up space for the Gunners to move for Rodrygo in January.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Rodrygo in the summer, but a move was reportedly dependent on one of Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli leaving, which didn’t happen.

Losing Trossard, a versatile attacking option proven in the top flight, without a January replacement would undoubtedly weaken Arteta’s chances in the title race, even after a summer of serious spending on star new attackers in Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.

Gennaro Gattuso addressed his decision of not selecting young midfielder Samuele Ricci in Italy's squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers, citing his lack of regular playing time at AC Milan as the reason. The Italy head coach, however, urged the 24-year-old to "watch" and learn from the iconic ex-Real Madrid midfielder, who has made an immediate impact since arriving at the San Siro.

• Ricci begins new chapter after signing for Milan

  Ricci made his debut for Italy in 2022, at the age of 20-year-old, while he was still a Torino player. After spending three and a half seasons at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, he was snapped up by Serie A giants Milan for a fee of around €25m (£22m/$29m). While he has started both matches in the Coppa Italia, he has made three substitute appearances in the Italian top-flight – totalling 61 minutes – and remained an unused substitute in the other three games. His lack of playing time led to his exclusion from the Italy squad for the October international break.

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  Gattuso wants Ricci to learn from Modric

  Speaking to reporters this week, Gattuso said: "It's a shame, but nothing is lost. Quite the contrary. Playing time is important; getting minutes under your belt is important. I feel sorry for him because he has a giant like Modric ahead of him, but training with him can do him good. Watching him. He's paying the price for his talent right now; he's not getting much playing time, but nothing is lost for him either. I hope he manages to find his place."

• Modric magic makes Milan tick

  Modric has hit the ground running in the 2025-26 season, with the 40-year-old midfield maestro playing a pivotal role in ensuring Massimiliano Allegri's side made an impressive start to the campaign. He has started all six Serie A games and saw out the full 90 minutes on four of those occasions. 

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  Can Milan continue their purple patch?

  The Rossoneri have a tough run of fixtures over the next few weeks, which will put their credentials as title contenders to the test. After facing Fiorentina on October 19, they will take on Pisa, Atalanta, and Roma in the next three weeks.

Jose Mourinho has admitted that "killer" Newcastle were too strong for Benfica, who could not "compete with their horsepower" during their Champions League mauling on Tuesday evening at St. James' Park. The ‘Special One’ believes Eddie Howe’s men belong to a different league after a 3-0 defeat that left the visitors reeling and without a single point after three matches in Europe.

• Gordon, Barnes, and Murphy led the charge

  Benfica showed flashes of promise in the first half, notably when winger Dodi Lukebakio struck the post, but Mourinho conceded that Newcastle’s pace and physicality simply outgunned his team. The Magpies’ front line was ferocious. Anthony Gordon grabbed the opener, Harvey Barnes came off the bench to score twice, and Jacob Murphy ran riot down the flank, setting up Gordon’s first-half strike with a teasing delivery that split open Benfica’s defence. It was a showcase of pressing, power, and precision.

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  Mourinho lauds Newcastle's wingers

  In his post-match debrief, Mourinho was composed yet candid. He praised his players’ first-half effort but lamented their loss of structure after conceding.

  "This tells me about the level of Newcastle," Mourinho began. "While the score was open, and I think it was even unfairly open, because in the first half the team played well on the pitch, the players felt comfortable in a stadium with a palpable atmosphere.

  "The danger they posed for us was obviously from set pieces and everything indirect in the box, because it's difficult to compete with a team with this physicality, but we had great chances to score, three or four. Before they scored, we had a beautiful shot from Lukebakio that hit the post, so I reiterate that the first-half result doesn't reflect the game at all."

  The 62-year-old drew attention to the physical contrast between the teams and added: "In the second half, we conceded a goal we couldn't afford, a set piece in our favour, where our initial positioning for the transition was correct, but then we made mistakes in our defensive movement. And when we concede that goal, the differences in characteristics between the teams come to the fore.

  "There's a team with a higher horsepower engine than the other, a team with much more intensity, a team with much more speed. As I said yesterday [the day before yesterday], I think in the press conference—if not in the press conference, it was on TV—they have four lightning-fast wingers. They don't have one or two, they have four. And when you change two who come on in the 50th or 60th minute, when you change one and then later change another, we, losing the compact play we had in the first half, were exposed."

