The game never stops — and neither do we. Welcome to the SDH Network, Around the Corner from Everywhere.

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Manchester United have dismissed Ruben Amorim, bringing a turbulent 14-month tenure to an abrupt end after Sunday’s 1–1 draw with Leeds United left United sixth in the Premier League after 20 matches. The club confirmed the decision on Monday morning, stating that it had “reluctantly” concluded that now was “the right time to make a change” in order to give the team the best possible chance of a strong league finish.

Former midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will step in on an interim basis, beginning with Wednesday night’s trip to Burnley. A permanent appointment is not expected until the summer. Behind the scenes, the call was made by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, following what multiple reports describe as an irreparable breakdown in working relationships.

Those tensions had been simmering for months. Amorim repeatedly bristled at the distinction between being a “coach” and a “manager,” publicly asserting his authority while privately clashing with the hierarchy over tactics, recruitment, and control. His unwavering commitment to a 3-4-3 system became emblematic of the divide. While United briefly experimented with alternative shapes, including a 4-2-3-1 win over Newcastle in late December, Amorim consistently reverted to his preferred structure, even as doubts grew internally about its suitability to the Premier League and the squad at hand.

The cost of the split will be significant. United paid €11 million to extract Amorim from Sporting CP and, with no break clause in his contract, will now be required to pay out a deal that was set to run through 2027. That investment came amid another heavy summer outlay, with more than £200 million spent on new signings, underscoring just how sharply the project has veered off course. United are in a very poor financial position, we’ll dig deeper into that tomorrow, and we’ll have to wait to see how much that impacts their next moves. Even with the spending in the summer, the squad was not good enough to compete with the elite in the Premier League in talent alone.

From a performance standpoint, the needle barely moved. Data from ClubElo shows United’s on-field strength continuing a decade-long decline, with only minor recent improvement after an early-season nadir. The brief uptick fell well short of reversing the post-Ferguson erosion that saw modest rebounds under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before sinking again following the Erik ten Hag era. Amorim’s United never looked like a side on a sustainable upward trajectory.

All of this casts an unforgiving light on ownership. Sir Jim Ratcliffe had publicly argued that Amorim deserved time, insisting that the club’s sporting direction would be set from the top under INEOS. Yet appointing a manager defined by a rigid system, backing him heavily in the market, and then pulling the plug after little more than a year suggests a strategy still searching for coherence. Amorim stuck to his path. United now have to decide, once again, what theirs actually is.

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The Premier League weekend delivered another reminder that nothing stays still for long. At the Etihad, Chelsea salvaged a 1–1 draw against Manchester City thanks to Enzo Fernández’s 94th-minute equalizer, a result that capped a chaotic few days following Enzo Maresca’s dismissal. Interim coach Calum McFarlane oversaw a spirited response amid illness and disruption, and the point felt significant even if it did little to clarify Chelsea’s longer-term direction.

That clarity may not be far away. Chelsea are moving closer to appointing Liam Rosenior as their next head coach, with the 41-year-old now in London after taking charge of Strasbourg at the weekend. Strasbourg’s shared ownership under BlueCo is expected to smooth the process, and sources suggest talks could accelerate quickly. If confirmed, Rosenior would inherit a young squad that has shown resilience under pressure, even as uncertainty continues to swirl around the touchline.

Elsewhere, late drama reshaped the race behind the leaders. At Craven Cottage, Fulham stunned Liverpool with a 97th-minute equalizer from Harrison Reed to secure a 2–2 draw. Seconds after Cody Gakpo appeared to have snatched a vital winner for Liverpool, Reed’s long-range strike punished another defensive lapse and left Arne Slot’s side ruing a damaging missed opportunity in the battle for a top-four finish.

At the other end of the table, the pressure is intensifying but patience remains the message. West Ham United have no immediate plans to dismiss Nuno Espirito Santo despite a humiliating 3–0 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sitting 18th and four points from safety, West Ham intend to back Nuno in the January window, even as fan unrest grows and performances continue to deteriorate.

Above the noise, there is at least one constant. Arsenal remain six points clear at the top of the table, steady while chaos churns beneath them. As contenders falter and clubs reshuffle managers, the title picture is taking shape — and the rest of the league is spinning furiously just to keep up.

