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Inside the world of sporting directors: What do they do? And what makes a good one?

The Athletic interviewed several sporting directors and collaborated with an analytics company to get a better understanding of what they do..

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 04:14:05 GMT

Arsenal's signings from Chelsea ranked: From Havertz to Willian via Gallas and David Luiz

Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the latest to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates - their predecessors have been a mixed bag.....

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 04:09:07 GMT

Breaking down Ann-Katrin Berger save of the Euros, sending Germany to semi-finals

Berger is unflappable in goal for Germany..

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:26:45 GMT

Barcelona advancing with move for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford

The idea has been agreed to by United and although it is not yet a done deal, talks between all parties are now at the final stages...

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 12:42:42 GMT

Harry Kane, an unusual sponsorship and what it tells us about the business of sport

The England captain's partnership with a relatively unknown brand is indicative of how sports stars' commercial priorities are changing..

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 04:10:42 GMT

How Olivia Smith became a £1m player: 'You didn't have to be a soccer person to understand'

Former coaches and scouts of Smith reflect on her undeniable and irrepressible talent growing up, and why a big move was never in doubt..

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 04:05:55 GMT

Inside Noni Madueke's transfer to Arsenal: Arteta's presentation, Chelsea's data, Berta's new dynamic

From Arteta's call with Madueke and his father to the role of agent Ali Barat and sporting director Berta, here's how the deal was done..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:10:34 GMT

USMNT defender George Campbell leaves CF Montreal for West Brom

The 24-year-old centre-back moves to England from Major League Soccer for an undisclosed fee...

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:56:12 GMT

Wrexham confirm club-record deal for left-back Liberato Cacace

The signing of the 24-year-old represents a significant broadening in Wrexham’s recruitment...

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:01:40 GMT

Pellegrino Matarazzo on the USMNT, Chelsea and a coaching return: 'I'm ready for the next step'

The former Hoffenheim coach addresses national team progress under Pochettino, the Club World Cup and his own unfinished business in Europe..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:00:42 GMT

The Athletic’s Friday football quiz question #64

Can you answer the weekly poser plucked from deep inside The Athletic's trivia vaults?..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:00:34 GMT

What now for Saudi sides? Plus: Man Utd's new Mbeumo bid, England penalty drama and more

Today in TAFC: How will Saudi sides capitalise on Club World Cup? Plus: Sweden 'keeper at centre of penalty drama, Snoop Dogg joins Swansea..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:32:14 GMT

Revealed: Man Utd's Mbeumo bid during execs' Iceland summit, Ratcliffe’s fishing trip, ‘bomb squad’ fears

Club's Scandinavian meeting may be strangely timed but it did not stop transfer plans being pushed through..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 06:45:01 GMT

Yacht trips, equity, Apple TV income and sunbeds: How clubs convince players to sign for them

It’s not just about a few quid and a nice car anymore – there can be plenty of other options offered to a transfer target..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 04:15:26 GMT

Saudi Pro League courting overseas investment in bid to compete with the best

How does the Gulf State ensure its teams continue to improve and compete with European sides, as Al Hilal just did in the Club World Cup?..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 04:05:07 GMT

Chelsea's positional fluidity stifled PSG, providing Maresca with a blueprint for next season

The head coach's masterful game plan left the European champions floundering — something that does not happen very often..

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 04:04:58 GMT

Sverre Nypan to Manchester City: Everything you need to know

Pep Guardiola and City have won the race for Rosenborg's 18-year-old midfielder – here, we break down the deal..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:32:53 GMT

Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner of Welsh soccer club Swansea City

The Welsh club confirmed the 53-year-old rapper's investment on Thursday...

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:25:42 GMT

Manchester United fans top football-related arrests for 2024-25

The overall figure for football-related arrests, meanwhile, decreased by 11 per cent compared to the 2023-24 season...

