Wolverhampton Wanderers have “spoken” to representatives of Erik ten Hag regarding their vacant managerial role and his stance on the position has now been made clear.

After 10 games in the Premier League this season, Wolves have acquired two points from an available 30. Without a win in those matches, Vitor Pereira was sacked following a 3-0 loss to Fulham, despite the Portuguese having signed a new contract just weeks earlier.

Wolves will, no doubt, hope to make a swift appointment to replace Pereira. The Old Gold have an interim manager in place for their game against Chelsea in the shape of James Collins, as they consider a wide range of options who could succeed Pereira.

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards appears to be the top target for Wolves, even though Boro are reluctant to let Edwards, who only joined in the summer, depart for Molineux, where he has spent time as both a coach and player.

According to Football Insider, however, the club are seemingly interested in bringing one particular manager back to the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag open to Wolves role

Recent reports have indicated that not only have Wolves spoken with ten Hag’s representatives, but that the Dutchman would be “interested in speaking to Wolves about the job”.

No stranger to the Premier League, ten Hag moved from Ajax to Manchester United in 2022. Across the following two years, he won an EFL Cup and FA Cup, but struggled to enjoy much consistent success in both domestic and European football.

Sacked in 2024, ten Hag spent almost a year without a job until being hired by Bayer Leverkusen to replace Xabi Alonso in the summer of 2025. After taking charge of just three matches for the German side, however, ten Hag was sacked and remains a free agent.

Though recent seasons have not been the kindest for ten Hag, he remains a well-thought of coach. Thierry Henry, as per Manchester Evening News, has spoken positively of the Dutchman in the past.

The next Wolves manager must have a quick start at Molineux, due to the club’s current predicament in the league. As somebody who is “firmly in the running,” ten Hag would certainly be a bold appointment, given the misfortunes he suffered both at the end of his tenure at Man United and with Leverkusen.

"One of the best men" in football considered by Wolves

While the November international break was one for the ages as teams around the globe kept their World Cup dreams alive in dramatic circumstances, the return of club football marks a magic time in the calendars of many fans, as it means we are now at the beginning of four uninterrupted months of club action. This is when narratives truly take form, with teams able to build momentum and set off on potentially season-defining runs.

Of course there will be those for whom an unhappy winter is only just beginning, and the relentless nature of the modern fixture list means there could be plenty of dark times ahead for some fanbases. However, given the action we saw upon the resumption of leagues around Europe, it's hard not to be excited by what's to come over the next weeks and months.

For now, though, here's our 10 biggest winners and losers from the past couple of days…

• AFP
  

  WINNER: Eberechi Eze

  Back in the middle of August, Tottenham fans were gearing up to welcome Eberechi Eze to north London after widespread reports that Spurs were closing in on a deal to sign the Crystal Palace midfielder. Fast-forward three months, and those same supporters could only watch on in horror as Eze scored a superb hat-trick to decide the north London derby in Arsenal's favour and further tighten the Gunners' grip on the Premier League title race.

  Arsenal's last-minute hijack of Eze's Tottenham switch was one of the most dramatic moments of the summer transfer window, and the England international has gradually grown into his role at the Emirates Stadium, most notably by stepping into the shoes of injured captain Martin Odegaard. And it was from that position on the right side of Mikel Arteta's midfield three where Eze did his damage on Sunday as he continually found space on the edge of the penalty area to cause problems for the Spurs defence.

  Eze set the tone for his virtuoso performance with a delicious chipped ball for Declan Rice to volley towards goal in the opening couple of minutes, and while Guglielmo Vicario could keep out that effort, he was powerless to stop Eze when he got into shooting positions either side of half-time. Eze showed unerring accuracy with his finishing, and by the end of the game was showing off his full array of flicks and tricks as the Gunners moved six points clear at the top of the table.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WINNER: Michael Olise

  Perhaps Eze was inspired by the performance of one of his former Palace team-mates just over 24 hours earlier? Michael Olise has taken his game to a new level since leaving Selhurst Park to join Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, emerging as one of the most creative forwards in Europe while also forcing his way into the France line up during World Cup qualifying.

