Nottingham Forest have confirmed the departure of head coach Vitor Pereira after exercising a mutual break clause, ending his brief but successful tenure at the City Ground.
The 57-year-old Portuguese tactician leaves despite guiding the East Midlands club to Premier League safety and a Europa League semi-final last season.
His exit comes shortly after the former Porto boss released a statement describing the decision as a complete surprise and without any warning.
Break clause ends brief tenure
The City Ground hierarchy activated a mutual break clause in the 18-month contract he originally signed in February.
An official club statement thanked the departing coaching team for their considerable efforts and enormous dedication.
They credited the outgoing staff with securing their top-flight status and providing the foundations for future success.
Five members of his backroom team, including assistants Filipe Almeida and Luis Miguel, have also vacated their positions.
Disappointment despite European success
The European specialist expressed his deep sadness at the sudden termination of his contract.
“Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.” Vitor Pereira
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.”
Under his stewardship, the two-time European Cup winners enjoyed a memorable conclusion to their campaign.
Navigating a difficult domestic season, the Portuguese coach successfully steered his squad away from the relegation zone.
Simultaneously, he orchestrated an impressive continental run that only concluded at the semi-final stage of the Europa League.
Glasner linked with vacant role
Attention now turns to who will succeed the 57-year-old in the City Ground dugout.
Reports suggest that Oliver Glasner is the leading candidate to take charge ahead of the new campaign.
The Austrian manager has been out of work since leaving Premier League rivals Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
Liverpool are closely monitoring Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui following his standout performances for Morocco at the World Cup in North America.
The 25-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Premier League side as they look to strengthen their defensive midfield options this summer.
Interest in the former Lens player has surged following his impressive international displays against teams such as Brazil and the Netherlands.
Premier League interest intensifies
As many as eight English clubs have reportedly held talks with intermediaries regarding the availability of the North African star.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are among the sides tracking the Roma ball-winner.
The Serie A club consider him a crucial asset, meaning a substantial financial offer will be required to secure his signature.
Any formal bids are expected to be delayed until the conclusion of Morocco’s current international campaign.
Midfield overhaul at Anfield?
The Merseyside club are eager to recruit an out-and-out holding midfielder ahead of the new domestic season.
Potential departures for Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister could accelerate the need for midfield reinforcements.
While the Moroccan international has shone globally, he started just eight league matches for his Italian employers last season.
Alternative targets considered
Should the asking price prove too high, Liverpool may shift their focus to other emerging talents.
Lille’s 18-year-old prospect Ayoub Bouaddi, who is also representing the Atlas Lions at the tournament, remains a viable alternative.
The teenage sensation has already attracted attention from both Arsenal and Manchester City.
The German Football Association has told Julian Nagelsmann to consider resigning or face being sacked following the national team’s shock World Cup exit to Paraguay on Monday.
Jurgen Klopp has emerged as the clear frontrunner to take over from the 38-year-old following the round-of-32 elimination in Boston.
The former Liverpool manager is understood to be open to managing his country after spending two years away from the dugout.
Germany suffered a devastating penalty shootout defeat against the South American side to end their tournament prematurely.
Defender Jonathan Tah had an extra-time goal controversially ruled out before missing the decisive spot-kick in the dramatic shootout.
Nagelsmann defiant amid board pressure
Despite the highly disappointing result, the former Bayern Munich head coach initially insisted he would not step down.
The tactician currently has two years remaining on a contract extension that was signed after a solid home showing at Euro 2024.
However, reports indicate the governing body’s board has now delivered a blunt ultimatum following emergency crisis talks.
This decisive action is reportedly independent of any potential appointment, but it significantly clears the path for a high-profile successor.
Klopp addresses national team speculation
The 59-year-old has been employed as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer since January 2025, overseeing a network of clubs including RB Leipzig.
He is currently working at the tournament as a television pundit and was questioned about the managerial vacancy in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.
“I understand that my name is being mentioned. But this isn’t the moment to talk about it – and certainly not with me.”
