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Celtic Now Eyeing Lee Carsley to Replace Brendan Rodgers as Manager

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England U21 manager Lee Carsley has reportedly emerged as a candidate to become Brendan Rodgers‘ permanent successor at Celtic.

Graeme Bailey (via 67 Hail Hail) reports that the Bhoys are long-term admirers of Carsley and have been impressed with his work on the international stage. He has led the Young Lions to two U21 European Championships, including a triumph in Slovakia this past summer.

Celtic are on the lookout for a long-term successor to Rodgers, who resigned last week and has been replaced by Martin O’Neill on a temporary basis. The Northern Irishman cut a three-year contract short to part ways with the Scottish Premiership giants.

Lee Carsley on Celtic’s Radar

Lee Carsley
Lee Carsley

Carsley only signed a new contract as England U21 manager back in June, keeping him tied to the job until the end of the U21 European Championships in 2027. He has yet to manage a club at a senior level, but has previous stints as Coventry City caretaker manager and Manchester City U18 coach on his resume.

It’s noted that the 51-year-old “isn’t a frontrunner” to replace Rodgers but is “under consideration” as the club’s higher-ups continue to study their options. Their managerial shortlist may no longer include Ange Postecoglou as their former boss is thought to have been ruled out although Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy is remaining silent over links to the role.

Kieran McKenna also spoke about his focus being on Ipswich Town, while the likes of Craig Bellamy and Robbie Keane remain outsiders to take over at Parkhead. Head of Football Paul Tisdale (pictured below) and his staff appear to be fans of Carsley, too, which could be an intriguing appointment.

Paul Tisdale

Carsley’s success while in charge of England’s U21s can’t be ignored, as he has implemented an attacking brand of football that has reaped rewards, including two trophies. But it’s his work in developing talent that may be most enticing, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke among those to have grown while working with the Irishman.

Over the course of his reign, he has overseen 31 wins and seven defeats in 40 games, including 10 wins and just one defeat in 12 European Championship games. He has proven a hit with his players with Harvey Elliott, who has flourished under his tutelage, branding him an “unbelievable” tactician.

The only concern will be a lack of elite level management but he spent much of his early coaching years as part of backroom teams at the higher level of English football. He also has experience, albeit short, of managing England’s senior side and there were suggestions he should become Gareth Southgate’s immediate successor.

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Lille Star Matias Fernandez-Pardo

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Manchester United are not only looking to bolster their midfield options this summer, with a new left-winger also being looked at for the transfer window.

Jadon Sancho has officially left after his contract expired, while Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund have departed permanently, leaving the club short of options in attack for the new season. Marcus Rashford is now an option to return to the first-team fold after Barcelona opted against making his loan permanent, but there are still options being looked at.

One of those is understood to be West Ham star Crysencio Summerville, but the club are also looking at alternatives, including one Ligue 1 sensation.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo

Matias Fernandez-Pardo

According to Sky Sports, Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo has emerged as a potential target for Man Utd as they look to bolster their forward options.

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘one of the most promising forwards in Europe’, enjoyed a fine breakout season in Ligue 1 in the 2025/26 season as he scored eight goals and registered six assists in all competitions.

The 21-year-old is capable of playing on both wings and also as a number ten, and Man Utd have identified the youngster as a potential option to come in and strengthen their forward line, as they prepare to enter the Champions League following their third-placed finish in the Premier League.

While there has been no formal contact or approach yet, United are alert to market opportunities at either left-wing or left-back, with a belief that Patrick Dorgu is capable of playing in both positions if needed.

Fernandez-Pardo has also attracted the attention of clubs like Newcastle and Aston Villa this summer, but Lille are understood to be holding out for a big fee for their star forward as they look to keep hold of him for at least another campaign.

Fernandez-Pardo Could Be Wildcard Signing

Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026) via Reuters

Carrick has made it abundantly clear that if it were up to him a new left-winger would be coming into the squad this summer.

The potential return of Rashford has potentially lessened that need for an immediate starter to come in, but he can’t and won’t play every game, while it’s fair to say that Dorgu and Matheus Cunha are both at their best in different roles.

Adding Fernandez-Pardo to the squad would provide quality depth and competition for the attacking positions, and his versatility means he’d be a welcome addition at Old Trafford for the right price too.


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Everton Eyeing Deal to Sign Man City Star Rico Lewis

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Everton are pushing to make some big additions to their squad this summer, and David Moyes has identified another option that could come in and do just that.

