Ex-Germany boss Joachim Low has rejected an offer to coach Uzbekistan, turning down the chance to lead them after their first World Cup qualification.

Low turned down offer from UzbekistanCountry recently qualified for first-ever World CupEmbassy in Berlin helped facilitate talksFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Germany coach Low, who led his nation to the 2014 World Cup title, has rejected an offer from Uzbekistan’s Football Association to take charge of their national team, according to . The Central Asian side recently qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history and had high hopes of landing the experienced tactician.

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Uzbekistan, 55th in the FIFA world rankings, are eager to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The nation’s football officials, with assistance from their embassy in Berlin, held talks with Low about leading their debut campaign. Despite a positive online meeting, the 65-year-old ultimately declined the offer.

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Low is regarded as one of the most respected coaches in world football. He guided Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil in 2014, the same year he was honoured as FIFA Coach of the Year. Low oversaw the national team from 2006 to 2021, delivering consistent success at both the European Championships and World Cups. He stepped down in March 2021 and has not taken charge of any club or national side since.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

The Uzbekistan Football Association will continue its search for a head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Low remains open to future national team roles but appears to be waiting for the right opportunity.

أكد محسن صالح، رئيس لجنة التخطيط السابق في النادي الأهلي، أن المدرب الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو، لم يكن على نفس مستوى القلعة الحمراء.

وكان النادي الأهلي، أعلن رحيل خوسيه ريبيرو، عن تدريب الفريق، بعد سلسلة من النتائج السلبية آخرها الهزيمة أمام بيراميدز في الدوري بنتيجة 2-0.

وقال صالح خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2” لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “ريبيرو لم يتعامل بشكل جيد في إدارة مباراة بيراميدز وارتكب أسوأ شيء بإدارته للقاء”.

طالع | أول تعليق من ريبيرو بعد رحيله عن تدريب الأهلي.. ويوجه رسالة للجماهير

وأضاف: “كنت أتمنى ألا يتعاقد الأهلي مع مدرب عمل في إفريقيا، لأن المدربين الذي يعملون في أندية إفريقيا مستوى خامس أو سادس”.

وأكمل: “ريبيرو ليس مستوى الأهلي، موسيماني كان مستوى خمسة أو ستة، من بعد مانويل جوزيه لم نرى مدربًا لائقًا في النادي الأهلي، فايلر قضى نصف موسم وبعد كورونا باع الأهلي، موسيماني كان اختيار سيء ولا يليق”.

ويواصل مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، برئاسة محمود الخطيب، البحث في السير الذاتية لعدد من المدربين في الوقت الحالي، لاختيار المدرب الجديد للفريق.

ومن المقرر أن يعود فريق الأهلي، لمنافسات بطولة الدوري المصري بمواجهة إنبي، بعد انتهاء فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي، ذلك يوم 14 سبتمبر الجاري.

Brady recently said that rather than soccer, aspiring U.S. athletes talk 'about American football, basketball, baseball, hockey'

• Lalas frustrated by celebrities who trash talk American leagues
• Said celebrating soccer shouldn't require dismissing U.S. soccer
• The NFL legends have both invested in English football clubs

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  Reflecting on the growing trend of American sports celebrities investing in European football clubs, ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas took aim at former NFL greats Tom Brady and J.J. Watt, who have ownership stakes in Birmingham and Burnley, respectively. 

  In a recent podcast interview, Brady said “the reality for most athletes in America is these other sports just become very dominant because of culturally what’s on television all the time. And what’s being talked about in the schoolyard ends up often being talked about American football, basketball, baseball, hockey.”

  He added, “And we need the youth in America in soccer. We need a young phenom like a Lamine Yamal, a young Lionel Messi, to take over.”

  Lalas said he has no objection to where celebrities choose to invest their money, but takes issue with their attitudes toward domestic soccer.

  "Some of these guys have earned a tremendous amount of money and, like any type of investment, you want to diversify – and I think that they recognize that this is good business and this is a fun business to be in," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “What I would object to is, if and when you do it, that then you start to crap on, in this case, soccer or soccer leagues or soccer teams or soccer structures in your home country?

  I cannot abide by something like that. If you feel that that's where your money is best put, fine. Recognize that you're not doing anything for the game that you purport to support in your home country. “

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• WHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

  The former US international said many U.S. celebrities and former athletes have opted against investing in opportunities to grow the game in America.

