The Briefing: Latest on Klopp's future, another Villa signing and more

Klopp set to become Germany boss

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he is set to take up his first managerial role since leaving Liverpool in 2024.

Earlier this month, the German Football Association stated that they would “seek talks” with Klopp over becoming the country’s new head coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following their round of 32 FIFA World Cup exit to Paraguay.

Klopp has served as Red Bull’s global head of soccer since late 2024, but he says he has reached an agreement with his current employers.

“Nothing has been finalised yet,” he said on Magenta TV. “But the talks have gone well, and everything is moving in the right direction.

“I’ve reached an agreement and an arrangement with Red Bull – a very, very generous one, if you like. So, practically speaking, nothing stands in the way anymore.”

He added: “It [the announcement] should happen within the next few days, ideally. After all, there are only 60 days until the next international match. At some point, a decision has to be made, and it will be made.”

Klopp spent nine years at Liverpool, winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and two EFL Cups with the club.

Golden Ball winner Rodri ‘completes football’

Amid Spain’s celebrations, a moment of realisation swept across the sporting world that the World Cup winners’ captain Rodri had effectively completed football.

The Manchester City midfielder was at his brilliant best in Sunday’s final, putting in a customary controlling performance that earned him the FIFA Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup. That, coupled with Spain’s triumph, means Rodri has won almost every major team and individual honour there is.

With Spain, Rodri is a current UEFA European Championships, UEFA Nations League and World Cup holder. Staggeringly, he was named best player at all three tournaments.

With Man City, he has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, a UEFA Champions League, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. He also claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or for the best player in world football.

His latest triumph also puts him alongside the all-time greats as one of just seven players to win the World Cup, Ballon d’Or, Champions League and their country’s international continental title, following Franz Beckenbauer (Germany), Gerd Muller (Germany), Zinedine Zidane (France), Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldinho (Brazil) and Lionel Messi (Argentina).

Gomes continues Villa midfield overhaul

Aston Villa’s midfield overhaul continues to gather pace with confirmation that Joao Gomes has made the short trip across the Midlands and signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Brazilian is Villa’s second central midfield signing over the past week, after Johan Manzambi arrived from Freiburg. The incomings may not stop there with reports linking Villa with a loan move for Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha, who spent last season at Tottenham Hotspur.

Unai Emery has been swift to strengthen that area following the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the long-term loss of Amadou Onana, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup. Morgan Rogers has also been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, as reported by The Athletic among others on Saturday.

Gomes joined Wolves in 2023 from Flemango, where he earned the nickname “The Pitbull” for his combative performances. A defensive midfielder – although he is capable of operating in a box-to-box role – he was a near ever-present in three campaigns for Wolves, impressing even as they were relegated last season.

Watch: Joao Gomes' best crunching tackles

Among all Premier League midfielders, he ranked second for duels won (226) last season, third for tackles (107) and fourth for possession won (194).

Switzerland midfielder Manzambi joined the club last Friday after impressing at the World Cup. Extremely versatile, he played as a left winger and attacking midfielder for his country, but primarily operates as a box-to-box central midfielder.

‘Good signs’ on Santos' Man Utd debut

Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick said there were “good signs” from new signing Andrey Santos, as the Brazilian made his first appearance for the club in a pre-season defeat against Wrexham.

Santos moved from Chelsea last week and took his place alongside Mason Mount at the base of a central midfield trio for the pre-season friendly in Helsinki, Finland.

United fielded a strong side for the first half, featuring the likes of Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu. Yet they fell behind to a Sam Smith goal shortly before half-time, with an entirely different United XI taking the field after the break.

Santos largely occupied the role vacated by his fellow Brazilian Casemiro, who left the club after the expiration of his contract, dropping deepest of the midfield contingent.

“I thought Andrey and Mason did some really good things and connected really well. I could see some positives there,” Carrick told MUTV. “There were good signs from Andrey on his first one, he’s getting in the rhythm and feel of it again, so it was good to see him in a red shirt.”

Many of United’s World Cup players, including newly-signed Tielemans, were not involved as they take a break before returning to club duties.

Pre-season round-up as Glasner wins first Forest match

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner began his reign with a 2-0 pre-season victory over neighbours Notts County. Morgan Gibbs-White provided a glorious ball for Igor Jesus to score the first, with Arnaud Kalimuendo then adding a second.

“It was a very good first test. I’m really pleased with the performance,” said Glasner. “We scored some lovely goals and we defended very well as a team.”

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