  However, Mourinho feels things could have panned out differently if they had taken the lead when Benfica were on top in the first half. 

  "We score a goal before them, we reach half-time leading, we reach half-time tied, we can continue with the same type of organisation," he said. "Then, the second goal, psychologically, kills us. The players felt the second goal deeply, and then the game took a different turn, which was tough for us."

• Gordon’s record-breaking night

  Gordon continues to grow into one of the Premier League’s most complete wingers. His goal against Benfica made him the first Newcastle player in history to score in three consecutive Champions League games. 

  "It means everything, but we need more, my ambition doesn't stop there," he said. "Because we had so many chances, we had to put one away to calm the nerves. I was glad to see it go in. Playing with [Jacob] Murphy, I knew he was going to play that ball every time. That goal is all about him. We all love [Nick] Pope. He is one of the most popular people in the dressing room he is a top guy and a top keeper. He has kept us in so many game already this season and some of the saves he made were incredible."

  Eddie Howe, visibly delighted on the touchline, hailed the performance of his forwards, and especially Gordon's. 

  "Anthony [Gordon] was outstanding. He looked a real threat all game," the Newcastle boss said. "He was dynamic, aggressive and positive. Jacob [Murphy’s] always been an assist threat and he was absolutely that. Some of the deliveries he put in were very good. I’m pleased for Harvey[Barnes] to come on and get the two that he did on the right side which shows his versatility. It’ll do those three players a world of good."

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  A tale of two tables: Champions League joy, domestic frustration

  While Newcastle’s European adventure gathers pace, now seventh in the Champions League league phase, their Premier League campaign tells a more sobering story. The Magpies sit 14th domestically, the lowest position they’ve held under Howe after eight rounds of fixtures. Their next test comes at home against Fulham on Saturday, and Howe's troops will be desperate to get the three points. Meanwhile, Mourinho's Benfica will look to bounce back in a Liga Portugal clash with Arouca on the same day.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has made it clear he is a huge admirer of a former Manchester United star, having named him among his favourite players.

Gerrard names Man United legend among favourite players

There is no love lost between Gerrard and Man United, with the Liverpool legend once making it clear just how much dislike he holds for the club, saying: “For more than 26 years, I’d always felt compelled to show fire towards them. They were the enemy. Their shirt is the only one I won’t allow in my house. I have a big collection of shirts I’ve swapped with other players — but not one from United.”

Given that the ex-Liverpool captain predominantly came up against the Red Devils during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, he won just 10 of the 30 matches he contested against Liverpool’s bitter rivals, facing off against some top players during that time.

The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney all helped United to achieve an at-the-time record-breaking 20 league titles, but the former England international has previously named a different player as among his favourites.

Gerrard picks two most underrated Liverpool teammates, one annoyed Klopp

Do you agree with his choices?

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 13, 2025

Speaking on BT Sport (via The Daily Mail), Gerrard said: “I’ve always been a massive fan of Roy Keane, not Man United. I think for all our generation watching Roy Keane’s consistency levels, how he went about it, I like to get into the box and having someone who would have been able to protect me in there and do some of my dirty work.”

Back in 2015, the Liverpool legend also said: “Roy Keane is one of my favourite players. I really loved playing against him, I have nothing but respect for the guy and as a player but being a Liverpool fan from the day I was born, there is no need for me to have a Manchester United shirt in my house.”

Keane undoubtedly among the best midfielders in Premier League history

The Irishman is well-known for his fiery temper, which often overshadows the fact he was a top player, as underlined by the fact he won the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year Award in 2000, alongside being voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Although the former Ireland international’s relationship with Ferguson went downhill following his controversial Old Trafford exit, the legendary manager has also singled him out for praise in the past, perhaps most notably after the 1999 Champions League semi-final triumph against Juventus.

The Scot said: “Pounding every blade of grass, competing as if would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt as if it were an honour to be associated with this player.”

As such, it should be no surprise that Gerrard holds the fellow central midfielder in very high regard, and Keane’s legendary status has since been recognised, having been inducted into the Premier League hall of fame back in 2021.