  “While I would love you to invest in your home country, and some do, just don't be a jerk when it comes to  soccer in your country, soccer that exists and has already existed – and the history that exists and all the people that work their ass off," he said. “And I think that's where it kind of rubs people the wrong way, whether it's a J.J. Watt or, you know, Tom Brady, or anybody else out there who have to do press – and should do press and use their platform that they have.

  "I think that they can do that and celebrate this venture that they have embarked on and celebrate their excitement about being involved in soccer in another country without crapping on the sport back in their homeland.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Brady acquired a minority stake in English Championship club Birmingham City, while Watt and his wife Kealia Watt invested in Burnley FC.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The growing American ownership presence in European football, which now includes teams in the English Premier League, Serie A, and other top leagues, represents both a challenge and an opportunity for American soccer to reshape its relationship with global football.

Fridolina Rolfo, Manchester United's marquee summer signing, is set to miss next week's Champions League qualifiers in a huge blow.

Rolfo to miss Champions League qualifiersEx-Barca star is Man Utd's marquee summer signingUpdates on fitness Clinton & more also providedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Marc Skinner's side will face PSV Eindhoven on August 27, with the winner then likely to take on Hammarby, who made the group stages last term, three days later for a place in the second round of UWCL qualifying. It's a tricky draw for Man Utd and it looks like they are set to be without at least one of their biggest stars for the challenge, if not more.

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The Red Devils were without a number of notable names for Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their latest pre-season friendly and it will have concerned fans to see all of Rolfo, Grace Clinton, Leah Galton, Melvine Malard and Rachel Williams absent. Speaking about those missing after the game, Skinner explained that while most of those players should be back soon, Rolfo is "probably a few weeks away yet".

WHAT SKINNER SAID

"Mel was a little bit of a hip [issue]. Hopefully [she] will be back for the PSV game," Skinner said, rattling through the absentees. "Leah, we're just watching. [She] may be back for the PSV game, and I look at Fridolina, she's just come in so we're assessing her. She'd had a knock when she was going into the Euros, so we're just making sure she's healthy and she's probably a few weeks away yet – but we'd rather treat her carefully as she's going to be an excellent signing. Grace had a little niggle, so we're just protecting her as well, and obviously Rach has been back on the field."

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DID YOU KNOW?

There was some positive news on Wednesday, though, as Millie Turner returned to action. The centre-back was in contention for England's squad at Euro 2025 before suffering a foot fracture at the end of May which ruled her out of the tournament before the squad was revealed. She came off the bench in the 2-2 draw in what is a boost to the Red Devils ahead of next week's big games.

"All in all, they're coming back," Skinner said. "There's nothing really sinister. We're just going to make sure, especially at the start of the season, we don't risk too many people too soon, but they'll be ready in the next few weeks and they'll help us massively."

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional se recuperou no Campeonato Gaúcho e venceu o Brasil de Pelotas neste sábado, por 1 a 0, no Bento Freitas. O autor do gol solitário foi Pedro Henrique, que converteu um pênalti.Com o resultado, o Colorado alcança a vice-liderança, com 13 pontos. Já o Brasil de Pelotas aparece em 7º lugar, com oito pontos. O próximo compromisso do Inter é diante o São José, em casa, na quinta-feira. Enquanto isso, o Xavante encara o Ypiranga, no sábado, fora de casa.

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Instável na temporada, o Inter sofreu com a pressão do Brasil de Pelotas, que teve duas chances claras no começo. Em uma delas, Luis Gustavo apareceu livre na área, mas bateu em cima de Keiller. Na sequência, Da Silva mandou na trave.

>Confira a tabela do Campeonato Gaúcho!

Aos 23, o Xavante teve uma melhor oportunidade. Keiller acabou errando a saída. Com isso, Da Silva apareceu com perigo, bateu e cabeceou para fora. Pelo lado colorado, o time demorou para construir, não levando perigo para o goleiro Marcelo Pitol.

Na segunda etapa, o Internacional mudou de postura e não demorou para sair à frente do placar. Aos 3, Maurício quase marcou. Um minuto depois, Moledo foi derrubado na área, e a arbitragem marcou pênalti. Na cobrança, Pedro Henrique cobrou no escanteio de Pitol, que caiu para o outro lado.

