🚨 Xavi SACKED, Flick to Barça, Bruno's message, Pep's sympathy for ten Hag, Tchouaméni out of UCL final and more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United and more...
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Today’s top stories:
🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief podcast - Where do Chelsea go from here?
Plus the latest transfer news from Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Man United
AC Milan
AC Milan have confirmed that Stefano Pioli will leave the club at the end of the season.
Milan left wing under threat from Bayern Munich and Al-Hilal [Tuttosport]
Al-Qadsiah
Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nández has signed in as a new player for the Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah FC. Deal agreed until June 2027, three year contract for Nández.
Arsenal
What’s the latest on Emile Smith Rowe’s future? Mikel Arteta loves him as a player but could he leave the club this summer? Charles Watts drills down into the detail with an exclusive update.
Journalist confirms Arsenal interest in £120m rated league-winning player [Fabio Santini]
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AS Roma
Daniele De Rossi, set to formally sign his new contract at AS Roma — it will be valid until June 2027. Three year deal in place for De Rossi, and it will be also official in the next few days.
AS Roma are showing interest in Raoul Bellanova, one of the best right backs in Serie A, after his excellent season at Torino. No talks ongoing yet but interest there for Bellanova who’s also part of Italy’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
Zaniolo mocks Tiago Pinto over Bournemouth appointment [Football Italia]
Aston Villa
Unai Emery wants Ross Barkley at Aston Villa as he’s convinced could be quality addition for his midfield.
Atalanta
Atalanta president Percassi confirms: “We like Charles de Ketelaere, we’re very happy with him and we will continue together.” Atalanta will trigger the buy option from AC Milan.
Atalanta target Birmingham City talent Jordan James [Gazzetta dello Sport]
Atlético Madrid
Álvaro Morata's release clause for this summer will be valid for a fee in excess of €12m. There are possibilities for Morata to leave Atlético this summer, based on strikers domino around Europe.
There are a number of strikers that Atlético Madrid are looking at this summer. Matteo Moretto has the exclusive lowdown on who they are.
Barcelona
Xavi has been sacked. He was directly informed on Friday by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Barcelona statement on Xavi’s sacking: ‘The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, informed Xavi Hernández on Friday afternoon that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season. The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi's assistants, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, present. FC Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world. Xavi Hernández will lead his last game as first team coach this Sunday in Seville. In the coming days, FC Barcelona will inform about the new structure of the first team.’
Hansi Flick becomes new Barcelona head coach, confirmed and here we go! The agreement has been worked on, completed and now approved by his agent Pini Zahavi on a two-year deal. Contract until 2026. Understand Flick will bring two German assistants as part of his staff.
There was an important factor in Hansi Flick being chosen to manage Barcelona. Matteo Moretto’s exclusive lets us know more.
Xavi’s message to Barça fans. “Dear friends, on Sunday my stage on the bench of Barça will end. It's never easy to leave the club of your life, but I'm very proud, after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family. I want to thank the fans for the support and affection, who have always been by my side and have shown me the same love at all times as in my footballing stage. From Sunday I will be one more fan in the stands, either now at the Olympic Stadium or in a few months at the New Camp Nou. Because before I was a player or a coach, I was a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club of my life. I worked with a great group of players and awesome staff. Thanks to all of them we have been achieving the proposed objectives, culminating last year with a League and a Super Cup. This season things haven't gone as we wanted, but we've let it go and helped grow a new generation of young footballers from La Masia that inspire all Barcelona fans. Thank you very much to all. To the fans, the players, the staff, the club employees, the President, the Board of Directors, the sporting directors, the media and everyone with whom I have shared the journey over these two and a half seasons. I wish the best to the club that I carry in my heart. Long live Barça.”
Matteo Moretto also discusses which players Barcelona will now move for in the transfer market.
Despite recent links, Atlético Madrid and Marcos Alonso are not in negotiations as things stand. Marcos will leave Barça as a free agent and is open to a new chapter — but nothing has been agreed with Atléti so far.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are now pushing to advance in talks to sign Serhou Guirassy for next season. BVB, insisting as there are several clubs keen on triggering his release clause at Stuttgart, around €17.5/18m. He’s one of the priority targets for BVB.
Burnley
Vincent Kompany and Bayern are almost there as talks with Burnley over the compensation fee are advancing to the final stages. Staff ready, contract ready.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s owners are at risk of alienating the entire fan base. Si Phillips has a brilliant and exclusive deep dive to find out exactly why that is.
Chelsea goalkeeper Sharman-Lowe signs a new one-year deal with an option for a further season. He’s set to go on loan next season.
