1. PEP GUARDIOLA TO LEAVE MANCHESTER CITY AFTER 10 YEARS
Pep Guardiola will depart Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing to a close one of the most decorated managerial reigns in English football history. The 55-year-old Catalan will step down after Sunday's final Premier League fixture, having guided City to 20 trophies since taking charge in 2016 — including six league titles, two FA Cups and the 2023 Champions League.
Guardiola transformed City from a club chasing relevance into the dominant force in European football for the better part of a decade. His departure marks the end of an era at the Etihad and leaves one of the game's most coveted jobs vacant heading into the summer.
2. MARESCA VERBALLY AGREES TO BECOME NEXT MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER
Enzo Maresca has verbally agreed to become Manchester City's next manager on an initial three-year deal, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the agreement is in place. The Italian, who previously served as Guardiola's assistant at City between 2022 and 2023, returns to the Etihad with senior managerial experience behind him.
Maresca won the Championship title with Leicester City in 2024 before joining Chelsea, where he delivered the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. He left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent in January 2026. His familiarity with City's playing style and structure is understood to have made him the clear choice over other candidates, including Vincent Kompany.
3. ARSENAL EDGE CLOSER TO PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE
Kai Havertz headed Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Emirates on Sunday, leaving Mikel Arteta's side on the brink of their first Premier League title in 22 years. The German struck the decisive blow from a corner with nine minutes of the first half remaining. Arsenal now await the outcome of Manchester City's trip to Bournemouth, with City needing a win to keep the title race alive heading into the final day.
The result strengthens Arsenal's grip at the top of the table. Arteta's side are also preparing for a Champions League final against PSG in Budapest on May 30, putting them in genuine contention for an historic double.
4. DEMBELE INJURY SCARE CASTS SHADOW OVER UCL FINAL
Ousmane Dembele was substituted after just 28 minutes of PSG's Ligue 1 defeat to Paris FC on Sunday with right calf discomfort, raising fears over his fitness ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest. PSG moved quickly to calm concerns, confirming the injury is muscular discomfort rather than a structural tear and that internal assessments are positive.
Dembele has been PSG's standout performer this season with 19 goals and 11 assists. Arsenal will be monitoring his status closely as they prepare for their first European final since 2006. PSG say they expect him to be fit in time, but with only 12 days until kick-off the margin is tight.
5. KUDUS REJECTS SURGERY IN WORLD CUP BID
Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus has turned down advice from Tottenham Hotspur doctors to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem, opting for conservative treatment in a bid to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. The winger has been sidelined since January with a combination of quad and hamstring issues and faces a race against time to feature for the Black Stars.
Ghana open their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before facing England on June 21 and Croatia on June 25 in Group L. Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has warned that the absences of Kudus and defensive midfielder Mohammed Salisu would be a serious blow to the team's chances in North America.
