Euro winner Luis de La Fuente extends Spain contract
January 28 – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year’s European Championship title.
World Football
AFCON heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon drawn together in 2025 finals
January 28 – Defending African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ivory Coast have been drawn against fellow tournament heavyweights Cameroon in the group stages of the 2025 iteration of the competition.
Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan arrested as part of cocaine trafficking investigation
January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.
Neymar has Al-Hilal contract cancelled, clearing path for potential return to Santos
January 28 – The cancellation of injury-prone Neymar’s contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal could ease the path to a return to Santos in Brazil where he started his career. Rumours are that he could return as both a player and investor.
US third-tier league NISA plans new season start in April
January 28 – US third-tier professional league, the national Independent Soccer Association (NISA), that operates under a provisional license issued by the US Soccer Federation (USSF) , has said it is targeting a return to play in April 2025 with a championship match in October.
Rudi Garcia tasked with returning Belgian pride and winning teams
January 27 – Frenchman Rudi Garcia (pictured) has been named the new manager of Belgium following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. His contract runs through until the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann to stay with German national team through to 2028 Euros
January 27 – Julian Nagelsmann has renewed his contract as head coach of the German national team for an extra two years beyond the 2028 European Championships.
UEFA’s shows zero tolerance of Serbia’s bad boys anti-Kosovan behaviour
January 27 – The Serbian FA has lost its appeal to UEFA over sanctions totalling €119,000 fine for fan misconduct during their Nations League match against Switzerland last November. Serbia’s appeal, challenging the original decision handed down in December, was rejected by the confederation’s Appeal Body on Friday, confirming the full extent of the penalties.
English FA spoil Welsh ambition and a happy Hollywood ending in Europe
January 27 – The Hollywood celebrity owners of Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have had their hopes of an easy entrance for European glory dashed by the English Football Association (FA) as the FA have blocked the English Football League’s Welsh clubs’ plans to join a revamped Welsh League Cup next season.
Sampdoria and Finland’s Nora Heroum balances UEFA masters with a July play date at Euro 2025
January 24 – Transitioning from being a professional footballer to a working life outside of playing the game is one of the biggest challenges a player undertakes.
Flagging Dortmund leave Nuri Sahin behind as they seek return to form
January 24 – Less than a year after reaching the Champions League final, Borussia Dortmund have sacked their coach, Nuri Sahin, following Tuesday’s defeat at Bologna which left them 13th in the new-look league system.
LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Park begins 4-year renovation
January 24 – Los Angeles is burning, but it is also building. Dignity Health Sports Park, home of 2024 MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy and the west coast training base for US national teams, is at the start of a four-year upgrade.
CIES Observatory crowns Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres as world’s top goalscorer
January 23 – Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has been revealed as the top scorer of 2024 by the CIES Football Observatory after a superb season for Sporting CP, netting 64 goals across the past twelve months, 54 for his club and 10 at national team level.
Katanec quits as Uzbekistan head coach for undisclosed health reasons
January 23 – Despite being close to qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time, Uzbekistan head coach Srečko Katanec resigned on Wednesday citing undisclosed health reasons.
Ambitious plans announced for Benito Villamarín Stadium revamp in Betis
January 23 – Real Betis have released new renderings of their ambitious plan to modernise the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, with construction slated to begin at the end of the current season.