The powers that be at West Bromwich Albion would have been very aware that appointing Ryan Mason this summer was an almighty gamble.

After all, away from the odd caretaker game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, the 34-year-old had never been a fully-fledged manager in North London. Rather, he was seen as a highly-regarded coach, attempting to get even more out of an exciting pool of youngsters at the Premier League club.

However, the early signs of his Baggies tenure show that he is cut out for the pressures of a main gig in the Championship, with three victories collected from his four clashes in the tough division sticking out.

Mason should be commended for this largely positive start, even if some defeats have started to pile up in recent games, having had to navigate his new side through a choppy summer in the transfer window.

West Brom's bumpy summer

Indeed, late on into the window, West Brom had to wave goodbye to homegrown favourite Tom Fellows, as a move to Southampton beckoned.

With Fellows tallying up a stunning 14 assists last season in Championship action, it was an obvious knock to the Baggies’ confidence losing their star-man to a second-tier promotion rival, with other notable departures only opening up the West Brom wound even more.

At least West Brom managed to get a considerable £8m out of the Saints to then part ways with their homegrown prodigy, with the second-tier giants unfortunately saying farewell to Semi Ajayi, John Swift, and Grady Diangana for nothing, alongside further seeing the back of Torbjorn Heggem to Bologna.

They have recovered, though, with the signing of Nathaniel Phillips from Liverpool boosting their depleted numbers in the heart of defence, alongside Isaac Price immediately stepping up in the absence of Fellows.

The ex-Everton starlet would chip in with two strikes in West Brom’s early-season victory on the road at Wrexham, with scout Jacek Kulig even going as far as to describe the Northern Ireland international as “outstanding.”

With Mason being well-known for working with some top youngsters at Spurs, there is one rising ace at the Hawthorns who could well fancy their chances now of being the next Price.

The "outstanding" youngster who could be another Price

After all, it appears that the 21-year-old just needed an appropriate platform to express himself, having been previously labelled as “tremendous” by journalist Joe Thomas when he was still just a youngster attempting to cut his teeth on Merseyside.

Despite such glowing praise, Price would never go on to make a first-team appearance for the Toffees, with Harry Whitwell hoping he’s not in danger of being forgotten about in a similar dismissive manner in the current youth set-up in the West Midlands.

Thankfully, he already trumps his midfield counterpart in terms of senior chances, with Whitwell even handed a run-out towards the tail-end of last season in the bread and butter of the Championship.

Having shone on the youth pitches at the Baggies for some time now, on top of being handed more first-team experience this campaign on loan with Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers in non-league, it does feel as if the building blocks are all slowly falling into place for the 19-year-old to be a success under Mason very shortly.

Savage has even gone out of his way to label the teenager as “outstanding” for his early efforts at the New Lawn, with his overall career goal contribution numbers coming in at a weighty 23, further reinforcing the argument that he could be a Price-level talent.

The promotion-chasing Baggies will have to play the long game here, however, with Whitwell out on loan in the National League for the remainder of the season.

But, if the unthinkable were to occur and Price moved on, alongside other damaging sales happening again, the time might finally be right for the Oxford-born youngster to leave his mark.

Value has dropped by £13m: West Brom sold a bigger talent than Isaac Price

West Bromwich Albion sold a bigger talent than Isaac Price when they offloaded this former dud.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 23, 2025

A “perfect choice” to be the next Rangers manager is now one of the contenders to take charge at Ibrox alongside the heavily linked Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard, Rohl and Dyche linked with Ibrox hotseat

Russell Martin was sacked by the Gers on Sunday evening, with the 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership proving to be one underwhelming result too many for the board, leaving them languishing in eighth place in the table.

It was a decision that has been coming for months, with Martin making a poor start to life at Ibrox and never recovering, and it’s now time for the 49ers to nail their successor to the Englishman, with several names already being mentioned.

Former Everton and Burnley boss Sean Dyche is an early contender to come in at Ibrox, as he looks for a fresh challenge after departing the Blues last year, possessing a huge amount of experience.

Meanwhile, a Steven Gerrard reunion also feels possible, having guided them to league title glory in 2020/21, and young German Danny Rohl is appreciated within Ibrox, as he looks for a new club after Sheffield Wednesday.

