He once said that if his name was ‘Sam Allardicio’, he could have got a job at Manchester United. He also claimed that there was no one in football ahead of him; not Pep, Klopp or Arteta. But still many people claim that Sam Allardyce is a long-ball merchant, whose teams would play out of date football.

What looked inevitable from pretty much the start of the season was last week confirmed. After falling to a 3-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Tottenham, Southampton’s relegation was confirmed — becoming the first club to ever suffer that fate with as many as seven matches to play.

Substitute Hana Takahashi netted an injury-time penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw for Japan against Colombia on Sunday, preserving the women's national football team's unbeaten record under their new manager Nils Nielsen.

It was also the first on home soil for Nielsen, played at Yodoko Stadium in Osaka, in front of just over 8,000 fans.

After a 25-year partnership with Nike, the Premier League is set to turn to a new official match ball supplier for the 2025/26 season.

The fact that this change is making news headlines is a reflection of how far the game has come. What was once a simple, heavy leather ball, only needing to move when it was kicked, has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry. And, for some managers, has even because the go-to excuse for why their team lost a match.

It was a remarkable display of sportsmanship.

With Manchester United leading their Europa League Round of 16 tie with Real Sociedad, the Red Devils were awarded a penalty when the referee felt Patrick Dorgu had been fouled in the box. Dorgu, however, disagreed and was seen gesturing to the referee that it was a not a foul.

VAR agreed and the penalty was revoked — but just how often does a player admit something that benefits the opposition?

What makes being England manager “the impossible job?”

For a footballer, recovery can be as important as training. But ‘recovery’ comes in many styles. We all relax in different ways; some people might get rest from listening to electronic music, others by tending to a farm. Today we’re exploring the hobbies and interests of footballers away from the pitch.

From Lionel Messi’s iconic tattoos to the Manchester City fan who got a ‘Champions League Winners 2011’ tattoo…before they were knocked out in the group stage.

This is the story of tattoos and how sometimes it feels like they’re taking over the world and football.

A COVID-induced interruption to our planned schedule means a chance to answer some of your questions!