O Brasil de Pelotas voltou a pressionar e apareceu em uma bola alçada na área do Inter, aos 12. A defesa tentou cortar, mas sobrou para Rone, que chutou para fora. Aos 21, Márcio Jonathan tentou em bola rasteira, mas Keiller defendeu. Nove minutos depois,Da Silva recebeu na área e soltou a bomba. O goleiro colorado salvou novamente.

FICHA TÉCNICA
BRASIL DE PELOTAS 0X1 INTERNACIONAL

Local: Estádio Bento Freitas, em Pelotas (RS)
Data e hora: 11/02/2023 – 20h30 (de Brasília)
Arbitragem:Wagner Silveira Echevarria
Assistentes: Jorge Eduardo Bernardi e André da Silva Bitencourt
Cartões amarelos: Luis Gustavo, Rafael Dumas, Patrick, Rone e João Marcus (Brasil de Pelotas); Vitão, Alan Patrick, Alemão, John e Pedro Henrique (Internacional)
Cartões vermelhos: –

GOLS: Pedro Henrique, aos 7’/2ºT (0-1)

BRASIL DE PELOTAS (Técnico:Rogério Zimmermann)

Marcelo Pitol;Luis Gustavo (Chicão, aos 0’/2ºT),João Marcus,Rafael Dumas eRennan Siqueira (Mário Henrique, aos 48’/2ºT);Amaral,Germano (Patrick, aos 14’/2ºT) eGuilherme Nunes (Wellington, aos 0’/2ºT);Márcio Jonatan,Rone (Guilherme Beléa, aos 29’/2ºT) eDa Silva.

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Mano Menezes)
​
Keiller;Bustos (Mário Fernandes, aos 15’/2ºT – Igor Gomes, aos 20’/2ºT),Vitão,Rodrigo Moledo eRenê;Johnny,Carlos de Pena,Maurício (Estevão, aos 34’/2ºT) eAlan Patrick (Baralhas, aos 34’/2ºT);Wanderson(Alemão, aos 35’/2ºT) ePedro Henrique.

MatériaMais Notícias

A vitória diante do São Paulo no último sábado, diante de mais de 50 mil pessoas no Morumbi, colocou novamente em evidência a grande sensação do Paulistão 2023, o São Bernardo. Este resultado deixou a equipe na condição de melhor campanha do estadual por algumas horas, posto que foi perdido após a vitória do Palmeirascontra a Ferroviária. Mesmo assim, o time do ABC Paulista não tem do que se queixar: está invicto contra os grandes; é o melhor ataque da competição (21 gols) e a segunda melhor defesa (8 gols sofridos); está 1 ponto atrás do líder geral e 6 na frente do terceiro colocado.

Por trás desta incrível campanha está um treinador jovem, de fala firme, convicto quando explica seu trabalho, e que ostenta a invejável marca de quase dois anos no comando do mesmo time, algo raro no futebol brasileiro: Marcio Zanardi, de 44 anos.

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Com larga experiência no futebol de base, o treinador dirigiu equipes como Corinthians, Guarani, Portuguesa e Santos. Chegou ao Bernô em 2021, para comandar o time Sub-20. Recebeu uma oportunidade na equipe profissional durante a Copa Paulista do mesmo ano, da qual foi campeão, e nunca mais saiu. Além do título, Marcio acumula boas campanhas pelo clube. A principal delas na Série D de 2022, quando o São Bernardo foi semifinalista e conquistou o acesso para a Série C.

Em entrevista ao LANCE!, o técnico revelou o segredo de sua equipe e criticou a fórmula de disputa do estadual. Também comentou as chances do São Bernardo no Paulistão e foi convicto ao projetar o duelo contra o Palmeiras nas quartas de final da competição: ‘O Marcio tem um plano’.

Confira a entrevista com Marcio Zanardi:

LANCE!: Em um campeonato tão disputado como o Paulistão, o São Bernardo é a grande sensação pelo bom futebol e pela campanha. Qual o segredo desta equipe?
– Estamos há quase três anos com a mesma espinha dorsal: a manutenção dos profissionais, comissão técnica e jogadores. O São Bernardo hoje é um clube empresa e a gente tem muita tranquilidade nos processos. Além, claro, de muito trabalho. Eu moro aqui dentro do CT, em Atibaia. Estamos 24 horas por dia discutindo trabalho, metodologia, processos, eu acho que isso vem junto com o que a gente acredita.