Hosts Morocco continue to look like a side built for this moment. A controlled 1–0 win over a stubborn Tanzania in Rabat booked a place in the quarterfinals, with Morocco rarely rattled despite two genuine Tanzanian chances. The difference came from quality and composure as Brahim Díaz drove into the right side of the box and finished low at the near post when a cross seemed more likely. It was his fourth goal of the tournament and another piece of history for a player rapidly becoming the face of Morocco’s AFCON run.

Díaz is now the first player ever to score in four consecutive AFCON matches for Morocco and only the second to net four goals in a single edition, joining Youssef Mokhtari from 2004. For a team that has often carried the weight of expectation at home, his calm efficiency has mattered. Morocco dominated territory and tempo, managing risk rather than chasing spectacle, a sign of maturity from a side intent on going deeper than recent near misses.

Awaiting them are familiar tormentors. Cameroon saw off South Africa 2–1 to set up a quarterfinal that drips with history. Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and 19-year-old Christian Kofane put the Indomitable Lions in control before a late rally from Bafana Bafana made the closing minutes uncomfortable. Cameroon were the more complete team, disciplined without the ball and incisive in transition, with Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba setting the tone.

That matchup carries deep scars for Morocco. Cameroon were the last team to beat them at home in a competitive match back in 2009, knocked them out on home soil when Morocco last hosted AFCON in 1988, and were responsible for pivotal eliminations in 1982 and 1992. Tactically, this Cameroon side looks as balanced as any in the tournament, attacking quickly without exposing itself and defending with numbers behind the ball. As Baleba put it afterward, the mindset is simple: collective strength over individual stardom.

The fallout elsewhere was just as telling. Tunisia’s tournament ended in frustration and public soul-searching, with Hannibal Mejbri openly questioning the state of football in his country after elimination by Mali. South Africa, meanwhile, face internal criticism after Teko Modise laid blame at the feet of coach Hugo Broos for a lack of urgency in defeat.

The Round of 16 continues today with two matchups shaped by history and ambition. Seven-time champions Egypt face Benin in Agadir as the Pharaohs push toward a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations title, while Benin aim to reach the quarterfinals for only the second time in their history. Egypt have historically controlled this fixture, but recent knockout struggles underline how little margin for error exists at this stage. Later in Fes, Nigeria take on Mozambique, who are appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time. Nigeria arrive with three group-stage wins and a long unbeaten record against their opponents, but Mozambique’s freedom and willingness to attack set up a contrast between tournament pedigree and a side playing with nothing to lose.

Atlanta United & Elías Báez
Atlanta United have seen a revised offer for Elías Báez rejected by San Lorenzo according to German Garcia Grova, with the Argentine club deeming a $2.75 million bid plus bonuses insufficient. Negotiations remain ongoing, but San Lorenzo are clearly holding firm on valuation as talks continue.

Galaxy Hit Hard by Riqui Puig News
LA Galaxy face a brutal blow with Riqui Puig set to undergo knee surgery on the same ACL that wiped out his entire 2025 season. If Puig is ruled out for all of 2026, the Galaxy could place him on the season-ending injury list and free up a designated player slot, but losing the league’s ultimate possession metronome again would be a massive sporting loss.

The Luis Muriel Saga Drags On
Luis Muriel is willing to take a 50 percent pay cut, but his move to Junior is now in doubt due to unresolved sponsorship issues according to Pipe Sierra of AS Colombia. Orlando City have already informed Muriel he will not be part of their 2026 plans, and interest from Atlético Nacional lingers as this increasingly messy saga continues.

Ali Ahmed Heads to England
Vancouver Whitecaps have transferred winger Ali Ahmed to Norwich City, retaining a sell-on percentage in the deal. Ahmed leaves after 102 appearances, three Canadian Championship titles, and a rise to Canadian international, giving Vancouver flexibility as they build toward 2026.

Raphael Wicky Set for Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City are finalizing a deal to appoint Raphael Wicky as head coach according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, ushering in a new era after the long reign of Peter Vermes. Wicky inherits a roster in transition but one anchored by designated players Dejan Joveljić and Manu García, with room to reshape the squad alongside new CSO David Lee.