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:34:01 GMT

Inside Olivia Smith's £1m Arsenal transfer: A fee meant to be secret and a 'lone wolf's' bidding war

The young Canadian forward joins the 2024-25 Champions League winners for a milestone sum nobody was supposed to know..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:53:50 GMT

Shelbourne, Linfield and a tale of two Irish champions in the Champions League

The best teams north and south of the Irish border met in the first qualifying round - a draw that had provoked some anxiety..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:00:58 GMT

Olivia Smith - first £1m women's player; Liverpool's Ekitike talks; transfer 'saga' stages

Today in TAFC: What Smith's move means for the women's game, Liverpool's Ekitike approach, and the language of a football transfer 'saga'..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:31:21 GMT

USMNT's most expensive transfers, and how Tillman, Johnny fit a recent trend

The two transfers are among the top five priciest moves made by U.S. internationals ever..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:30 GMT

This Week in Sports Trivia: July 17, 2025

How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz...

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:00:41 GMT

2025 MLS Archive Collection kit reviews and rankings: '90s vibes and orcas

10 MLS clubs get new retro-inspired third kits, whether those clubs existed in the time they're referencing or not..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:00:50 GMT

Football Architects: How Croatia became world football’s great overperformers

Exploring the philosophy that has enabled a small European nation to punch way above their weight..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:13:14 GMT

Chelsea are champions of the world. So what happens next?

The success at the summer tournament in the United States has filled the coffers and raised expectations for the new Premier League campaign..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:12:46 GMT

Force plates, skinfolds and 200 biomarkers: Every test a Premier League player does at start of pre-season

We spoke to Geoff Scott, the former head of medicine at Tottenham Hotspur, to find out exactly what the early days of pre-season involve..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:09:48 GMT

Philipp Lahm: The Club World Cup and what happens next

From squad demands to changing global temperatures, the tournament opened up different thoughts on the future of football..

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:08:14 GMT

Sources: LAFC to sign Canada's Mathieu Choinière

The Canadian international was an MLS All-Star in 2023 and 2024 before departing for Switzerland..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:42:24 GMT

Arsenal sign Canada striker Olivia Smith in world-record £1m deal

The 20-year-old was Liverpool's top scorer last season with seven goals in a campaign where the club finished seventh...

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:46:12 GMT

Lamine Yamal and Barcelona's No 10 shirt: A blessing and a curse he is more than ready for

The iconic shirt worn by Lionel Messi, Maradona and Ronaldinho now has a new bearer in teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:08:46 GMT

Montenegrin soccer club banned by UEFA for 10 years for match-fixing; player, official banned for life

The Montenegrin club were playing in a Conference League match that was flagged to UEFA for suspicious betting patterns in 2023...

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:05:53 GMT

Atletico Madrid complete signing of USMNT's Johnny Cardoso from Betis

Cardoso played a key role in Betis' run to the 2024-25 Conference League final, missing just two matches in the European campaign...

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:22:36 GMT

Sunderland hold interest in signing Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka

Xhaka missed just one match for Xabi Alonso's side in the 2024-25 campaign as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga...

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:59:12 GMT

Jamal Musiala exclusive: 'Ronaldinho, Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo were untouchable in my eyes'

The Athletic sat down with the Bayern Munich midfielder, a cover star for EA SPORTS FC 26 alongside Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:00:50 GMT

'There are no words' - Lionel Messi and his record-breaking scoring for Inter Miami

Messi has scored twice in each of Miami's last five MLS games, setting a league record and propelling Mascherano's team up the table..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:01:30 GMT

Isak, Liverpool and a £120m transfer poker game, why Diaz suits Barca, Palmer 'brand' in U.S.

Today in TAFC: The Isak-Ekitike transfer dilemma for Newcastle and Liverpool, why Barca want Luis Diaz and 'Brand Palmer' in America...

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:40:26 GMT

Liverpool are right to test Newcastle's resolve - Alexander Isak would be a dream signing

Newcastle's Sweden international is the complete centre-forward and would make a fine squad even more formidable..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:13:57 GMT

World Cup 2026: What lessons can be learnt from the Club World Cup?