  On Saturday, however, it looked like it might be a long afternoon for Olise and his Bayern team-mates as they went 2-0 down at home to Freiburg inside the opening 17 minutes. From there, though, the ex-Reading youngster took over, as he first provided the assist for teenager Lennart Karl to pull one back before equalising himself in first-half stoppage time with a drilled effort from the edge of the box.

  After the break, it was Olise's corner which found an unmarked Dayot Upamecano to volley Bayern into the lead, and after Harry Kane had netted his customary goal, Olise danced through the Freiburg defence to set up Nicolas Jackson for goal number five. And Olise wasn't done there, either, as he rounded out the scoring with a superb individual strike after cutting inside from the right wing.

  His five goal contributions at the weekend takes Olise's tally to 22 combined goals and assists in just 23 appearances for club and country so far this season, and the 23-year-old still has plenty of room to improve even further. For now, though, his focus will turn to midweek and a reunion with Eze as Bayern take on Arsenal in a heavyweight Champions League clash.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  LOSER: Liverpool

  Back in the Premier League, and while Arsenal edge further clear at the top, the reigning English champions' sorry season hit a new low on Saturday as Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Boos rang down from the Kop as the Reds lost their sixth league game of the campaign already, leaving them languishing in the bottom half of the table just six months on from the joyous scenes that greeted them securing the title back in May.

  Successive wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid suggested Arne Slot's side had turned a corner ahead of the international break, but defeat to Manchester City has now been followed up by an embarrassing loss to Sean Dyche's side that has caused some to start questioning whether Slot possesses the tactical acumen to reverse this slide or if a new manager needs to be sought if things do not turn around.

  "We're definitely letting the manager down, but we've let ourselves down as well," said captain Virgil van Dijk as he tried to ease the pressure on his compatriot and coach. "At the moment it is a mess – that's just a fact. As the champions we can't be in the situation we are in right now."

  A 'mess' is an understatement. Liverpool aren't just the defending champions – they are also a team that spent over £400 million on bolstering their squad, led by the British-record acquisition of Alexander Isak, who returned to the line up on Saturday but mustered just 15 touches in another anonymous display. Isak is now the first Liverpool player to taste defeat on each of his first four league starts for the club, but he is far from the only person to blame for Liverpool's predicament, and right now it's difficult to see a route out of this for Slot and co.

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  LOSER: Phil Foden

  Given their own collapse last season, Manchester City know how Liverpool are feeling, but right now Pep Guardiola's side should be more focused on whether they can get themselves back into the title picture after Saturday's damaging defeat at Newcastle. Having got themselves to within four points of the Gunners heading into the international break, City slipped up on Tyneside thanks in large part to some miserable finishing.

  Phil Foden wasn't the only culprit in that regard, but there's no doubt that his chances to score – especially the one he spurned in the first half – were the most presentable, and the homegrown midfielder would have expected to have found the net at least once. Instead, Foden was left to rue a missed chance to not only boost City's title hopes but also his own chances of playing a key role at the World Cup this summer.

  Foden returned to the England squad for their games against Serbia and Albania, but had to make do with appearances off the bench on both occasions, suggesting he remains behind both Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers in the pecking order. And so on a weekend when both his main rivals for a starting role with the Three Lions, as well as Eze, showcased their abilities in front of goal, Foden was left wanting.

The New York Yankees took on the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game on Tuesday. Before the game got underway, Phillies infielder Kody Clemens shared a heartwarming moment with his father Roger Clemens.

Ahead of the afternoon's first pitch, Roger and Kody met at home plate to exchange the game's lineup cards. It was a cool moment between the father and son, who took part in the pregame tradition usually reserved for the managers.

Roger, who was appointed as a guest instructor for Yankees pitchers in spring training, took to social media to express his joy over the moment in its aftermath, while also thanking Phillies manager Rob Thomson and Yankees skipper Aaron Boone for enabling him to share the sweet moment with his son.

"Don’t know if it was a first time event that a Father / Son exchanged line up cards or not. But I can tell you that it sure was a treat for “The Rocket” doing that with the Kid! Thanks again to “Boonie” (Aaron Boone) and “Topper” (Rob Thomson) for making it happen!" wrote Clemens on X.