Red Bulls Closing in on Voloder
New York Red Bulls are close to completing a deal for center back Robert Voloder following his departure from Sporting KC. With Sean Nealis traded and the back line in flux, Voloder would immediately compete for minutes in a retooled Red Bulls defense.

Miljevic Staying in Argentina
Despite interest from Inter Miami, Matko Miljevic is headed to Racing Club, with a deal close to completion for roughly $3 million. Miljevic made clear his desire to remain in Argentine football, viewing Racing as the right next step in his career.

Today’s SDH AM features Abe Gordon of 92.9 The Game and Bart Keeler from the Soccer for US joining Jon Nelson. You can catch the show live now on the SDH YouTube, Twitch, and X channels, or watch and listen on demand later in the day.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Apple TV’s Kacey White joins the conversation alongside Rob Edwards, the majority shareholder of Morley Sports Management, fresh off the group’s acquisition of Hamilton Academical. It is a chance to dig into ownership, structure, and what sustainable club building looks like from the inside.

And later tonight at 8pm, Soccer Over There will go deeper on the Ruben Amorim fallout at Manchester United, with extended context and analysis as the story continues to evolve.

Real Madrid Stay in the Hunt
Real Madrid routed Real Betis 5–1 at the Bernabéu behind a hat trick from academy product Gonzalo García, deputizing brilliantly for the injured Kylian Mbappé. The win keeps Madrid four points back of leaders Barcelona and eases pressure on Xabi Alonso as the title race tightens.

Backing Vinícius, Whistles and All
Xabi Alonso insisted Vinícius Júnior remains “fundamental” to Madrid after the Brazilian was whistled by parts of the Bernabéu crowd. With a Supercopa semifinal against Atlético Madrid looming, Alonso emphasized maturity on both sides as Vinícius works through a goal drought amid ongoing contract speculation.

Paris Is Still Red and Blue
Paris Saint-Germain claimed city bragging rights with a 2–1 win over Paris FC, sealed by a deflected Ousmane Dembélé strike moments after the visitors equalized. PSG move within one point of Ligue 1 leaders Lens, with the neighbors set to meet again next week in the Coupe de France.

Napoli Win, Then Chaos
Napoli opened 2026 with a 2–0 win at Lazio, goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani continuing strong late-2025 form. A wild finish followed with three red cards and a touchline scuffle involving Antonio Conte, as Napoli stayed third ahead of a massive clash with Inter next weekend.

Aberdeen Pull the Plug
Aberdeen have dismissed manager Jimmy Thelin despite his historic Scottish Cup triumph last May, citing underperformance relative to investment. First-team coach Peter Leven takes over on an interim basis with a daunting trip to Rangers next.

Strasbourg Succession Watch
Gary O’Neil has held talks to become the next head coach of Strasbourg as Liam Rosenior edges closer to the Chelsea job. A final decision is expected soon, with O’Neil among the last candidates standing after time out since leaving Wolves.

Herdman Takes on Indonesia
Former Canada boss John Herdman has been named head coach of Indonesia, with his first matches coming in March during the FIFA Series in Jakarta. The PSSI hailed the appointment as the start of a new era after Patrick Kluivert’s exit.

DAZN Forced to Stay the Course in Belgium
Streaming giant DAZN has been ordered to continue broadcasting Belgium’s Pro League through the end of the 2025–26 season and to pay outstanding rights fees. The ruling ends weeks of uncertainty and echoes DAZN’s recent turbulence in Ligue 1 negotiations.

Club América Strengthen the Engine Room
Club América have signed Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Dourado for the Clausura 2026, adding experience and bite to their midfield. The former Atlético de San Luis and Internacional player reunites with André Jardine and deepens an already loaded Azulcrema core.

From Old Trafford to Rabat, the throughline today is instability and intent. Manchester United pressed reset again, the Premier League spun through late goals and managerial uncertainty, and AFCON delivered both control and chaos as Morocco marched on and Cameroon reopened old wounds. At home, MLS roster chess continued in earnest, while Europe’s title races tightened, tempers flared, and familiar institutions made hard decisions.

That is Monday’s landscape. Busy, unsettled, and already pointing toward what comes next. We will keep connecting the dots — from Atlanta to everywhere — and do it all again tomorrow.

Jason