Ticket pricing, adverse weather, pitches, travel problems - there is much to be worked on before next summer's international tournament..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:10:34 GMT

'Brand Palmer', Chelsea and how they can use Club World Cup to build U.S. popularity

Cole Palmer was the poster boy of Chelsea's Club World Cup, even before his final heroics - where does he and the club go from here?..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:05:00 GMT

Premier League predictions: Take on an Athletic writer in our new weekly game

We're launching a new predictions game for each Premier League matchday and need a subscriber each week to take part in the coming season..

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:01:53 GMT

USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang completes Derby County transfer

Agyemang, whose five international goals have all come in 2025, has signed a four-year contract at Pride Park...

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:00:49 GMT

Newcastle's Alexander Isak dilemma: Does it make any sense to sell him as they try to sign Hugo Ekitike?

Newcastle want Ekitike. Liverpool want Isak. Is there a world in which selling one and bringing in the other makes sense for Eddie Howe?..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:00:13 GMT

Jorge Jesus on Al Nassr appointment: 'Without Cristano Ronaldo's invitation, I wouldn't be there'

Portuguese coach Jesus, 70, has replaced Stefano Pioli as Al Nassr coach following last season's third-place Saudi Pro League (SPL) finish...

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:51:22 GMT

Sources: MLS, players reached new Club World Cup bonus agreement

The league and its Club World Cup participants ultimately reached a deal after a frosty standoff prior to the competition..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:24:11 GMT

Liverpool make Alexander Isak approach to Newcastle

The Premier League champions have communicated their interest to do a deal in the region of £120m. ..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:20:58 GMT

TAFC: The art of selling your best player and Newcastle's Hugo Ekitike move

Today in TAFC: The subtle art of selling your best player plus the goalkeeper shining despite having almost no depth perception..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:43:16 GMT

Gianni Infantino has won

You don’t have to salute FIFA's president for pulling off the Club World Cup, but it wasn’t cancelled, and nor did it fail..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:14:41 GMT

Why Newcastle want Hugo Ekitike and how he could fit in alongside Alexander Isak

The 6ft 3in forward is one of the quickest players in the Bundesliga, surprisingly effective in the air and could work in tandem with Isak..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:14:20 GMT

Club World Cup prize money: Where did the $1billion prize pot go?

The Club World Cup was supposed to have redistributive potential but $623.1m of the prize pot has wound up in the hands of 12 European clubs..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:12:24 GMT

Club World Cup: The best and worst moments, standout players, fans, games and what should change

What we learnt from the Club World Cup and what clues it offers about the 2026 World Cup..

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:10:19 GMT

USMNT to face Ecuador, Australia in October World Cup tune-ups

The USMNT's next four opponents have all already qualified for the 2026 World Cup...

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:00:01 GMT

Alvaro Carreras: The Real Madrid left-back who left for free... and has returned for €50m

Carreras has taken a winding route via Manchester United, the Championship and Benfica to get back to the Spanish capital..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:46:43 GMT

USMNT forward Josh Sargent in talks over potential Wolfsburg move

The two sides are yet to reach an agreement, but talks are ongoing over the 25-year-old's potential return to the Bundesliga. ..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:52:43 GMT

Who is Barcelona's new signing Roony Bardghji and what are their plans for him?

Roony is a Football Manager wonderkid who wants to be "the best player in the world". This is what you need to know about him..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:52 GMT

Chelsea, champions of the world - a surreal end to a strange tournament of dubious purpose

The Club World Cup aimed to crown soccer's best team, but did it?..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:00:39 GMT

Wrexham's Australia tour diary, part 2: James McClean on Melbourne Victory, jetlag, and snubbing cricket

Wrexham are Down Under for pre-season and captain James McClean provides insight into life on the road..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:00:12 GMT

Trump's trophy celebration and everything else you missed from the (weird) Club World Cup final

From President Trump celebrating with Chelsea on the podium to Cole Palmer being refreshingly normal, it was quite the occasion ..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 04:12:37 GMT

Liverpool salute Diogo Jota through songs, strength, solidarity – and a win

The friendly victory over Preston was a fitting tribute to the late striker, both on and off the field..