To answer his question, it was not the first time a father and son exchanged lineup cards, as Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker and his son Darren did so during a Grapefruit League game in 2022.

Although Roger and the Yankees came away from Tuesday's game with a 12–3 win, Kody collected a hit and scored a run across two at-bats in the contest.

All in all, a pretty awesome day for the Clemens clan.

Newcastle United have been sculpted into a force over the past four years. Eddie Howe has been the architect of this staggering rise, qualifying twice for the Champions League inside three seasons and, last year, beating Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup.

The summer transfer window was a testing one for many reasons, but United have assembled a group of players ready to compete at the highest level once again.

But there’s no question that there’s work to be done. After all, the Toon sit 14th in the Premier League, and new signings are still bedding in.

But there’s so much world-class talent at Howe’s disposal, and the manager and his side’s success in tying down Sandro Tonali to a new contract is evidence of how mighty St. James’ Park is becoming.

Sandro Tonali's new contract at Newcastle

It has come to light that Tonali secretly signed a contract extension at Newcastle during his betting ban, meaning his new deal runs until 2029, with the club holding the power to activate a one-year extension.

The Italy international is now set to star at Newcastle for many years to come, and if interest does heat up, the Toon will hold all the cards concerning a player who has blended athleticism with intelligence and technical grace to become “one of the best footballers to ever play for Newcastle”, according to one prominent online supporter.

The bond he has forged with Bruno Guimaraes in the centre of St. James’ Park is a thing to behold. Together, they are supercharging Howe’s system, piecing together this next stage in Howe’s project, so the recent success will not be remembered as a flash in the pan.

Though the 25-year-old suffered through some adversity at the start of his career in England, he has since repaid the £55m investment and then some, good enough to become the next £100m+ sale.

The loss of Alexander Isak to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions? That one stung. But Newcastle banked a record-breaking £125m cheque for the departure of their former talisman.

And, whisper it quietly, but the Sweden striker’s sale has been cushioned and then some by the redirection of the funds.

Howe's latest Newcastle superstar

He’s the talk of the Toon. Despite raising eyebrows upon their club-record £69m acquisition of Nick Woltemade, the German striker is proving his worth and then some at the front of Howe’s system.

The 23-year-old is quickly climbing up to the high ground on which Tonali stands, and he could enter a similar £100m ballpark with a continuation of the resounding early performances in black and white.

Already, Woltemade has scored five goals for Newcastle, having only played eight times.

When fellow forward signing Yoane Wissa pulled up with a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo after completing his £55m transfer from Brentford to the north east, fears were heightened.

Isak had departed, had he not? And Wissa was the free-scoring, Premier League-tuned striker. But Woltemade has allayed concerns and then some with his displays over the past few months.

Howe and his analytical staff will have known all about Woltemade’s quality, but it’s hard to imagine they expected such a fast and seamless start to life in a new land.

BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has even said that “there’s no striker on the planet who moves the ball like Woltemade.”

He’s not Isak, but that’s the beauty of it. Newcastle have signed a player with the potential to emulate elements of the 26-year-old’s game while adding his own flair and personality to the front of Howe’s system.

The forwards’ comparable strength in directly taking on their opponents with the ball at their feet demonstrates their technical level. It absolutely accentuates Woltemade’s individual talent. Isak is more of an unrelenting runner, and he’s faster besides, but Woltemade arguably has neater close control.

Moreover, the Germany international’s technical skill has been picked up in his recent weeks on Tyneside, with reporter Andy Sixsmith hailing him for flair, saying the phenom’s “link-up play is mesmerising”.

The transfer chatter, would you believe it, has already started up. German publication BILD have recently revealed that Bayern Munich, who had earmarked Woltemade as a summer transfer target, are still keeping a watchful eye on the lanky forward, with the report going on to suggest he dreams of returning to his homeland and signing for Die Roten one day.

That’s nice, but if the Isak saga tells us one thing, it’s that Newcastle will only let their prized pieces leave if they get bang for their buck.