L!:Você dirige a equipe profissional do São Bernardo desde 2021. Há algo que podemos ver nos jogos que reflete essa sequência de trabalho?
– A característica do nosso time é de uma equipe leve, que gosta de ter a bola, tem um ‘perde e pressiona’ muito interessante e tem a coragem de pressionar alto independentemente do adversário. Nós criamos estes comportamentos dentro dos trabalhos, e isso é muito importante. Quando você institui alguns processos e o resultado esportivo vem junto, isso nos dá credibilidade. O treino é o jogo e o jogo é o treino. Não adianta eu cobrar deles coisas que eu não faço no dia a dia.

+ PAULISTÃO 2023: veja a classificação e simule os resultados

L!: Apesar dos bons resultados, seu trabalho só tem um título até agora, a Copa Paulista de 2021. Vocês enxergam o Paulistão deste ano como um título palpável?
– Sem dúvida. Em todos os trabalhos e processos que tivemos, a gente busca o título. Sabemos que não é fácil, mas eu preciso sempre querer mais. Claro que é muito complicado, mas a gente vem trabalhando, ao longo de todo esse campeonato, para que a gente possa chegar na final e ser campeão. Aqui no Brasil, só tem valor realmente quem consegue conquistar títulos, então a gente trabalha sempre em cima disso.

L!: Que não deveria ser assim, né…
– É verdade. Quando você consegue chegar entre os quatro, uma semifinal ou final, o trabalho está muito bem feito. Mas o Brasil é dessa forma, nem sempre o segundo ou terceiro colocado tem valor. Para nós, dentro de um clube-empresa, quando conseguimos o acesso para a série C, perdemos uma semifinal. Claro que perdemos jogadores, tiveram várias situações, mas a gente lutou para buscar o título.

L!: Já está definido que o São Bernardo enfrentará o Palmeiras nas quartas de final do Paulistão. Como essa definição antecipada ajuda na preparação de vocês? E a torcida do Palmeiras costuma dizer que, em jogos decisivos, o Abel sempre tem um plano. O Marcio também tem um plano para enfrentar o Palmeiras?
– Sim, o Marcio tem um plano. Já estudei muito o time do Palmeiras, a gente vem assistindo eles nos últimos dois anos. Se o Palmeiras der oportunidade, a gente tem uma possibilidade ainda de classificar em primeiro. Então, é importante buscar sempre vencer, mas eu tenho um plano. Para vencer o Palmeiras, uma das melhores equipes do continente nos últimos anos, a gente precisa de uma estratégia. Você não vai jogar contra ninguém, é contra o Palmeiras.

+ MERCADO DA BOLA: veja as últimas movimentações do seu time

L!: Sobre a busca pela primeira posição geral, o São Bernardo tem a segunda melhor campanha geral, acima dos grandes, e ainda assim pode se classificar para o mata-mata com a desvantagem de jogar fora de casa. Como você enxerga esse regulamento? É necessária uma mudança para fazer justiça aos clubes menores?
– No início do ano, tivemos um congresso técnico, com todos os treinadores e dirigentes na Federação Paulista. Foi pedida a nossa opinião e todos foram pela mudança do regulamento. Não só pelas melhores campanhas mas, como eu posso brigar por classificação com Palmeiras e Santo André se eu não jogo contra eles no meu grupo? Então, nós sugerimos várias situações: classificar os oito primeiros, por exemplo, e o primeiro enfrenta o oitavo. Eu também acho que isso seria o mais justo e mais correto. Mas as decisões são feitas pelos dirigentes, a gente não tem essa autonomia. Fica o gostinho de que, se fosse diferente, poderíamos enfrentar uma outra equipe (no mata-mata), classificar melhor ou até mesmo decidir em casa.

L!: Pensando nas competições nacionais deste ano, qual a expectativa para o São Bernardo na Copa do Brasil e na Série C?
– Na Copa do Brasil, é importante você ir passando de fase. Eu sempre falei que o São Bernardo precisa se acostumar a disputar jogos grandes, e a Copa do Brasil vai nos dar isso. Com relação à Série C, nós vamos buscar o título para, quem sabe, em 2024 já disputar uma Série B. Esse é o nosso pensamento: ir cada vez mais longe dentro da Copa do Brasil e buscar o acesso da C para a B ainda em 2023.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including an extended streak of goal contributions

Heading into this international break, manager Mauricio Pochettini will be keeping a close eye on which of his U.S. men's national team stars are in good form. Finding that form early in the season is as much about mentality as it is about talent. Who returned from the summer ready to go? Who returned with a point to prove – and the ability to prove it?