Rangers eyeing 52 y/o manager who's the "perfect choice"

According to a new claim from Give Me Sport, Kevin Muscat is very much on Rangers’ radar to be their next manager, being seen as a fourth option alongside Dyche, Gerrard and Rohl.

The 52-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port FC, but the Gers may be hoping to lure him back to Ibrox, having played there during his playing career. The obstacle faced by the 49ers is Muscat’s contract in China is believed to be extremely lucrative and tax free, meaning he will have to be seriously tempted by the project on offer at Ibrox to make a move.

Muscat has constantly been named as a potential Rangers manager in recent years, so often being linked with the job when it has become available. In fact, The Rangers Journal believe he has always been the “perfect choice” for the Gers, with the club deciding to hire the likes of Philippe Clement and Martin instead.

Admittedly, Muscat has no European experience in management, which does work against him in terms of knowing the British game well, but if the fans see him as a popular choice, that goes a long way for starters.

He's like Mourinho: 54-year-old manager wants to replace Martin at Rangers

Russell Martin’s job as Rangers manager is no more, so who could be his replacement?

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 6, 2025

Rangers’ board have to be so careful in their decision-making, not wanting to make a third incorrect appointment in a row, but Muscat stands out as a front-runner, and the fact that he knows the club well from his playing days can only be a good thing.

Liverpool have reportedly identified a new centre-back target following the injury of summer signing Giovanni Leoni. The Reds are short of defensive options after the 18-year-old suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, leading to links with Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck. However, another player is said to have come on their radar ahead of the January transfer window.

• Liverpool suffer Leoni blow

  While there was a huge sense of relief that captain Virgil van Dijk signed a new two-year deal with Liverpool earlier this year, Arne Slot's team are not blessed with centre-back options. Ibrahima Konate has yet to sign a new deal, with his current terms set to expire in 2026 amid links with Real Madrid. In mid-August, the Merseyside outfit forked out around £30 million ($41m) on teenage Parma talent Leoni as a potential star of the future. This season would have been about bedding in the youngster and giving him game time here and there, while still being behind Van Dijk and Konate in the pecking order. But just over a month after his Anfield switch, the Italy Under-19 international suffered a serious injury against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, meaning Liverpool were somewhat short defensively. 

  Soon after the injury in late September, Slot told reporters: "He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it's very hard to take the positive side. There's never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that."

  Their inability to sign Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi seemed to be coming back to bite them here. 

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  Liverpool cool Schlotterbeck interest?

  In October, Liverpool were linked with 25-year-old Dortmund talisman Schlotterbeck, with an eye as a possible replacement for Konate, should he leave for pastures new. The 22-time capped German international has impressed in the Bundesliga and his performances is said to have attracted admiring glances from the Premier League and La Liga. But it seems the Reds will not be pursuing the 6ft 3in defender, who is so far reluctant to sign a new deal at the German giants.

  On that topic, he said in October: "BVB will be my first point of contact, and then we'll have to see how the next few months go. It makes a difference whether you're in 11th place in March or playing in the Champions League again. All I can say is: I feel good."

• Liverpool look to Sporting CP star

  According to DaveOCKOP, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande. The report adds that Crystal Palace pursued the 21-year-old for much of the summer as a potential Guehi replacement but with the England international staying put, that chase was put on hold. The Eagles entered 'advanced' negotiations with Sporting over a deal between £40-50m ($53-66m) for the Ivory Coast international but the Reds' interest is not as 'aggressive'. In fact, DaveOCKOP claims Schlotterbeck is more of an 'ideal' option for Slot. 

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  What comes next for Liverpool?

  In the meantime, Liverpool are hoping that Van Dijk and Konate stay fit, although Joe Gomez is a backup option should they be sidelined. Slot's team spent hundreds of millions this summer on big-money signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak but it seems it was a mistake not to strengthen their defence as that part of the field has looked shaky – not helped by an injury to goalkeeper Allison. The defending Premier League champions are already seven points behind table-toppers Arsenal after just 10 games and next up they travel to a rejuvenated Manchester City side at the Etihad on Sunday. If they lose that, and Arsenal win this weekend, they could be kissing their title defence goodbye already.