A decade of tournament disappointment
This latest early exit extends a miserable run of form on the global stage for the four-time world champions.
The European heavyweights have remarkably failed to win a single World Cup knockout match since lifting the prestigious trophy in 2014.
Joachim Low oversaw a disastrous group-stage elimination in Russia eight years ago, before Hansi Flick suffered the exact same fate in 2022.
The current national team boss acknowledged this severe decline after watching his squad fall short in the United States.
“This is now the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more. I am disappointed.”
Former Chelsea and France captain Marcel Desailly believes Arsenal defender William Saliba is the best centre-back in world football and will eventually secure a transfer to Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old has flourished at Emirates Stadium since establishing himself as a first-team regular in 2022 following several successful loan spells in his homeland.
He has formed a formidable partnership with Brazilian international Gabriel, creating a defensive foundation that has helped Mikel Arteta’s side mount consecutive Premier League title challenges.
Surpassing Van Dijk
The World Cup-winning Frenchman insists that the Gunners star has now overtaken Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as the premier central defender in the global game.
Desailly also controversially claimed that Gabriel’s own impressive performances are largely a direct result of playing alongside the exceptional French international.
“Who do I think is the best centre-back in the world? It’s not Virgil van Dijk.”
Marcel Desailly
“I would put William Saliba there, even though he has some problems with his back, I think he’s in the conversation for the world’s best centre-back.”
“Gabriel is only there because of Saliba – so Gabriel, no, he’s not in the conversation.”
Future at the Bernabeu
The highly-rated centre-half committed his long-term future to the north London club last year by signing a lucrative contract extension.
Despite this significant commitment to Arsenal, his compatriot fully expects the reigning European champions to eventually acquire his signature.
“I do expect William Saliba to one day wear the colours of Real Madrid. He’s committed to Arsenal for the next, I don’t know, four years.”
“The door is open, and all the best players want to play for Real Madrid at some point in their careers.”
Tottenham Hotspur are set to shatter their club-record transfer fee for the second time in a week by agreeing a deal worth up to £100m for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The North London side have embarked on an unprecedented summer rebuild after narrowly avoiding Premier League relegation with 17th-place finishes in consecutive campaigns.
With total expenditure already reaching £237m, the Enic-owned club are signalling a ruthless intent to reclaim their status among English football’s established elite.
A recently completed £85m move for relegated West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes initially broke their transfer record, following the earlier £52m capture of Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Beating rivals to marquee signatures
The pursuit of Italian international Tonali represents a major market coup for the revitalised outfit.
Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal had identified the playmaker as a primary midfield target, but ultimately found Newcastle’s asking price prohibitive.
Similarly, the Lilywhites managed to fend off fierce competition from Manchester United to successfully secure the services of Portuguese talent Fernandes.
This aggressive market strategy is being fuelled by fresh spending rules, increased matchday revenues, and significant wage bill reductions.
A seismic shift in boardroom strategy
The catalyst for this drastic change in approach was the departure of long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy last September.
A comprehensive structural reset was authorised by majority shareholders Enic, who have just injected a further £100m into the squad through a new share purchase.
Under the guidance of new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange, the hierarchy are determined to complete their business decisively.
New chairman Peter Charrington outlined this uncompromising ambition in a recent open letter to supporters.
“What has been put in motion is real, and it marks a genuine break from what had come before.” Peter Charrington
“We must be in the fight with the best teams in this league, every season, and we are rebuilding this club with that standard in mind.”
Shamrock Rovers will interrupt their journey back to Dublin to watch captain Pico Lopes represent Cape Verde against Lionel Messi and Argentina in a World Cup knockout match.
Under normal circumstances, the defender would be leading his club side at Sligo Rovers to help extend their advantage at the summit of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Instead, he is preparing for the biggest fixture of his international career against the legendary Argentine forward in front of 65,000 spectators in Miami.
The domestic squad are scheduled to finish their own league match roughly an hour before the international clash begins, prompting a frantic search for a suitable viewing venue on their route home.