Young Nigerian striker Ibrahim Hafiz Umar (18) on the verge of joining Chelsea after a very positive trial with the Academy. Chelsea are closing in on the deal with Ojodu City Academy and will decide whether to loan Hafiz to Strasbourg or sign him for Chelsea.
Crystal Palace
Chelsea and Manchester United are the two clubs pushing for Michael Olise. One to watch in the summer.
England
Legendary Spanish defender, Gerard Pique, has admitted that if Spain don’t win Euro 2024, he’d like to see England lift the trophy [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Girona
Viktor Tsygankov, focused on Girona’s final game and then the Euros with Ukraine after 6 goals and 6 assists this season. Several clubs in the Premier League are monitoring him as a potential summer target. One to watch - it will be up to Girona.
Atlético Madrid’s hopes of signing Girona sensation depend on conditions [Matteo Moretto]
Juventus
Andrea Cambiaso has signed his new deal at Juventus valid until June 2029, it’s all sealed.
Daniele Rugani will also put pen to paper on a new deal valid until June 2026 plus option valid until June 2027, reducing his salary.
Alex Sandro leaves Juventus as a free agent, time to say goodbye today after the final home game. Sandro has already been approached by clubs from Brazil, open to several chances on a free move.
Dusan Vlahovic named among Serie A MVP’s for 2023/24 season [Football Italia]
Liverpool
21-goal Championship wide man on Liverpool radar this summer [90Min]
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Manchester City
Pep Guardiola had a lot of sympathy for his opposite number, Erik ten Hag, ahead of the FA Cup Final [pictures from Hayters]:
Manchester City keen for Pep Guardiola to pen a “significant extension” at the Etihad [Mail Sport]
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag on his future: “INEOS told me that they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild WITH me. This is what they told me directly.”
Erik ten Hag: “INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started. Carrington will get completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.”
Erik ten Hag: “The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy pray. It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between. So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words. All this negativity from these so-called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better. And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year... Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League!”
Erik ten Hag: “Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago. But still they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that. We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied. Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and came 3rd. Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad.”
Manchester United set to sack Erik ten Hag after FA Cup final regardless of the outcome [The Guardian]
Bruno Fernandes: “To all Man Utd fans around the world: I know it has not been easy. I know it has not been to our standard. But we’re on our way to Wembley. Get behind us one more time. Your captain, Bruno.”
Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United fans: “I love to step out at Old Trafford more than anything in the world. I don’t want to LEAVE. This has always been my ultimate dream.”
Charlie McNeill confirms he’s leaving Man United as a free agent.
Chris Sutton believes he knows how Man Utd can beat Man City in the FA Cup final [BBC Sport]
Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle are set to appoint Wayne Rooney as new head coach, deal done. Three year contract for Rooney to be signed over the weekend.
Rangers
Official, confirmed. Jefté joins Rangers, deal sealed and completed.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti: “Toni Kroos has made his decision to leave at the top, we spoke but he decided to retire. Toni has balls, we have to respect that.”
Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss the Champions League final due to injury, confirms Carlo Ancelotti. “He’s working to recover for the Euros.”
Paris Saint-Germain turn up the heat on Real Madrid [Diario AS]
Sevilla
Sevilla manager Quique Sánchez: “I shouldn’t say this… but how badly Barcelona treats its legends. What a bad streak. It’s probably a bad streak, but what a bad streak. What a bad streak. With Koeman, with Messi, with Xavi now, how bad. I wish clubs treated their legends well, fantastically well. That would be fantastic. That is a legacy of connection from the managers to the fans. This connects a lot. Treating legends well.”
Sevilla managerial target confirms exit from club [Football Espana]
The Debrief Podcast
The Mauricio Pochettino era is over at Chelsea. So where does the club go from here? Angus Scott and Ben Jacobs — an expert on all things Chelsea — break down the reasons for the departure and what a “blueprint'“ could be for this summer and beyond. As ever, Fabrizio Romano answers your questions on a variety of topics. Want to hear your question answered on the podcast? Make sure to subscribe to The Debrief and send your queries.
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Seems Lewandowski will benefit from Flick as coach.
Flick knew exactly how to use Lewandowski in his team, they won Champions League together and Lees scored like over 50 goals that season (had a lot of goals in Champions League too).
First season in Barca, Lewa had great passers, second season wingers were super selfish. First season - won La Liga and goal scorer. Second - with selfish wingers worse season.
Flick will see that, he is pragmatic and have clean slate to implement whatever he wants. He can’t bench Lewa, he will play to the striker’s strengths.