Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Liverpool Appoint Andoni Iraola as New Head Coach on Two-Year Deal
Liverpool have appointed Andoni Iraola as head coach on a two-year deal, the club confirmed Thursday, making the former Bournemouth boss Arne Slot’s successor at Anfield. The 43-year-old Spaniard was the only candidate interviewed after Slot was dismissed on May 30 following a fifth-place Premier League finish. Iraola guided Bournemouth to sixth place last season. At his first press conference he said: “You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.” He signed a short-term deal in line with his preference across his coaching career. Liverpool face significant rebuilding, with Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson departing this summer.
Sources: Sky Sports, ESPN
Arsenal Boosted in Kroupi Pursuit as PSG Exit Race for Bournemouth Teenager
Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth teenager Eli Junior Kroupi after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from the race for the 19-year-old forward, according to The Mirror. Kroupi broke the Premier League record for goals by a teenager in a debut season and is considered one of the most exciting young forwards in English football. PSG’s exit clears a path for the Gunners, who are also pursuing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez this summer. Manchester United have placed Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye on their shortlist, while Brentford have tabled £43m for Cologne winger Said El Mala, according to Friday’s Sky Sports Paper Talk.
Sources: Sky Sports
Deschamps Eases Saliba Fitness Fears But Arsenal Brace for Post-Tournament Surgery
France manager Didier Deschamps has eased concerns over William Saliba’s World Cup availability, confirming the Arsenal defender is on track to play despite managing a persistent back issue. Saliba played 120 minutes of Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to PSG on May 30, after which his pain reportedly worsened. Medical examinations subsequently cleared him for the tournament, with Deschamps saying: “William is doing well, he is going to be managed.” Arsenal have been informed Saliba will likely require back surgery after the World Cup, raising concerns about his availability for the start of the 2026-27 season. France open Group I against Senegal on June 16.
Sources: ESPN
Vlahovic to Leave Juventus as Free Agent at End of June After Contract Talks Collapse
Dusan Vlahovic will leave Juventus as a free agent at the end of June after the two sides failed to agree a contract extension, according to Football Italia. The Serbia international, 26, held a final meeting with club directors on Wednesday but negotiations broke down over a signing bonus dispute — Vlahovic sought around €8m while Juventus offered €3m. He scored 10 goals in 23 appearances this season, cut short by a serious muscle injury. Vlahovic scored 68 goals in 168 appearances after joining from Fiorentina for over €80m in January 2022. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Napoli are among the clubs monitoring his availability.
Sources: Football Italia, Sky Sports
Spain Coach Confident Yamal Fit for World Cup Opener as Hamstring Scare Eases
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said Friday he is optimistic Lamine Yamal will be fit for Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, despite the 18-year-old missing a warm-up match against Iraq. Yamal suffered a partial tear of the biceps femoris in his left hamstring in late April but has returned to grass training at Barcelona. De la Fuente said: “If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15.” Yamal could feature in Monday’s friendly against Northern Ireland to build match fitness before Spain begin their Group H campaign.
Sources: ESPN
Mourinho Eyes Arsenal’s Calafiori as Top Target for Real Madrid Rebuild
Jose Mourinho wants to bring Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori to Real Madrid once he is appointed the Spanish club’s new manager, according to The Mirror, reported in Friday’s Sky Sports Paper Talk. Mourinho is reportedly the frontrunner for the Real Madrid job following Xabi Alonso’s departure to Chelsea. Calafiori has been a key figure in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, helping the Gunners concede a league-low 27 goals across 38 Premier League matches this season. The Italy international, 22, has established himself as one of Europe’s most versatile defenders. Any approach for Calafiori would face significant resistance from the Premier League champions.
Sources: Sky Sports
Bayern Munich Agree Personal Terms with Arsenal Target Nathaniel Brown
Bayern Munich have agreed personal terms with Arsenal target Nathaniel Brown, according to BILD, reported in Friday’s Sky Sports Paper Talk. Brown, a highly regarded young defender, is a significant move in what is shaping up to be an active Bundesliga summer transfer market. Arsenal had been monitoring the player as part of their squad planning under Mikel Arteta following their Premier League title win. The official Bundesliga transfer window opens July 1, meaning any deal will be formalised next month. The move underlines Bayern’s intent to bolster their backline ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Sources: Sky Sports
2025/26 Final Standings
Premier League — Final Table (Top 6)
1. Arsenal — 85 pts (38 played) 🏆
2. Manchester City — 78 pts (38 played)
3. Manchester United — 71 pts (38 played)
4. Aston Villa — 65 pts (38 played)
5. Liverpool — 60 pts (38 played)
6. Bournemouth — 57 pts (38 played)
2025/26 European Finals
UEFA Champions League Final (May 30)
PSG 1–1 Arsenal (PSG win 4–3 pens) 🏆
UEFA Europa League Final (May 28)
Freiburg 0–3 Aston Villa 🏆
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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