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Chelsea have officially turned the page on their latest managerial chapter, announcing Liam Rosenior as the club’s new head coach on a five-and-a-half-year deal. The 41-year-old arrives from fellow BlueCo property Strasbourg, where he impressed in his first full season in Ligue 1 by guiding the club to a seventh-place finish and qualification for Europe. It is a bold appointment that reflects Chelsea’s continued appetite for long-term projects — and their belief that Rosenior’s modern, player-first philosophy can stabilize a squad that has looked increasingly unsettled.

The timing of the move tells its own story. Rosenior leaves Strasbourg after a run of five league games without a win, even as they sit top of their Conference League group, and steps into a Chelsea side that needed a stoppage-time Enzo Fernández equalizer just to draw at Manchester City on Sunday. Enzo Maresca’s exit on January 1 followed a stretch of one win in seven, compounded by public hints of internal issues that suggested the project was fraying. Academy coach Calum McFarlane will oversee Wednesday’s match with Fulham, but the message is clear: the future is being handed to Rosenior.

In his first comments as Chelsea head coach, Rosenior struck the tone the ownership group was clearly seeking, humility paired with conviction. He spoke of protecting the club’s “unique spirit,” building a team rooted in unity and emotional intelligence, and creating an environment where players enjoy what they do. That philosophy has been a through-line in his rise, from Derby to Hull to Strasbourg, and it now becomes the guiding principle at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior even acknowledged interest from Champions League clubs but framed Chelsea as one of those rare opportunities a coach simply cannot turn down.

His departure in France was handled with unusual transparency. Rosenior fronted a farewell press conference before his contract was even signed, calling it “different to anything anyone has ever done,” and making clear how difficult it was to leave a group he deeply valued. He also confirmed that key members of his staff — including Kalifa Cissé and Justin Walker — will follow him to west London, underlining that this is not just a managerial change, but the arrival of a full leadership group built on trust and shared values.

While Chelsea have clarity at the top, Manchester United remain stuck in the fog of transition. Darren Fletcher will handle the next two fixtures on an interim basis, with talk of a caretaker appointment, potentially club legend and former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to bridge the gap to summer. Long-term, the names keep circulating: Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Xavi Hernández, Julian Nagelsmann, Gareth Southgate, and more. Glasner, in particular, has emerged as an early favorite, with his Crystal Palace contract expiring and United eager to avoid another compensation battle.

Elsewhere on the carousel, Eddie Howe has firmly shut down speculation linking him to Old Trafford, reiterating his total commitment to Newcastle. Strasbourg, meanwhile, are already lining up Rosenior’s successor, with Gary O’Neil close to agreeing a deal in principle. It is a reminder of how interconnected the modern game has become with ownership groups spanning countries, managerial pipelines crossing leagues, and decisions at one club rippling across half a dozen others. For Chelsea, the next era begins now with Rosenior. For United and the rest, the waiting and the watching continues.

The Africa Cup of Nations reaches the final day of its Round of 16 on Tuesday, with several high-profile matchups set to determine the remaining quarter-final places. In Marrakech, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire face Burkina Faso in a West African derby that carries both regional significance and tournament implications. The two sides have met 20 times in all competitions, with the Ivorians holding a slight edge, but both coaches have emphasized that form and preparation will matter far more than history in a knockout setting.

Burkina Faso arrive confident despite the challenge, with head coach Brama Traoré making clear that his team views this stage as a necessary step toward their larger ambitions in Morocco. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, will lean on continuity and familiarity, returning to the same venue where they played all three group matches. Coach Emerse Faé has stressed the importance of balance, asking his players to manage the occasion without letting pressure dictate their approach.

In Rabat, Algeria and DR Congo meet in another Round of 16 tie featuring two sides in strong form. Algeria were one of the standout teams in the group stage, winning all three matches while conceding just once, and remain among the tournament favorites. DR Congo have also impressed, finishing second in their group with seven points and allowing only one goal so far. With both teams built on disciplined defensive structures and experienced leadership, the match is expected to be tightly contested.

Elsewhere in the bracket, the quarter-final picture is already taking shape. Nigeria booked their place with a comprehensive 4–0 win over Mozambique, led by Victor Osimhen’s brace and a commanding all-around performance. Egypt followed by edging Benin 3–1 after extra time, overcoming a stubborn challenge before goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah secured progress. The Pharaohs will face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire versus Burkina Faso in the next round, while Nigeria await either Algeria or DR Congo.

With the Round of 16 concluding, AFCON now moves into its decisive phase. The remaining matches will finalize the quarter-final lineup and clarify which contenders have positioned themselves best for the stretch run in Morocco.

Reports: Gabriel Wesseh to Norway
Norwegian club Fredrikstad SK are set to sign Atlanta United 2 standout Gabriel Wesseh when he turns 18 in May. The rising attacker posted four goals and seven assists in MLS NEXT Pro this season, and while Atlanta were eager to keep him, Wesseh will instead begin his professional journey in Europe. He trained with the first team in 2025 frequently in the second half of the season and was highly thought of from my conversations with people at the club, but after making his move to Atlanta from the Philadelphia academy, it seems that his agents had other ideas.

Nicki Hernández joins Boston Legacy
Boston Legacy announced the signing of Mexican international defender Nicki Hernández on a two-year deal through the 2027 season. The former Club América standout, who helped win the 2023 Clausura title, has reinvented herself as a left back in recent years in pursuit of national-team opportunities and arrives with experience across both club and international stages.

