Mano Menezes returns to Gremio tasked with turning season their around
April 22 – Gremio have confirmed Mano Menezes as their new manager to succeed Gustavo Quinteros, who was dismissed following disappointing run of results.
World Football
Eintracht Frankfurt open up talent pathway with Ghana’s Accra Lions
April 23 – Eintracht Frankfurt have taken a step into the African football talent market with a strategic partnership with Ghanaian side Accra Lions FC, beginning in June 2025.
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.
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.
Cleveland Soccer Group buys franchise and stake in new 2nd tier WPSL Pro league
April 22 – The US will have a third professional women’s league in 2026 with the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) launching as a second tier pro league.
MLS bets on Kitman Labs partnership to modernise player development
April 17 – Major League Soccer has deepened its relationship with performance intelligence firm Kitman Labs in a move that could help stitch together a more coherent player development pathway across the United States and Canada — from academy level through to the first team.
Club Leon boss slams FIFA and Infantino over Club World Cup
April 17 – Club Leon manager Eduardo Berizzo has blasted FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino over his side’s exclusion from the Club World Cup because of multiple-club ownership rules.
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.
Tevez plots one last Messi v Ronaldo showdown
April 17 – Former Argentine great Carlos Tevez is planning his farewell game in Buenos Aires, and hopes to include former teammates Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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.
FC Dallas begins $182m revamp of Toyota Stadium
April 16 – One of the founder clubs of MLS, FC Dallas, has started the $182 million renovation of its Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.