And if Woltemade has started as he means to go on for the Tynesiders, he’s not going to be going anywhere for a figure beneath that which saw Isak book a one-way trip to Anfield.

It’s early days yet, and the rangy talent must now work on building consistency in the final third. But the early readings are oh-so promising, and Woltemade is already shaping up to be the real deal and perhaps the biggest star since Tonali blossomed.

Howe can forget Elanga by unleashing Newcastle's teen who's 'like Yamal'

Eddie Howe may turn to the academy to help build fluency down Newcastle’s right side.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 23, 2025

Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico has admitted “nobody will be ready” for Lionel Messi’s retirement as speculation grows around a romantic Barcelona return. The Lyon full-back, currently on international duty, reflected on Messi’s emotional Camp Nou visit and spoke about Argentina’s World Cup ambitions while hinting at uncertainty over whether the Inter Miami star could play again for the Blaugrana.

• Tagliafico reflects on Messi’s legacy and Camp Nou surprise

  Few players have been closer to witnessing Messi’s enduring greatness than Tagliafico. As La Albiceleste prepare for their friendly against Angola, the Lyon defender spoke candidly about what Messi’s eventual farewell could mean for world football and why nobody, not even his teammates, can imagine the day he finally walks away.

  The 38-year-old's recent midnight visit to Barcelona’s newly renovated Camp Nou reignited talk of a short-term return to his boyhood club. The Inter Miami star, currently in the MLS off-season, shared an emotional post about “missing the place with his soul,” leading fans to dream of one last dance in Catalonia.

  Tagliafico, though, admitted even Argentina’s dressing room remains uncertain about Messi’s next move or when the inevitable end will come.

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• AFP
  

  ‘Nobody will be prepared for when Leo is gone’ – Tagliafico

  In an interview with , the former Ajax star spoke with both admiration and melancholy when asked about Messi’s possible retirement: “He’s been playing in Argentina for 20 years. It’s completely unusual. Nobody will be prepared for when Leo is gone. He’ll decide when he’s no longer there. Maybe once he stops playing, he’ll stay on the coaching staff or have some role with the national team,”

  Turning to Messi’s surprise Camp Nou appearance, Tagliafico confessed that the squad were caught off guard by the images shared online — and admitted even he doesn’t know what the future holds for the World Cup-winning captain.

  “There was a huge fuss about the photo he took at Camp Nou because it was a surprise. I don't know what the situation is, because of the Beckham Law. He could go during the MLS break, but I honestly don't know what he'll do . It's not easy either, especially with the World Cup so close. I don't think it will be simple.”

• ‘We have to prove it again’ – Tagliafico on Argentina’s World Cup mindset

  The veteran full-back also discussed Argentina’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, urging calm despite their success under Lionel Scaloni and downplaying their tag as favourites.

  “On a scale of 1 to 10, I think we're about a five," he said. "Not too little, not too much. We're taking it one step at a time, like in the last World Cup.”

  He also reflected on the self-confidence and occasional arrogance that defines Argentina’s footballing culture: “We also seek it out, Argentinians, with that arrogance we have. Obviously, being world champions, we have to prove it, but that spice, that mischievousness, is also good, because in the end, they end up respecting us. They have to respect us. People know the calibre Argentina has today. We earned it with our effort. Sometimes there's a bit too much talk, but we’re fine, happy. If things are said, I don't know if it's anger or envy… Things are going well. We have to keep working.”

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  Finalissima plans still uncertain ahead of 2026 World Cup

  Tagliafico also addressed reports of a Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, which could take place at Lusail Stadium in Doha – the same venue where Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.

  “There’s talk and rumors, but nothing is confirmed yet. If it happens, it’ll be a great match. Spain is one of the best teams around right now. In the end, those kinds of competitive matches will show you how the team is doing, but it’s also just one game; it might not reflect what could happen at the World Cup. I’m lucky enough to have played in World Cups, and that changes everything. The first match is a different stimulus, different motivations. You might think, ‘If we beat Spain, we’ll be in a much better position.’