Unprecedented club support
Club press officer Mark Lynch confirmed that the team bus, accompanied by hundreds of travelling supporters, will seek out a pub to stream the historic occasion.
The fixture will not be broadcast at the club’s Tallaght Stadium home ground due to operational facility restrictions imposed by the local council.
Lopes is subsequently expected to miss his club’s crucial Champions League first-leg qualifier against Maltese champions Floriana on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old centre-back will likely target the return leg in Ireland a week later following his unprecedented international commitments.
‘The most famous footballer in Ireland’
Despite the sudden influx of global attention, club officials insist the squad dynamic will remain entirely unaffected upon their skipper’s return.
“Within the group he will be treated just the same, which is exactly what he would want as a humble guy.”
The press officer stated that media interest has truly ignited around the camp, amplifying the atmosphere ahead of the monumental fixture.
“He’s probably the most famous footballer in Ireland right now, but all the publicity won’t change him.”
When asked about the prospect of securing a legendary souvenir from the South American talisman, Lynch offered a humorous assessment of the impending defensive assignment.
“Well, he’ll have hold of his shirt for the full 90 minutes, so he might as well get it from him at the final whistle.”
Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez remains determined to secure a summer transfer away from Stamford Bridge, his agent has confirmed.
The Argentine international is currently representing his country at the World Cup and is strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future originally escalated in April following the London club’s exit from the Champions League.
Strained relations at Stamford Bridge
Fernandez was previously dropped for two matches by his current employers after publicly opening the door to a potential departure.
Javier Pastore, who represents the World Cup winner, furiously condemned that internal suspension as completely unfair during an explosive media interview.
While tensions in West London had seemingly cooled, the agent has now reiterated that an exit strategy is actively being pursued behind the scenes.
World Cup focus and Madrid dreams
“At the moment, the player is calmly focusing on the national team,” Pastore told reporters.
“He’s thinking only about that, whilst we’re looking at options for him to leave Chelsea, but there’s nothing definite or confirmed with any club.”
A lucrative move to the Santiago Bernabeu appears to be the primary objective for the highly-rated playmaker.
The unsettled star frequently visits the Spanish capital to meet with his representatives and spend time with international team-mate Julian Alvarez.
“He has lots of friends at Real Madrid, and he’s very close to Julian Alvarez,” added Pastore.
“Every time he’s travelled there, it’s been to see me and to sort out work matters, but apart from that: who doesn’t like Madrid?”
Former Arsenal and Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41 following a remarkable career spanning more than two decades.
The veteran playmaker confirmed his decision to hang up his boots via social media on Thursday.
“There are stories that don’t end… they live on forever. Thank you for everything,” he stated in an Instagram post.
Triumph and trauma in north London
The gifted technician spent six highly influential years at the Emirates Stadium between 2012 and 2018.
Operating under Arsene Wenger, he was instrumental in helping the Gunners secure consecutive FA Cup triumphs in 2014 and 2015.
However, the two-time European Championship winner’s time in England was severely curtailed by a horrific Achilles injury.
He contracted a devastating infection that caused gangrene, leading doctors to warn he might never walk properly again, let alone play football.
A miraculous return to the pitch
The severe injury necessitated eight operations and a skin graft from his arm to save his foot from potential amputation.
“The problem was that it did not heal and the wounds would reopen, become infected,” he previously explained to Spanish publication Marca.
After British doctors struggled to halt the infection, a specialist in his homeland finally diagnosed the immense damage to both the bone and tendon.
Despite enduring a subsequent blood infection, the resilient midfielder defied medical expectations to resume his professional career for nearly another decade.
International pedigree and final chapter
On the international stage, the former Villarreal star was a key figure for his country during a golden era of dominance.
He played a crucial role in securing back-to-back European Championship titles for La Roja in 2008 and 2012.
Cruel luck with injuries also meant the diminutive maestro was absent from the squad that lifted the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
He ultimately concluded his career back where it all started with boyhood side Real Oviedo, helping them achieve promotion to the Spanish top flight before retiring.