The Toffees are yet to formally announce any deals during the current transfer window, but have already agreed deals for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney and Chelsea starlet Arthur Barratt, while they are also closing in on an agreement for Chelsea winger Tyrique George following his loan at the club last season.

But after allowing Seamus Coleman to depart at the end of his contract, and with Nathan Patterson expected to be on the move, a right-back has been eyed as a priority position to strengthen.

Everton Eyeing Rico Lewis

rico lewis

Jack Grealish is someone that the club are very keen on bringing in from Man City on a permanent deal if they can, but TEAMtalk now report that his City teammate Rico Lewis has now also emerged as a target.

The right-back, who has been described as ‘extraordinary’, struggled for regular first-team football in the 2025/26 campaign under Pep Guardiola, having lost his place as a starter to Matheus Nunes.

Now, despite Guardiola being replaced by Enzo Maresca, it has emerged that the five-time England international will be allowed to leave this summer, with all parties believing a transfer is in their best interests.

Everton are understood to be a club who could emerge as serious contenders for his signature, with his homegrown status versatility and availability making him a genuine target.

Lewis has played in both full-back positions as well as midfield under Guardiola, and it’s the type of deal that could help Everton to fill a number of holes in their squad for a relatively modest fee. Both Lewis and City are open to an exit, although no asking price has been mentioned.

Everton Need Right-Back Additions

David Moyes

With Coleman no longer a player at the club, and Patterson expected to move on, Everton are light on options at right-back heading into the new season.

Recently it has been Jake O’Brien playing there, but he is a centre-back by trade and bringing in someone with an engine and an offensive threat from full-back would provide some exciting new options.

Lewis can do that, while also being comfortable playing in midfield if needed, and it could be a shrewd bit of business for the Toffees to get done, and may even help to build a relationship with City that could see a deal for Grealish, and potentially others, easier to do in the future.


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VAR Expert Casts Clear Verdict on Folarin Balogun Red Card vs Bosnia

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A VAR expert has provided a strong verdict after USA forward Folarin Balogun was controversially shown a straight red card during the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night.

Balogun, the former Arsenal and England youngster who currently plies his trade at club level for AS Monaco, put the USA 1-0 up on the stroke of half-time.

But he was left heartbroken midway through the second half when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed him a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic following a VAR review.

While the incident looked relatively innocuous in real time, slow-motion replays made the incident appear far more serious. “I think it is accidental, but that looks horrible,” BBC Sport commentator Jonathan Pearce said at the time. “I think there is only one outcome here.”

The referee then announced to the crowd: “The number 20, United States, committed a serious foul. The final decision is red card.” Watch the incident below:

Pochettino: It’s Never a Red Card

Mauricio Pochettino REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men, the USMNT secured an impressive 2-0 victory at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, with Malik Tillman doubling the joint-hosts’ advantage late on.

The USA will now be without Balogun, their top scorer at this summer’s tournament with three goals, when they face Belgium in the last 16 on Monday night.

“For me it’s never a red card,” USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said in his post-match press conference, per the Independent. “Watching after on TV… there was never intention to step on the player.

“[It’s] a normal action in football that happened by accident. It’s never intentional. That is why for me it’s never a red card.

“I think today, the 50/50 decisions, not one went for us. The players reacted very well, we controlled that emotional part of the game, how they managed the situation was amazing, we were mature enough to continue competing.”


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VAR Expert Casts Clear Verdict Over Balogun Red Card Decision

Folarin Balogun REUTERS/Phil Noble

Amid the intense debate over whether or not Balogun deserved a straight red card, VAR expert Andy Davies has provided a firm verdict in his ESPN column. Davies says:

“Balogun can feel unfortunate to be red carded in this situation as, in my opinion, this was not a red card offence.”

He continued: “With both players challenging for ball, the contact from Balogun on Muharemovic, while it looked bad in slow motion, was purely accidental and an unfortunate result from two players challenging for possession of the ball in a normal football movement.”

Curiously, it’s suggested that a VAR protocol was broken with this particular review. Davies adds:

​​​​​​​“VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation.

“Once at the screen, however, it would have been a surprise if the referee did not send off Balogun considering the pictures he was presented by VAR.”

World Cup History Quiz

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Meanwhile, a FIFA official has confirmed to The Athletic that a team cannot appeal against a red card of subsequent suspension. The official pointed to its regulations and Article 66.4, which states: “A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”

As a result, Balogun is currently ruled out of the Belgium fixture and could miss further games – provided the US reach the quarter-finals – should FIFA’s disciplinary committee choose to extend the suspension.

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