March 2023 - Soccer Wiretap

Barcelona Confirms They'll Pursue Re-Signing Lionel Messi

Mar 31, 2023 9:40 PM

Barcelona has been in contact with Lionel Messi about a return to the club when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in June.

Vice president Rafa Yuste confirmed Friday that the club are looking into the possibility of re-signing Messi.

"I am still gutted he couldn't continue here," Yuste said at a news conference. "Of course I would like him to come back, because of what he represents on a sporting, social and economic level.

"We are in contact with [Messi's camp], yes. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and there is a mutual love between the two parties."

Barcelona need to eliminate more than €150 million from their annual spending or raise money through transfers to comply with LaLiga's economic regulations.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
United To Increase Efforts To Sign Marcus Rashford To Extension

Mar 30, 2023 12:53 PM

Manchester United are increasing their efforts to sign Marcus Rashford to an extension before the end of the season.

United triggered a one-year option in Rashford's contract in December that will keep him with the club until 2024.

Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in Rashford in the past, but the 25-year-old is expected to stay at United.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Barcelona Agrees To Sign Inigo Martinez

Mar 29, 2023 10:55 AM

Barcelona have a verbal agreement to sign Inigo Martinez this summer.

Martinez, 31, has been tracked by Barca for years and the club have stepped up their interest in recent weeks due to the fact he is available for free at the end of the season.

A move is dependent on Barcelona reducing their wage bill.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Antonio Conte, Spurs Mutually Agree To Part Ways

Mar 26, 2023 9:27 PM

Antonio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur have mutually agreed to part ways after 16 months.

Spurs are fourth in the Premier League, but their 15-year streak of winning a trophy will extend as they're out of all cup competitions.

Conte's assistant, Cristian Stellini, has been named acting head coach for the rest of the season with Ryan Mason chosen as Stellini's assistant.

Conte had grown frustrated at what he perceived was a difference in strategy with the club reluctant to commit to the radical overhaul of the team he believed was necessary.

Tags: Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Spurs Interested In Hiring Julian Nagelsmann To Replace Antonio Conte

Mar 24, 2023 3:29 PM

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in hiring Julian Nagelsmann to replace Antonio Conte.

Spurs are expected to part ways with Conte before the end of the current international break.

Thomas Tuchel was also a candidate for Spurs, but he was hired by Bayern Munich this week to replace Nagelsmann. 

Spurs were interested in Nagelsmann in 2021 after they dismissed Jose Mourinho but he was set on a move to Bayern from RB Leipzig.

David Hytner/The Guardian

Tags: Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Bayern Fires Julian Nagelsmann, Will Hire Thomas Tuchel

Mar 23, 2023 9:32 PM

Bayern Munich have fired Julian Nagelsmann and will hire Thomas Tuchel as his replacement.

Tuchel's contract will run until 2025. Tuchel had also been in touch with Tottenham Hotspur about replacing Antonio Conte.

Bayern hired Nagelsmann away from RB Leipzig in April 2021 to replace the outgoing Hansi Flick.

Bayern are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but are trailing Borussia Dortmund by a point in the Bundesliga. 

Tuchel left Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of 2021 to take over the manager's job at Chelsea. Chelsea fired Tuchel at the start of the 22-23 season.

ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Mesut Ozil Announces Retirement At Age 34

Mar 22, 2023 11:35 AM

Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from soccer at the age of 34. Ozil helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014.

Ozil made 645 career appearances for club and country, including 254 for Arsenal across a seven-year stint. He featured in the club's FA Cup finals in 2014, 2015 and 2017, helping his side to victory in all three Wembley matches.

"After thoughtful consideration, I'm announcing my immediate retirement from professional football," Ozil wrote in an announcement posted to Twitter.

"I've had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it's become more and more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football.

"It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs - Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahçe, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, plus teammates who have become friends.

"Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad."

ESPN

Tags: Arsenal, Germany, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Tottenham Begins Search For Next Manager

Mar 21, 2023 11:28 AM

Tottenham Hotspur have begun searching for a new manager though Antonio Conte has yet to be fired.

Conte will almost certainly not return next season and may be fired before the end of the current season.

Spurs are still fourth, although Newcastle have closed to within two points of them with two matches in hand. 

Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique are candidates for the job and all three would likely prefer to begin their tenure in the offseason. 

David Hytner/The Guardian

Tags: Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Sevilla Fires Jorge Sampaoli

Mar 21, 2023 11:26 AM

Sevilla has fired Jorge Sampaoli as manager as they look to avoid relegation.

“Sevilla have today relieved Jorge Sampaoli of his duties,” read a club statement. “Following the defeat at Getafe, which leaves the side just above the relegation zone, the club have decided to part ways with the Argentine coach ahead of the international break.”

Sevilla won 13, drew six and lost 12 of their 31 matches in Sampaoli’s second spell.

The Guardian

Tags: Sevilla, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Real Madrid Monitoring Bernardo Silva

Mar 20, 2023 4:12 PM

Real Madrid are monitoring the possibility of signing Bernardo Silva from Manchester City if they are unable to sign Jude Bellingham. City are also pursuing Bellingham.

Silva was linked with moves to Barcelonaand Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Silva is under contract until 2025 and expected to be allowed to leave City if they receive a suitable offer. 

Rob Dawson, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Tags: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
City Confident They Can Sign Jude Bellingham From Dortmund

Rob Dawson, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Tottenham Players Believe Antonio Conte 'Going Or Gone'

David Hytner/The Guardian

Study Finds Soccer Players 50 Percent More Likely To Develop Dementia

Anna Bawden/The Guardian

Madrid-Chelsea, City-Bayern Headline UCL Quarterfinals

RealGM Staff Report

SoFi Stadium Field Currently Too Narrow To Host 2026 World Cup Final

Martyn Ziegler/The Times Of London

Crystal Palace Fires Patrick Vieira As Manager

The Guardian

Gianni Infantino Reelected As FIFA President Through 2027

Reuters

Gregg Berhalter Could Remain As USA Manager Following Report

The Guardian

Kylian Mbappe Noncommittal On PSG Future After UCL Exit

ESPN

Club Brugge Fires Scott Parker After 12 Matches

The Guardian

Apple Has Opt-Out In 10-Year MLS Streaming Deal

Paul Tenorio, Pablo Maurer/The Athletic