Liverpool have reached an agreement to point Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Iraola is expected to be officially confirmed as Liverpool boss by the end of the week following positive discussions with sporting director Richard Hughes, who also pointed Iraola at AFC Bournemouth in 2023.

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The Anfield hierarchy is targeting a more aggressive, front-footed brand of soccer following the departure of Arne Slot, who was dismissed on Saturday.

Iraola quickly became the leading candidate to replace the Dutchman on the basis of his impressive work at Bournemouth, which he led to a sixth-place finish last term.

Sources told ESPN that Iraola is set to sign a two-year deal, which aligns with his preference across his coaching career for signing short deals.

There has been speculation that Liverpool will turn to an ex-player to form part of the coaching staff next season, however sources told ESPN no such proaches have yet been made.

Iraola has already received backing from Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who told TNT Sports: “I think he’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool.

“But let’s not beat around the bush. Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world.

“So I don’t think he’ll be the only name on the table. But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of board level, they will know him very well.

“But then there’s other names out there as well that I’m sure will want that Liverpool job. It’s a huge job in world football.

“But potentially to answer your question, I think he should be in the conversation, yes.”

Slot was dismissed from his role after two seasons in charge at Anfield. The former Feyenoord boss led the Reds to the Premier League title in his first season at the club in 2024-25 but was unable to replicate that success this term, with the club finishing the campaign in fifth place.

A judge at the Old Bailey has fined UK Athletics £350,000 with £44,000 in costs after hearing how a paralympic athlete died when equipment fell on him at a training ground in east London.

Shot-putter Abdullah Hayayei was killed when a metal cage collsed as he prepared for the World Para-athletics Championships in 2017.

He had previously represented the United Arab Emirates at the Rio Paralympics when he competed in the javelin and shot put.

Judge Richard Marks KC described Mr Hayayei’s death as “tragic, untimely and wholly avoidable.”

He also handed UKA’s former head of sport, 79-year-old Keith Davies, a 175-hour community service order after hearing how he was in charge of the equipment, which had been assembled with vital base plates missing.

The court heard how a strong gust of wind had collsed the cage and Mr Hayayei had died of head injuries after being hit by a heavy metal bar.

The athlete was a 36-year-old wheelchair user who lived with cerebral palsy.

The court heard from his widow Badriah, who said his death had left her coping alone with five young children.

UK Athletics had pleaded guilty to a charge of corporate manslaughter at an earlier hearing in February. Mr Davies pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety law at the same hearing.

The investigation and legal process following Mr Hayayei’s death has taken nearly a decade to complete.

Police said their investigation had involved years of meticulous work by detectives which uncovered photos from around a dozen athletics events where the same cage had been used by the UK Athletics officials. They showed the restraints were not being used to secure the equipment.

Sentencing, Judge Marks said Mr Hayayei’s death was an accident which sooner or later was “waiting to hpen”.

Earlier in the hearing, Prosecutor John Price KC told the court that in the years following the incident, UKA attempted to blame the athlete’s death on Mr Davies, and even “tried to point the finger” at the Newham venue.

He described a statement later submitted by UKA as “a deeply unworthy document by a national sporting body and one of which it should be ashamed”.

Fining UKA, the judge agreed that it had been “most unattractive” but it was “a stance” that was adopted by their previous team of managers.

It had been disavowed by the current leaders of the organisation who had expressed “sincere regret”.

UKA, he said, is essentially “a club of passionate members” and was aimed at developing elite athletes and sport at a grassroots level.

He noted that the organisation had a turnover of £13.8m in 2025 with a projected loss of £400,000. He granted UKA six years to pay the fine in instalments.

In a statement, UK Athletics said it was “deeply sorry” and that “substantial changes” have been made around safety and governance.

“While nothing can undo what hpened, there has been a determined focus on learning from these events and ensuring stronger standards and safeguards are in place throughout athletics,” UK Athletics said.

“We respectfully accept the court’s decision today and remain committed to continuing that work with the seriousness and responsibility this case demands.”

Barcelona could move for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane if a deal for Atlético Madrid‘s Julián Álvarez falls through, while Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keeping an eye on Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is emerging as a viable alternative for Barcelona if a move for Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez falls through, as reported by Sport. A €65 million release clause in the England international’s contract has run out, but Bayern would be open to starting negotiations at €80 million. The 32-year-old would reportedly be interested in a move to Camp Nou and there have been inquiries with his representatives after Robert Lewandowski left as a free agent this summer.

– Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keeping an eye on developments regarding Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, as reported by The Mirror. The 28-year-old’s future is uncertain due to a breakdown in communication between the Red Devils and Barcelona, who have an option to sign him for €30 million after his loan, but now want to re-negotiate after signing Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon for an initial €70 million. However, Man United won’t accept any change to the deal and are considering turning their backs on the Blaugrana.