Patrick Vieira’s turbulent tenure at Genoa has come to an end as the Serie A club announced that the Arsenal legend has left his role as head coach with immediate effect. The decision comes amid a disastrous start to the campaign as Genoa find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Italian top flight and staring down the relegation barrel.

• End of the road for Vieira in Italy

  Vieira’s exit was confirmed on Saturday morning. According to a series of meetings was conducted on Friday night, during which the 49-year-old Frenchman initiated discussions about his future. By dawn, both parties had agreed that his chapter in Genoa was over, less than a year after his arrival. When Vieira took charge in November 2024, Genoa were languishing in 17th place and were in grave danger of dropping out of Serie A. But under his guidance, the team staged a spirited escape by winning eight and drawing nine of their final 26 matches to climb to a respectable 13th. However, that optimism evaporated early this season. They have failed to record a single league victory, with six defeats in their first nine Serie A fixtures, including five losses in their last six outings. Their only brief moments of joy came in the Coppa Italia, where Vieira’s side picked up two wins.

  In an official announcement, Genoa thanked Vieira and his backroom team and said, "Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira is no longer the coach of the First Team. The club wishes to thank the coach and his staff for the seriousness and professionalism demonstrated throughout their work and extends its best wishes for the continuation of their professional careers."    

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  New direction at Genoa: Diego Lopez takes charge of football operations

  Even as Vieira packed his bags, Genoa wasted no time in appointing new figures to provide fresh direction to the club. Diego Lopez, who was formerly the sporting director at RC Lens, has been officially recruited as Genoa’s new Chief of Football. This is an attempt to restructure their sporting hierarchy as the club is desperate for stability. According to reports in Italy, Lopez reportedly met Vieira last night and had agreed to delay any major decisions until next week. Yet by morning, the Frenchman had decided he’d had enough and walked away from the club. 

  Club President Dan Sucu and CEO Andres Bazquez hailed Lopez’s arrival and said, "We trust his prerogative, both human and professional, to give an impulse to the sporting area strategy and to optimise the operative plans, both in the short and the long-term."  

  Lopez, whose career has spanned scouting and technical roles at Monaco, Lille, Bordeaux and Excelsior Mouscron, vowed to honour Genoa’s proud traditions: "I thank the owners and management for their faith in me. It is an honour to work for a club with such great tradition, wonderful fans, and a clear project on which action to take. Sporting ambition and identity must characterise our journey. I trust that I am up to the standards of the expectations of this great Club and wish to salute all those who care about Genoa.”

• Balotelli’s brutal reaction on Vieira's exit

  Mario Balotelli had every reason to celebrate Vieira's exit, as he was frozen out by the Frenchman last season before eventually departing. He made two separate posts on Instagram and wrote, "Karma is a b****. God sees and provides", in his first story.

  He put up another Instagram story, which read: "Now Genoa can finally focus on people who truly love the environment, the fans and the crest, and who deeply believe in the idea and the fact that Genoa deserves to be at the top. 

  "The great work done by Gilardino and Zangrillo has not been lost," he added, tagging former players Alberto Zangrillo and Alberto Gilardino and Vieira as well. "It was just exploited selfishly and badly by those who came after, taking advantage of what they had built with hard work, respect and passion. They exploited the immense work of Gilardino and Zangrillo, their commitment and dedication to these colours, without really understanding their value. Now let’s focus on Genoa and the Genoese! Come on Genoa! Come on guys! I believed in you and I still do.” 

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  Vieira’s career: A rollercoaster of highs and heartbreaks

  Vieira’s legacy as a player remains untouchable. He is a three-time Premier League champion and four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, and a respected figure at clubs such as Inter Milan and Manchester City. But his managerial career has been far less stable. After starting at New York City FC in 2016, he impressed early but struggled to find consistent success back in Europe. His stints at Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and now Genoa have all ended prematurely due to poor results. At Palace, Vieira guided the club to the FA Cup semi-finals but was sacked in 2023 after a 12-game winless streak. Whereas, at Strasbourg, he departed by mutual consent last July after a single season. Now, with his Genoa spell ending similarly, questions are being asked about where the Frenchman goes next, and whether his coaching career can ever live up to the brilliance of his playing days.