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 04:12:22 GMT

Trump and the Club World Cup final VIPs: A guide to the politicians, sports stars and tycoons at MetLife Stadium

All you need to know about the high-profile attendees at Sunday's showpiece soccer final in New Jersey..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:46:54 GMT

How Chelsea won the Club World Cup: Big bonuses, training-ground deals and 'scary' Palmer

The inside story of Chelsea's unlikely triumph in New Jersey that was 329 days in the making..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:00:30 GMT

Chelsea 3 PSG 0: Palmer’s brilliance, President Trump, $100m prize money - and Luis Enrique strikes Joao Pedro

Chelsea caused an upset in the Club World Cup final, dispatching PSG at the MetLife Stadium - here we break down the action...

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:14:22 GMT

FIFA claims consensus over rest periods as global players' union criticises 'authoritarian' decisions

The issue of increased player workload has been a key discussion point around the expanded Club World Cup...

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 18:34:03 GMT

Arsenal agree deal worth €73.5m for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP

The 27-year-old is in-demand after scoring 54 goals in 52 games last season for Sporting...

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 17:26:49 GMT

Why do so many footballers covet the No 10 shirt?

Being a team's No 10 clearly means something in branding terms, but in football ones it is even more important..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:00:30 GMT

Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham: Everything you need to know

Spurs have signed the 24-year-old forward from London rivals West Ham - here, we break down the deal..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 13:36:20 GMT

PSG and Chelsea in the Club World Cup final reflects the state of the game in 2025

The tournament is bankrolled by American and Middle Eastern investment; as is football globally. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess...

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 04:15:04 GMT

'Lost' transfer fees - Revealing the clubs who have missed out most on future sales

See where your club ranks in our searchable table of 'lost' future earnings on transfer deals..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 04:14:37 GMT

Club World Cup final guide: Will Chelsea or PSG be crowned the best on Earth?

Sunday's match between the English and French sides promises to be a fascinating tactical battle..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 04:13:55 GMT

How Brazil won the 1962 World Cup: With Garrincha coming to the fore after Pele injury

The 1962 tournament, hosted in Chile, is up there with the least fabled editions of the tournament - but why?..

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 04:04:00 GMT

Andy Carroll: Ex-Liverpool, Newcastle striker joins sixth-tier Dagenham & Redbridge

Dagenham & Redbridge also announced on Saturday that the club had been bought by a consortium of prominent Qatari private investors...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:23:42 GMT

'Football has been lost to Saudi Arabia' - former FIFA president Sepp Blatter

Blatter has criticised his former employer's role in offering "no opposition" to the Middle East nation...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 20:54:06 GMT

Gianni Infantino talks up the Club World Cup at Trump Tower - 'We will make it better'

"We may have received some justified criticism" said FIFA's president as he declared "the golden era of global club football has started"..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 19:38:09 GMT

Viktor Gyokeres to be fined and told to apologise after missing Sporting return - president

Arsenal are working to land Gyokeres and have a five-year deal prepared, subject to the clubs reaching an agreement over a fee...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 19:22:45 GMT

Santi Cazorla, 40, signs new Oviedo contract after La Liga promotion

The former Arsenal playmaker will enter his third season with Oviedo, marking his return to La Liga after leaving Villarreal five years ago...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 19:20:08 GMT

FIFA to stage Club World Cup final halftime show, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini to perform pre-game

The musical act at halftime of Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain will be performed far away from the field of play..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:25:14 GMT

Louis van Gaal: Ex-Manchester United and Netherlands coach 'no longer bothered by cancer'

Van Gaal previously announced he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer while in his third term as head coach of the Netherlands...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:17:13 GMT

Real Madrid request to postpone opening 2025-26 La Liga match denied - Javier Tebas

Madrid's 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final meant they have 40 days to rest and prepare for their La Liga opener...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 15:09:26 GMT

Andre Onana set to miss Manchester United's pre-season with hamstring injury

Onana will now work towards returning to fitness for United's Premier League season-opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17,..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 14:16:56 GMT

How Lionel Messi's favorite goal became immortalized in art

One of the Argentine superstar's greatest goals has been reimagined as an "immersive gateway that collapses time"..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 12:00:21 GMT

Malik Tillman and why Bayer Leverkusen have signed the USMNT midfielder

From Bayern's youth team to maturing at Rangers to winning titles at PSV - the 23-year-old American's rise has been rapid..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:25:13 GMT

Bayer Leverkusen complete deal to sign USMNT's Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven

Leverkusen were in the market for more creativity after the sale of Florian Wirtz to Liverpool in a club-record deal...