  He cautioned that early results shouldn’t be overinterpreted: "On the contrary. We beat Italy in the preparation for Qatar and lost the first match. It makes a big difference. They’re a great opponent, that’s for sure. You can get a sense of their level, but it won’t change much for the World Cup.”

  While Spain’s participation depends on their qualification route, Argentina are already looking to maintain momentum heading into 2026 with Tagliafico’s words serving as a reminder that even amid speculation about Messi’s future, the Albiceleste’s focus remains firmly on defending their crown.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series last week, dispatching the New York Yankees in five games to capture the franchise's eighth championship. In an on-field interview following the title-clinching victory, Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly reveled in the Yankees' defensive miscues and suggested Fat Joe being shown on the scoreboard during Game 5 was the turning point.

Nearly a week later Kelly is still talking trash about the Yankees. Calling into his podcast, Kelly continued to rip the Yankees calling them one of the worst teams in the entire MLB postseason despite the fact that they were in the World Series.

"We were saying it every single game," Kelly said. "Just let them throw the ball to the infield, they can't make a play. I mean, you saw. Shohei got an extra base going to third on a sloppy Gleyber play. It's well known. We all knew. I mean, we're the Dodgers. We know every little detail."

"But I mean past that it was a fun series" Kelly continued. " I mean, they almost snagged a couple of wins you know what I mean? But I mean if it was like the NCAA, like basketball, baseball, hockey, or football I mean. Like it was just a mismatch from the get go. Like, we had a playoff re-ranking they might be ranked eighth or ninth best playoff team, you know what I mean? You're putting the Padres ahead of them. You're putting the Phillies ahead of 'em. You're putting the Mets ahead of 'em. You're putting the Braves ahead of 'em and the Braves just got unlucky 'cause they had to play that doubleheader. You're putting… I mean the Guardians played like crap, but the Guardians played better D, better baseball all-around."

This is where you might start to pick up some bias in Kelly's rankings as the Yankees, who had a slightly better regular season record than Cleveland, beat the Guardians in five games in the American League Championship Series.

Kelly then compared the 2024 World Series to the Boston Red Sox win over the Dodgers in 2018 when Boston won in five games.

"It was just a complete mismatch and it was kinda the same feeling from 2018 when we had to go play the Dodgers," Kelly explained. "Like the Red Sox were just the way better team. So all we knew is that we just had to play regular Dodger baseball. We didn't have to play out of our butts. We didn't have to do anything crazy and we're going to win the World Series. It's facts. Like just look at the team, look at the talent. Re-rank the teams and they're ranked eighth and they played against the number one seed."

Kelly pitched in all five games in the 2018 World Series, striking out 10 batters while scattering four hits over six innings while giving up zero runs for Boston. However, it should probably be noted that the Dodgers used 13 pitchers in the '24 World Series and Joe Kelly was not one of them.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz served a 10-game suspension earlier this season after he was ejected for "sticky stuff," a rule prohibiting players from using any foreign substance to "discolor or damage the ball," according to rule 3.01 of the official MLB rules and regulations.

Tuesday night, the same umpire, Vic Carapazza, who ejected Diaz addressed Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele for a sticky stuff concern, but instead of ejecting him, asked him to go and wash his hands. He stayed in the game.

The rule is excruciatingly arbitrary and has been critiqued for that reason, but it gives umpires a great deal of latitude and discretion to judge the situation how they see fit because of how open-ended it is.

And that's exactly why one umpire can treat two similar situations very differently.

There could be a number of good-enough explanations for why the situations were treated differently. Maybe it was an obviously less egregious substance. Perhaps the umpire was directed to escalate such situations slower after the Diaz incident was criticized en masse. Maybe Steele's hand was sticky, but not sticky. Hate that explanation all you want, but that's a problem with the rule, not with the umpire.

For what it's worth, hand washing is not explicitly referenced in the rulebook.

Don't hate the player, hate the game. Don't hate the umpire, hate the rulebook.

Real Madrid’s preparations for their Champions League showdown with Liverpool have been dealt a blow after teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono has been ruled out indefinitely with pubalgia. The 18-year-old Argentine has been a key rotational player under Xabi Alonso, but his absence comes at a crucial point in Madrid’s campaign, forcing tactical adjustments ahead of their high-stakes European clash this Tuesday.

