Leeds and Burnley celebrate Premier League promotion
April 22 – Leeds United and Burnley have secured promotion to the Premier League, with the two sides occupying unassailable positions in the automatic spots on 94 points each.
Europe
Ancelotti expected to step down at Real Madrid to take Brazil job
April 22 – Carlo Ancelotti is expected to step down as Real Madrid manager following the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, with the Italian lined up to take over as Brazil’s new head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
AC Milan launch junior camps in Central Europe
April 22 – AC Milan have taken another step in their international grassroots strategy with the launch of two Milan Junior Camps in Central Europe this July — in Prague (14–18 July) and Rovinka, Slovakia (21–25 July).
Barcelona and Lyon earn first leg advantages in UWCL semi-finals
April 22 – Barcelona bounced back from Alexia Putellas’ missed penalty to secure a dominant 4-1 win over Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals on Sunday. Olympique Lyonnais hold a 2-1 advantage over Arsenal in the other last-four tie.
Xabi Alonso’s “gentleman’s agreement” to leave Bayer Leverkusen
April 22 – Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has a “gentleman’s agreement” with the club, according to Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, in relation to potential job offers from his former clubs.
Arsenal show maturity to march into Champions League semi-finals
April 17 – With an outstanding away performance and a late Gabriel Martinelli strike, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 to eliminate the European champions 5-1 on aggregate from the Champions League.
Villarreal CF expands youth soccer presence with New Idaho Academy
April 17 – Spain’s Villarreal CF continues its quiet infiltration of the US youth soccer market with the opening of an academy in Hailey, Idaho—marking the club’s 14th affiliated academy in North America.
UEFA draws groups for U19 Euro finals in Romania and Poland
April 16 – The road to continental youth glory is set following the UEFA U19 EURO group stage draws for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, which were conducted on Tuesday morning. Spain, reigning champions in both competitions, will be looking to defend their crowns this summer as Europe’s top young talents prepare to converge in Romania and Poland.
Nutrition is focus of second model of UEFA’s Take Care initiative
April 16 – UEFA has launched the second module of its Take Care campaign, with a focus on nutrition, continuing its initiative to harness the power of football to promote healthier lifestyles and positive habits across society.
Brentford multi-club ambitions grow with Merida purchase
April 15 – Brentford have taken a significant step in reviving their multi-club ownership strategy with the acquisition of Spanish third-tier side Merida AD by their newly formed holding company, Best Intentions Analytics.
Atletico extend with Nike
April 15 – Atletico Madrid have officially extended their long-standing kit deal with Nike in a landmark renewal that will carry the partnership through to the end of the 2034-35 season—pushing the collaboration beyond three decades.
Modric takes ownership stake in Swansea City
April 15 – Luka Modric, who has graced the highest levels of the beautiful game with Real Madrid and Croatia, has now taken his first steps into club ownership by acquiring a minority interest in English Football League (EFL) Championship side Swansea City.
Agents hit Premier League jackpot
April 15 – English Premier League clubs continue to spend millions on agent fees and, for the second consecutive year, Chelsea have topped the list.
Croatia launches construction of new national training centre
April 15 – The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and the Croatian government have officially launched the construction of a modern national training centre in Velika Gorica.
New European Leagues chief Schäfer sends warning to FIFA to rethink their money grab
April 13 – The European Leagues body met for the first time under the leadership of its recently elected Swiss president Claudius Schäfer last Friday. Schäfer wasted no time, coming out of his swinging with FIFA’s fast growing and ambitions as a competition organizer the target of his punches.