Pochettino should like what he sees. It was another weekend with plenty of goals, but one with some lows, too.

The Championship remains the league to watch for American fans as key USMNT attackers continue to rack up numbers. Sergino Dest, meanwhile, is doing the same in the Eredivisie. It was a tough weekend, though, for other stars, as Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Johnny Cardoso saw their side slump to frustrating results.

With the September squad set to be announced this week, all eyes will soon be on USMNT duty.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.

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  Sargent impossible to ignore

  Only Pochettino knows why he left Josh Sargent off the Gold Cup squad. He described it as an "football decision," and fair enough. Pochettino clearly wanted a look at other players this summer, and Sargent was a victim of that.

  Pochettino, though, has to be absolutely thrilled with Sargent's response. It's been about as emphatic as possible. 

  It's four games, four goals for Sargent now, three of which have come in the Championship. He's gotten on the board in each of Norwich's four competitive fixtures and, despite mixed results, Sargent continues to show he's likely the Championship's most reliable goalscorer.

  The latest came in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough, and in another game in which Sargent saw little of the ball. He had just 25 touches, the fewest of any player that went the full 90. But despite that, he got his goal and completed more dribbles (three) than anyone else on the field. Sargent, to put it lightly, is making a lot out of a little.

  It's been impressive, and Pochettino will certainly be getting a look at it up close this fall, as Sargent has made himself impossible to ignore.

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  Wright won't be outdone

  Not to be outdone by Sargent, Haji Wright has been equally as dominant this season. And, while Norwich haven't been able to make the most of Sargent's goals, Coventry City certainly have.

  The club made it two wins out of three this weekend, and did it in style as they ran over QPR in a 7-1 win. Wright scored twice in that win, netting in the 12th and 37th minutes to trigger the avalanche that was to come. With those goals, Wright has three in the Championship for the season, having also scored in last weekend's 5-3 win over Derby County.

  It's early days, yes, but Coventry have clearly been the Championship's most gung-ho team, with Wright playing a huge part in making that happen. Just as Sargent has made his case for a USMNT spot, so too, has Wright, who was unlucky to suffer an injury early into his Gold Cup run. That's behind him, paving the way for a USMNT return soon.

• AFP
  

  Dest raises the bar again

  Another week, another goal contribution, and that makes Sergino Dest the most interesting player in the USMNT pool heading towards the international break.

  In four appearances, including the Supercup to open the season, Dest now has two goals and an assist, not to mention a direct contribution to an own goal in the one game where he didn't log an official contribution. His most recent came on Saturday, as he set up Esmir Bajraktarevic's finish just after halftime, helping PSV to a 4-2 win over Groningen.

  Dest wasn't the only American story in that match. Ricardo Pepi made his long-awaited return from a knee injury, coming off the bench, getting five minutes and a few touches under his belt. PSV missed both Pepi and Dest down the stretch last season and, while the former may not quite be ready, the latter is looking like one of the most dangerous weapons in the Eredivisie.

  That all comes as Dest nears the end of an extended USMNT absence, one that should likely end in just a few short days. Pochettino will have no worries about his fitness, confidence or form, though, as Dest is playing arguably the best soccer of his career.

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  Pulisic can't save another bad day for Milan

  This wasn't the start Milan would have imagined. Starting the season at home against lowly Cremonese fresh off a Coppa Italia win last weekend, Milan were huge favorites. They were also, in the end, the losing side.

  Milan conceded a goal in either half, ultimately losing, 2-1, to the newly-promoted side. It was a blow to a Milan team that, after finishing eighth last season, certainly wanted to start this new era in the right way. Instead, it was more of the same, if not worse.

  Pulisic was one of the few bright spots, providing nearly all of Milan's attacking danger. He created four chances, a few of which could have ended up as goals if Santi Gimenez was more clinical, while firing a shot on target himself. 

  This failure, meanwhile, was historic. This was Milan's first loss to Cremonese at home since October 1925. An imperfect stat, yes, given the trajectories of the two clubs in the 100 years since, but it does show just how unprecedented, and unexpected, this poor start was.

  There's once again a lot of work to do in Milan and, even with Pulisic at his best, sometimes that isn't enough.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em uma equipe formada por nove jogadores que nunca defenderam antes a Seleção Brasileira, uma ausência foi sentida por Ederson: a de Alisson.