D.C. United land Louis Munteanu
D.C. United have completed a club-record signing, bringing in Romanian striker Louis Munteanu from CFR Cluj for a reported fee of up to $10 million. The 23-year-old Designated Player joins as part of a rebuilt attack following Christian Benteke’s departure, pairing with Tai Baribo to lead a new-look front line in Washington. Per reports, Munteanu decided against joining Celtic to join D.C. and MLS instead.

Owen Wolff secures long-term future in Austin
Austin FC have locked in midfielder Owen Wolff to a long-term extension under the U-22 Initiative. Wolff enjoyed a breakout 2025 season with seven goals and eight assists in 34 appearances, playing a central role in Austin’s return to the MLS playoffs.

Michael Bradley takes charge of New York Red Bulls
Michael Bradley has officially been introduced as the new head coach of the New York Red Bulls, returning to the club where he began his professional career at just 16. The former U.S. captain follows a successful first season in charge of Red Bulls II and steps in after Sandro Schwarz’s departure, tasked with restoring a club that missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.

American teens on the move at Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund continue to shape the futures of two young Americans, promoting 16-year-old Mathis Albert to the U-23 squad while loaning winger Cole Campbell to Hoffenheim. Campbell seeks regular Bundesliga minutes after limited opportunities in Dortmund, while Albert — already Dortmund’s youngest U-23 scorer — is being carefully fast-tracked following standout performances for club and country.

Damion Downs nears Bundesliga return
Hamburg are close to finalizing a loan deal for USMNT striker Damion Downs from Southampton, with an option to buy included. The 21-year-old has struggled for minutes since his move to England but would return to familiar ground in Germany, where he previously broke through with Köln before committing his international future to the United States.

Kacey White joins SDH AM today to check in on the latest around the NWSL and MLS, providing her perspective on league news, offseason movement, and early storylines ahead of the 2026 campaigns. Also on the line is Rob Edwards of Morley Sports Management to discuss his recent acquisition of Scottish club Hamilton Academical and his unique connections to the U.S. pro wrestling world, offering insight into cross-industry opportunities and global sporting ventures.

If you missed it, last night’s Soccer Over There is now available on-demand with discussion of the managerial carousel, club leaders needing to have some backbone, and the world-famous Picks of the Week segment.

Tonight, I’ll be hosting Atlanta Soccer Tonight on 92.9 The Game after college basketball, kicking off around 10:30 p.m., where we’ll catch up on MLS offseason moves as training camps open next week.

Mbappé sidelined as Real head to the Supercup
Kylian Mbappé will not travel with Real Madrid to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Supercup as he continues to recover from a knee injury that has lingered since early December. With Mbappé responsible for more than half of Madrid’s goals this season, Xabi Alonso turns to Gonzalo García after his hat-trick against Betis offered a timely boost, even as pressure mounts around the importance of the tournament for Alonso’s future.

Martin O’Neill returns after Wilfried Nancy exit at Celtic
Celtic have turned back to Martin O’Neill for stability after dismissing Wilfried Nancy just 33 days into his tenure, the shortest managerial spell in club history. O’Neill, who previously won seven trophies during his first stint, will lead the team for the remainder of the season as Celtic attempt to steady a turbulent campaign that has already seen multiple changes in the technical staff.

Ryan Mason dismissed at West Brom
West Bromwich Albion have parted ways with Ryan Mason after just seven months in charge, with the club sitting 18th in the Championship. Assistant James Morrison will take interim control as the Baggies continue searching for stability following yet another managerial change since their Premier League relegation.

Unrest grows at West Ham as Callum Wilson explores exit
Callum Wilson is in talks to leave West Ham only five months after arriving, amid growing dissatisfaction within the squad under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers sit 18th and face mounting pressure despite recent attacking reinforcements, with sources suggesting Wilson’s potential departure reflects wider concerns about tactics and man-management.

Injury crisis deepens for Manchester City
Manchester City confirmed Josko Gvardiol will undergo surgery after fracturing his tibia, adding to Pep Guardiola’s growing list of defensive absentees. With Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Nathan Aké also battling fitness issues, City have recalled young center back Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford to bolster depth at the back.

Barcelona explore January return for João Cancelo
Barcelona are in talks with Al Hilal and João Cancelo’s representatives about a potential January move, with Hansi Flick pushing for defensive reinforcements. The LaLiga leaders prefer a loan deal as Cancelo remains open to returning to Europe, while Inter Milan are also monitoring the situation.

Newcastle condemn racist abuse toward Joe Willock
Newcastle United have reported racist abuse and death threats directed at midfielder Joe Willock to the police, pledging full support for the investigation. The club has called on Meta to cooperate fully, as football authorities continue to confront a rise in online abuse targeting players across the game.

From the managerial carousel spinning across Europe to the knockout rounds tightening at AFCON, today’s headlines underline just how quickly the game keeps moving, both on and off the field. Chelsea’s long-term bet on Liam Rosenior, Manchester United’s ongoing search for direction, and major clubs navigating injuries and instability all point to a season where leadership matters as much as talent.

At the same time, the momentum is clear closer to home. Young Americans are finding pathways abroad, NWSL and MLS storylines continue to evolve ahead of the upcoming seasons, and the domestic picture keeps expanding as new voices and opportunities shape what comes next.

As training camps open, knockout stages narrow, and January decisions ripple through the sport, the calendar flips into a stretch where every move carries weight. We’ll be here to keep it all connected… every league, every level, every corner of the game.

We’re always Around the Corner from Everywhere… see y’all tonight for AST and tomorrow for a new Morning Espresso.

Jason