– Manchester United and Arsenal have asked for information on AC Milan winger Rafael Leão, as reported by Nicolo Schira. The 26-year-old is ready to leave the Rossoneri during the summer transfer window, despite his contract running until 2028 and a release clause of €175 million, and he would like to play in the Premier League. Even so, no offers have been made to sign the Portugal international yet.

– Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have both reached out about a possible move for Chelsea left back Marc Cucurella, as reported by The Athletic. Real Madrid are also looking for a left back and like the 27-year-old, but it is unclear if they will make a move or have the finances to. Any Barca transfer would depend on another defender leaving Camp Nou, while Cucurella is high on Atlético’s wishlist. The Spain international is willing to leave Stamford Bridge after a frustrating season where Chelsea finished 10th, but the Blues are relaxed because he has three years left on his contract.

– Real Madrid want to sign a right back this summer with Internazionale‘s Denzel Dumfries, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Sporting CP‘s Iván Fresneda among those being looked at, reports Fabrizio Romano. Elsewhere, Sport has suggested that Dumfries, who has a €25 million release clause that activates in July, was also mentioned informally during a meeting between Barcelona and his agent Ali Barat, although the 30-year-old isn’t a priority for the Blaugrana and a move would only be possible if Jules Koundé leaves. That is the case for any defensive signings due to Eric García‘s versatility.

OTHER RUMORS

– Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes but the deal would cost £80 million. (Times)

– Atletico Madrid have enquired about Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who is also a priority for Manchester United. (AS)

– Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have both made enquiries about Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli. (TEAMtalk)

– Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Como are all among the clubs interested in Ferran Torres amid doubts about the forward’s Barcelona future. (TEAMtalk)

– Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig have held several meetings about signing Yan Diomande and the €100 million-rated winger has given his proval to join. (Footmercato)

– Massimiliano Allegri wants to take AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot with him when he joins Noli, but the futures of Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa need to be sorted first. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Manchester City and Bayern Munich have both enquired about Chelsea right back Malo Gusto, having been alerted to the possibility that he could leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. (TEAMtalk)

– Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is set for talks about a free transfer back to Borussia Dortmund following his loan at Aston Villa. (Football Insider)

– Kang-in Lee and Goncalo Ramos both plan to leave Paris Saint-Germain to get more game time, with Atletico Madrid having asked about both months ago. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Chelsea have rejected proaches for defender Josh Acheampong from two Premier League clubs and others across Europe. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Newcastle United want Atalanta right back Marco Palestra but face competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and Internazionale. (Daily Mail)

– Bayern Munich have started talks with PSV Eindhoven winger Ismael Saibari after missing out on Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon to Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Jan Oblak‘s time at Atletico Madrid could come to an end, with the Saudi Pro League a possible option for the goalkeeper. (Marca)

– Getafe have asked for information on Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who could leave Como during the summer transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)

A beaming Matteo Berrettini said tennis is the “love of my life” after reaching a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time in almost four years.

The 30-year-old beat Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) and is one of three Italians in the last eight – the first time this has hpened in the Open era, despite world number one Jannik Sinner exiting in the second round.

Flavio Cobolli, the 10th seed, beat Zachary Svajda in four sets while Matteo Arnaldi spent more than five hours on court to beat 19th seed Frances Tiafoe.

Arnaldi, the world number 104, will play Berrettini in his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, guaranteeing at least one Italian – and one player ranked outside the top 100 – will reach the last four.

Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, reached a career-high world number six in 2022 but has slipped to 105th in the rankings after being plagued by injuries and fitness problems.

“[Tennis] is the love of my life, if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be here,” Berrettini said.

“After all the setbacks, all the injuries, all the bad moments, I came back once again.

“There were moments where it was really tough to come back and play, because I wasn’t ready and I wasn’t sure about my confidence – now I feel great.”

Berrettini is the lowest-ranked Roland Garros quarter-finalist since Igor Andreev in 2007.

U.S. Soccer has a new home. Situated on a 200-acre site south of Atlanta, the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center officially opened its doors in early May, marking a new chter for the country’s soccer federation.

Currently hosting the U.S. men’s national team as it prepares for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, the NTC boasts 17 outdoor playing surfaces, 20 locker rooms, 19 meeting rooms, two indoor courts, a 10,000-square-foot gym, and more, in a space that has more than 400,000 square feet of facilities and hundreds of staff, all of it tailored to players’ every need.

“It is best in the world, in my opinion,” then-sporting director Matt Crocker told ESPN earlier this year, before departing the federation in ril. “It’s going to be pretty incredible from our national teams’ perspectives, but obviously also coach education, refereeing, community usage; we want it to be the home of soccer in America.”

With ambitious goals to become a “catalyst” for everyone who walks through its doors, there’s much that the NTC hopes to achieve, from supporting the likes of Christian Pulisic at this World Cup, to creating opportunities and memories for local organizations that will be able to use the center.