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:11:38 GMT

Crystal Palace, UEFA and multi-club ownership: How a Europa League dream died

Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League. This is how it happened.....

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:04:48 GMT

Donald Trump, the Club World Cup final, and how security protect VIPs at major sporting events

The U.S. president will attend the game between Chelsea and PSG on Sunday - here's how the planning to keep high-profile people safe works..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:15:49 GMT

Ranking the Ballon d’Or 2025 favourites: Has the Club World Cup changed things?

A look at the state of play as the world's best players jostle to win the sport's most prestigious individual award..

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:10:13 GMT

Liverpool retire No 20 shirt in memory of Diogo Jota

The club took the decision to retire the shirt number after consultation this week with Jota's wife Rute and other family members...

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:20:02 GMT

Inside Anthony Elanga's Newcastle United transfer – Fear, relief and why Howe wanted him

What Eddie Howe likes most about Anthony Elanga, how close the deal came to collapsing and what Newcastle and Forest plan to do next..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:15:09 GMT

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez says heat at Club World Cup games 'very dangerous' for players

Fernandez has joined the voices who have called on FIFA to consider changes ahead of next summer's men's World Cup...

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:48:11 GMT

How bold tactics and an old-fashioned kick-off routine made Paris Saint-Germain fast starters

The European champions are an incredibly dangerous side early on in games - this is how it works..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:00:57 GMT

Viktor Gyokeres not intending to report for Sporting CP training, pursuing Arsenal transfer

Arsenal are working to land Gyokeres and have a five-year deal prepared, subject to the clubs reaching a compromise...

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:26:36 GMT

TAFC: From pro player to £28m drugs conspirator. Plus: Spurs turn to £60m Gibbs-White

Today in TAFC: The former pro who became a drugs conspirator and all the transfer latest as Spurs look to spend £115m...

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:16:58 GMT

What Fridolina Rolfo's Barcelona exit says about the club's financial situation

There was more to the Sweden international's early Barca departure than meets the eye..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:58 GMT

The Athletic’s Friday football quiz question #63

Can you answer the weekly poser plucked from deep inside The Athletic's trivia vaults?..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:16 GMT

'It's Arsenal. They won't just ignore it' - Thomas Partey, the allegations and what the club knew

Arsenal have been aware of complaints about Partey, all of which he denies, for more than three years. Questions are now being asked..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:15:57 GMT

Jamie Cassidy, the Liverpool starlet turned drugs conspirator: 'In jail, some say lads want to be a footballer or a dealer. I’ve been both'

Exclusive: Liverpool's former academy prodigy reveals how he went from budding football star to convicted cocaine conspirator..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:14:59 GMT

Inside Hull City's crisis: Missed payments, the 'Brain Team', and an uncertain future

Hull and their colourful owner Acun Ilicali have issues to deal with. What happens next?..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:12:29 GMT

Each Premier League club's pre-season plans – and what to look out for

New signings bedding in? Head coach's tactical tweaks? Promoted teams preparing for the step up? What to look out for in pre-season..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:05:59 GMT

Rotation: The key word of Chelsea's long summer at the Club World Cup

Why Enzo Maresca's use of his squad, and the positional flexibility they show ,has been key to his side reaching Sunday's final..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:05:41 GMT

Arsene Wenger says Club World Cup is 'needed' following Jurgen Klopp's criticisms

The former Arsenal manager is in favour of the newly-expanded tournament. ..

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:58:12 GMT