• Real Madrid confirm Mastantuono’s injury

  Madrid have officially confirmed that Mastantuono has been diagnosed with pubalgia, commonly known as a sports hernia. In a brief statement, the club said: “Following tests carried out today on our player Franco Mastantuono by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with pubalgia. His recovery will be monitored.”

  No recovery timeline was provided, meaning the 18-year-old is sidelined indefinitely. Mastantuono did not train with the squad ahead of the trip to Anfield, working instead inside Valdebebas Sports City under the supervision of the medical team.

  The injury is untimely for both the player and Madrid manager Alonso, who has relied on the Argentine teenager as part of his attacking rotations this season. Mastantuono has featured in 12 matches across all competitions, scoring once and assisting once, but has recently found himself in and out of the lineup due to the return of key players like Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga.

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  Atheltic Bilbao, Barcelona and now Real Madrid – all hit with pubalgia scare

  Pubalgia, also known as sports hernia, is a complex and often stubborn injury affecting the groin and lower abdominal area. It typically develops in athletes involved in high-intensity sports that demand rapid changes in direction, explosive sprints, and repetitive twisting.

  Unlike a standard muscle strain, pubalgia involves inflammation and imbalance where the abdominal and adductor muscles meet near the pelvis, making recovery unpredictable. It can take weeks or even months for players to regain full fitness, and recurrence is common if rehabilitation isn’t handled carefully.

  Across Europe, several young stars are battling the same issue. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer are all facing similar injuries this season. In Williams’ case, the condition limited him to just 530 minutes of football this season and has also ruled him out of Bilbao's upcoming Champions League clash against Newcastle United. Each player’s treatment involves rest, physiotherapy, and strength conditioning, while surgery remains a last resort.

  For Mastantuono, Madrid’s medical staff are taking a cautious approach, prioritising long-term fitness over short-term availability.

• What adjustments will Alonso make in Mastantuono's absence?

  With Mastantuono ruled out, head coach Alonso must reconfigure his options ahead of the Champions League clash against Liverpool. The teenager’s ability to drift between midfield and the right flank provided tactical flexibility that will now need to be compensated for.

  Rodrygo is the most natural replacement on the right, offering experience, pace, and a proven record in Europe’s biggest games. Alternatively, Alonso could deploy Arda Guler, another young attacker capable of cutting inside to create central overloads.

  Eduardo Camavinga’s versatility also provides tactical depth; the Frenchman could operate in an advanced midfield role if Alonso seeks to maintain pressing intensity and defensive stability. Meanwhile, the absence of defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba who are all recovering from injuries means Los Blancos' overall shape may have to adapt to ensure balance between defense and attack.

  Madrid trained at Valdebebas before flying to England, with Alonso opting against a session at Anfield. The manager will address the media upon arrival in Liverpool.

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  Madrid face setback in defining season

  For Mastantuono, this injury halts what was shaping into a breakthrough campaign. Since joining from River Plate this summer, he has impressed with his technical skill, vision, and maturity beyond his years as he quickly earned the trust of both fans and coaching staff.

  However, pubalgia is notoriously difficult to manage for developing players, especially those adjusting to the physical demands of elite European football. His long-term recovery will depend on how well his body responds to conservative treatment and strengthening programs. Teams have tried to numb down it's effect with players opting for a few games out and then joining full-session, but the issue tends to be chronic in nature and thus limited time off isn't the best solution as have been in the case of Yamal, who faced constant issue yet kept playing and is still managing it, Palmer was given six-weeks off after not able to overcome it in a short-period.

  For Los Blancos, the focus now turns to depth and adaptability. Alonso’s squad still boasts elite talent in midfield and attack, but the Argentine’s absence adds another layer of complexity to an already injury-hit roster.

Leeds United’s summer transfer window was focused on breaking the recent mould of newly promoted clubs being unable to survive in the Premier League.

On this front, they have made a stellar start, sitting comfortably mid-table, the same number of points away from 20th-place Wolves as they are 1st-place Liverpool. Despite the positive start, survival will still be difficult, and Leeds legend Lucas Radebe has recently spoken about the challenge that the club faces this season.