Na entrevista concedida após o treino do selecionado de Ramon Menezes nesta terça-feira (21), visando o amistoso do próximo sábado (25) contra o Marrocos, às 19h (de Brasília), o goleiro do Manchester City disse ter ficado surpreso com a ausência nos convocados do colega de posição do Liverpool, titular do Brasil nas últimas duas Copas do Mundo.

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– No primeiro momento em que eu vi a lista eu estranhei, mas é a decisão do treinador. São escolhas, eu pensava que ele estaria na lista, mas não esteve, não sei o motivo, se é questão de oportunidades a jogadores mais jovens. Mas temos que trabalhar, dar nosso melhor, a cada dia surge um bom jogador novo que pode assumir essa responsabilidade também.

Além de Ederson, o interino Ramon levou para a disputa do jogo em Tânger, no país africano, Mycael, do Athletico-PR, e Weverton, do Palmeiras.

Tamanha a renovação feita pelo treinador na primeira convocação após a queda brasileira nas quartas de final do Mundial do Qatar, ano passado, para a Croácia, que Ederson desponta como o nome mais experiente da lista, com 29 anos.

Por tudo isso, o goleiro reforçou a importância da integração entre veteranos e jovens para o bom ambiente da Seleção.

– Os estreantes ainda estão se soltando. Hoje possivelmente vai ter as boas-vindas para eles se apresentarem e cantarem para a gente. Isso faz parte do roteiro. São garotos com muita qualidade, os que já vinham no ciclo anterior também têm total capacidade para manter (o rendimento) – elogiou.

Com mais de cinco anos de Seleção, Ederson reforça que a união do grupo é fundamental para o sucesso coletivo e que é esse espírito que ele deseja ver nos dias de preparação no Marrocos.

– Se a gente mantiver o grupo unido, como sempre fizemos durante todos os anos em que estive na Seleção, para mim será a melhor lição que vou tirar de todo esse ciclo. Eu acho que um grupo unido e alegre é capaz de conquistar muitas coisas. É claro que no futebol estamos sujeitos a derrotas, empates e vitórias. O torcedor não entende dessa maneira. Mas eu, como jogador, entendo e sei lidar bem com essas situações porque a vida do jogador de futebol é assim.

+Seleção Brasileira: com grupo completo, Ramon Menezes esboça time titular para amistoso contra Marrocos

+’Vou ajudar ele a vir o mais rápido possível’, brinca Éderson sobre chegada de Ancelotti à Seleção Brasileira

Three former Red Devils coaches have now been fired in the space of a few days amid what was another wild week around the continent

It's still very early days across Europe's top leagues, but some very interesting narratives are already emerging in Spain, Italy, Germany, France – and all across the continent, in fact.

Napoli, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all made flawless starts to their respective title defences, but Barcelona have allowed Real Madrid to steal an early march on them in La Liga – while Atletico Madrid are in an even worse predicament.

As usual, the latest round of action has provided us with plenty of talking points, so let's get straight into it with the biggest winners and losers from the weekend's games…

WINNER: Joao Neves

Joao Neves's hat-trick in Paris Saint-Germain's 6-3 win at Toulouse on Saturday may not have been technically 'perfect', but it did earn the Portuguese one of those very rare perfect 10 ratings from .

"It's not just the three goals," PSG coach Luis Enrique coach told his club's media channel, "but the way he scored them." Indeed, the first two were over-head kicks scored after teeing the ball up for himself with his chest – which is just ridiculous – while his third was a thunderous strike from outside the area.

Given Luis Enrique believes that finishing is something Neves needs to improve, the Benfica product was unsurprisingly feeling pretty pleased with himself after matching his Ligue 1 tally for the entire 2024-25 season just three games into the current campaign.

"Over-head kicks are something I practice in training," he revealed, "and it paid off tonight!"

If Neves adds regular goals to his already outstanding game, it really won't be long before the 20-year-old is regarded as the finest central midfielder in world football – because he wasn't far off as it was. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: Ex-Man Utd managers

A matter of hours after Besiktas failed to qualify for the Conference League proper, having already been dumped out of the Europa League, the Turkish outfit sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after just eight months in charge. The following morning, another Super Lig side, Fenerbahce, announced that they had parted company with Jose Mourinho – just two days after their Champions League elimination by Benfica in Lisbon.