In order to get a better sense of the facility, ESPN spoke with Crocker, among others, about the inner workings of the NTC: how it was established, what it hopes to accomplish, and notably, how it can support soccer nationally and locally.

Finding a home in Atlanta

Before the opening of the NTC, U.S. Soccer was, as Crocker put it, a “traveling circus.” Players and staff would regularly rely on rented facilities to prepare for matches, and although they do have a small space in Southern California that was opened in collaboration with the LA Galaxy, its primary use is for the MLS club.

There’s a similar development center in Kansas City, built within Sporting Kansas City‘s training grounds. The federation’s former headquarters was in Chicago.

Opening up the NTC wasn’t just about having a landing spot for national team players; it was also about having a true headquarters for everyone. According to U.S. Soccer, the federation will have more than 350 employees on site daily.

“All of our national coaches, all of our high-performance staff, all of our administrative staff are now based in Atlanta,” said Crocker, whose successor at U.S. Soccer has yet to be named.

When researching possible sites, a few things worked in favor of Atlanta: direct flight options from a major airport nearby, an East Coast location within reach for opponents and players from abroad, and suitable year-round weather. Coupled with a $50 million donation from local NFL/MLS owner Arthur Blank, corporate sponsors (like Atlanta’s Coca-Cola) and land donated by Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy, ground was broken on the site in 2024.

Now open, many have marveled at the size of the new and permanent home that’s much larger than their co-shared facilities in Los Angeles.

“It’s a huge, huge space. We’re just under 400,000 square feet under roof,” said NTC general manager Tom Norton. “Even just running down the hall to grab a coffee takes a little bit.”

‘There will be soccer here almost every day’

U.S. Soccer is, of course, much more than just the senior national teams from the men’s and women’s programs. And while they get most of the media and fan attention, especially ahead of World Cups, they represent just two of 27 national teams that will get to utilize the NTC.

“The one key when we’re talking about the soccer fields and gyms that’s important to remember is now we can host more than one team at a time, so we have 20 locker rooms; we don’t just have a locker room, we have 20,” Norton said. “There will be soccer here almost every day.”

When listing what he hoped to achieve with the NTC, Crocker first noted that he wanted “no stone unturned” when it came to a player-first proach that will provide anything that’s needed for all 27 teams.

That includes the nine “extended national teams,” that have been front of mind for U.S. Soccer when it came to making the NTC accessible. Some of the details noted by the federation: elevated viewing decks for wheelchairs, dedicated areas to charge chairs for power soccer, customized locker rooms and tactile audio/visual designs.

Another thing Crocker hopes to achieve is “to become almost like the Harvard of coach education and refereeing.”

Along with players, coaches and referees can enroll in courses at the center. According to Crocker, the idea is to have education that will run throughout the year. Others from state associations and local teams will also be invited in.

“It gives us an opportunity to make sure that this facility is operational 365 days of the year, and whether that’s through games, through training opportunities, through education opportunities,” Crocker said. “We want the facility to feel like buzzy and full all the time, not just when the national teams are in.”

No longer a “traveling circus,” all 27 national teams, and guests, will now be under one roof.

“When you have a home, you’re able to do more,” Norton said. “It’s just going to feel more comfortable … which will allow us to focus more on getting better on the field and growing the game.”

Bringing in the locals

At the national level, the potential benefits are clear for U.S. Soccer. In addition, its impact is already felt locally.

“It really puts the spotlight on soccer in Georgia,” said Neil McNab, the executive director of Atlanta’s Rush Union Soccer, which runs teams for boys and girls. “It also means that the best of the best, not just in players, but coaches, referees, the brightest minds in our game, will be drawn to our area.”

McNab, who said that local youth players have already been invited in for events, recently visited to help support a “soccer in schools” initiative.

“There’s so much going on,” he said. “If they’re doing a coaching education or trying to build out some resources, they need players and coaches to go and execute, and that’s what’s already beginning.”

Jim Walker, executive director of the Georgia State Soccer Association, highlighted that his group will get a chance to host its semiannual general meeting at the building this summer.

“We’re taking advantage of that right away,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to bring our members in to see the NTC.”

Although there are no guarantees just yet, Walker also remarked on the possibility of fielding the organization’s “State Cup” tournament at the new center.

“At a state association level, there may be opportunities for State Cup, there may be opportunities for [the Olympic development program], coaching education, referee training, a lot of those things that ordinarily we’re doing anyway, but we’re doing it at local high schools and whatnot right now,” Walker said. “We’ve got a really cool crown jewel, so to speak, that we can host these things at.”

Locally and at the national level, time will tell the true impact the NTC will make. Gauging its role in soccer development is something that will need to be measured over years, if not decades.

What does remain true, though, after just a few weeks, is the enthusiasm that’s emerging from those who have seen the “crown jewel” up close.

“There’s an aura around the complex,” McNab said. “[You] get excited about what’s still to come, because this is not the end line. This is not the finish line. This is a starting point.”