“I know Daniel Farke has a hard task with a lot of expectations from last season… If we can just survive this season, then hopefully we will get better as the years go by.”

New midfielders Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach are leading the way so far for league goal involvements, with both of them having registered a goal and an assist. While goals have come from all over the pitch, no one from the squad has yet to establish themselves as the consistent source.

It has now been revealed that Leeds could have brought in a prolific forward as they had the opportunity to re-sign a loanee who played an important role in their Championship promotion.

Leeds turned down opportunity to re-sign Solomon

Manor Solomon spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Leeds from his parent club Tottenham Hotspur. During his time at Elland Road, he registered 22 goal involvements in 39 League appearances, which were instrumental in seeing Farke’s side return to the Premier League.

It has now been revealed that Leeds had the chance to re-sign Solomon for a second consecutive loan spell during the summer transfer window but declined to do so.

This report comes from the BBC’s Adam Pope, who explained the 49ers’ decision.

Okafor, alongside free transfers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, were the main attacking reinforcements Farke received this summer, but given Solomon’s start to the season, the 49ers may be having some regrets about their decision.

Solomon's performances make Leeds rue decision

After Leeds decided not to bring Solomon back, the Israeli forward joined La Liga and Champions League side Villarreal on loan and has had a strong start to the season. For Villarreal and Israel, Solomon has registered two goals and three assists in just a few games for each.

In comparison, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have three goals between them – at this stage in the season, Solomon is performing better than the three forwards they brought in combined.

Pope cited the injury record of Solomon as a contributing factor behind their choosing Okafor. Since the start of the 22/23 season, Solomon has missed 75 games for club and country through injury, whereas Okafor has only missed 40. The difference is Okafor cost £18 million.

At this point in time, it looks like Leeds made the wrong decision, but if Solomon gets injured or if the three new forwards start to find their feet, then the 49ers may feel vindicated.

US Soccer generated $263.7 million in revenue during 2025, a 37-percent increase over 2024 and the highest in eight years, according to the federation's annual financial report. The 2017 totals were tied to the hosting of the 2016 Copa America. The 2025 figures point to the buzz for next year's World Cup, with a majority of matches in the U.S.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Commercial momentum

  Another indicator of excitement toward the 2026 World Cup is the sponsorship element, as the USSF saw a 19-percent increase to $121.1 million. 

  The federation secured deals with The Home Depot, Bank of America, Henkel, Jim Beam and Haleon during its fiscal year. 

  However, it is worth noting USSF actually saw a decrease in its net profit, going down from $9.1 million in 2024 to $8.3 million this year.

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• Revenue by years

  U.S. Soccer financials, 2016–2025

  Fiscal year	Revenue ($)	Expenses ($)	Investment return ($)	Change in net assets ($)
  2016	125,301,588	109,809,361	-570,589	14,921,638
  2017	290,198,512	221,826,583	6,855,882	75,227,811
  2018	102,164,601	109,192,197	5,289,330	-1,738,266
  2019	108,660,552	131,804,573	6,035,122	-17,108,899
  2020	135,444,082	165,056,154	1,442,126	-28,169,946
  2021	61,223,417	73,704,217	12,479,092	-1,708
  2022	119,477,884	145,366,248	4,109,727	-21,778,637
  2023	147,147,798	187,937,461	1,321,306	-39,468,357
  2024	192,191,562	190,910,704	7,826,728	9,107,586
  2025	263,740,683	261,932,380	6,462,360	8,270,663

• Other sources of income

  Outside of sponsorship, USSF also drew a significant amount of revenue from philanthropic contributions, raising $50.3 million. The federation's $250M National Training Center project outside Atlanta has also spurred a sharp increase in fundraising activity.

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  Looking ahead

  November promises to be a busy month for US Soccer's two senior teams. Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT host friendlies against Paraguay on Nov. 15 and Uruguay on Nov. 18. Emma Hayes' USWNT will play Italy on Nov. 28, followed by a rematch against Le Azzurre on Dec. 1.