Remarkably, the last three permanent Manchester United managers are now out of work, with Erik ten Hag having been dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen on Monday. The Dutchman only officially took over from Xabi Alonso on July 1 but he's paid the price for the 2023-24 double winners' disastrous start to the new Bundesliga season.

After opening with a 2-1 loss at home to Hoffenheim, Leverkusen were held to a 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday – despite twice holding a two-goal lead while Werder played the final quarter of the match with just 10 men.

Ten Hag pointed to the fact that there has been an awful lot of upheaval at the Bay Arena over the summer (which is undeniably true) and that his revamped team would need time to gel. He also claimed that some of his players were not in good physical condition. However, the writing was on the wall for Ten Hag as soon as captain Robert Andrich publicly revealed that the squad simply wasn't united and that many of his team-mates "are concerned only with themselves" – which obviously reflected horribly on the coach.

There were also reports that some Leverkusen directors had been left less than impressed with the former Ajax coach's communication skills and motivational powers, making Ten Hag's embarrassingly early exit almost inevitable. 

AFPLOSER: Diego Simeone

Just like Ten Hag, Diego Simeone makes our list of losers for the second time this season. Of course, unlike Ten Hag, Simeone has an enormous amount of credit in the bank at Atletico Madrid. However, it's very telling that the Argentine is already calling for "time and patience" after watching his team draw 1-1 at Alaves on Saturday.

The result means that Atleti are still waiting for their first win of the season and, with just two points on the board after three rounds, they currently sit 17th in the Liga standings – which is nowhere near good enough for a club that has spent approximately €180m on new players in each of the past two summer transfer windows.

What's particularly worrying is that the Rojiblancos' performances have been as disappointing as the results and, as Simeone matter-of-factly pointed out, "It's difficult to win while playing badly."

The two-time Liga winner is adamant that his team will come good, but the home game against Villarreal immediately after the international break – which comes four days before a Champions League trip to Anfield – is already looking like a must-win game for Atleti, who were meant to mount a sustained title challenge this season.

"I trust the guys who have come in," Simeone insisted. "We're going to keep working, and with hard work, we'll start picking up points." That needs to happen sooner rather than later. Otherwise Simeone will find himself facing some seriously awkward questions about his future.

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Getty Images SportWINNER: Cremonese

Four teams in Serie A boast 100 percent winning records. Incredibly, Cremonese are one of them.

The Grigiorossi were in the second tier last season and only came up through the play-offs – but new coach David Nicola masterminded a magnificent opening weekend win over AC Milan at San Siro that came courtesy of a stunning scissors-kick from Federico Bonazzoli.

Then, on Friday, Cremonese went top of the table (for 24 hours) after beating fellow newcomers Sassuolo 3-2 with a 93rd-minute penalty from Manuel De Luca.

"In Milan, we didn't expect to take home all three points," Nicola admitted to . "We achieved more than expected. But, tonight, I asked the team to be competitive and we produced a lot, so I think the victory was fair and deserved. We're not yet at our best physically, but I saw the right attitude, and it's a win that makes us happy. We're a team under construction, and we need to improve in everything, but we're only at the beginning."

It certainly feels like the start of something special, given Cremonese are also on the verge of signing Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy. For a club that's never won a major honour and is probably still best known for producing Gianluca Vialli, these really are crazy days.

Serie A champions Napoli have signed Rasmus Hojlund on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

• Napoli sign Hojlund on initial loan
• Serie A club have conditional obligation to buy
• Hojlund surplus to requirements at Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hojlund moves to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in a deal which also includes a conditional obligation to buy next summer for €44 million (£38m/$51m), according to The Athletic. The report claims the clause will be activated if Napoli qualify for the Champions League next season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Denmark international Hojlund was surplus to requirements at United after being left out of the squad for their opening four Premier League fixtures. The 22-year-old, who scored 10 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions in 2024-25, had previously expressed his desire to stay and fight for a place at Old Trafford.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Hojlund's switch to Napoli will see him reunite with former United team-mate Scott McTominay, who has been a revelation since moving to Italy in the summer of 2024. The Scotland midfielder scored 12 goals in 34 Serie A appearances in 2024-25 as Antonio Conte's men pipped Inter to the league title.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI AND MAN UTD?

  Hojlund could make his debut when Napoli take on Fiorentina in the league on September 13, following the conclusion of the international break. Meanwhile United are next in action when they face rivals Manchester City in the derby on September 14.