Related items

• 'One of the world's great players' - Casillas tips Bellingham as future Real Madrid captain

  Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes Jude Bellingham has all the makings of a future captain after his impressive debut season in LaLiga.

  Bellingham finished as top scorer with 19 goals to help Madrid to their 36th LaLiga title while also providing six assists, and was voted LaLiga Player of the Season.

  He scored a further four for Los Blancos in the Champions League as they won a record-extending 15th continental title.

  The 20-year-old is also a key figure in Gareth Southgate's side at Euro 2024 and scored England's winning goal when they beat Serbia 1-0 in their group opener last Sunday.

  Casillas is pleased with how quickly Bellingham adapted to life in Madrid and expects him to continue his impressive rise in the coming seasons, even though he will be asked to take on more responsibility.

  "Bellingham has made it at the most important club in the world and has shown that he is a great player and that he can be there," Casillas said.

  "Now, and next year, more may be asked of him, but that is what will make him a star.

  "Let's see if he can also consolidate this way of playing. He is one of the great players in the world."

  Casillas, who himself was Real Madrid captain, added: "He can surely be the captain of Real Madrid, of course.

  "He has everything to form the role.

  "There are more experienced players at the top [now], but I would advise him to continue learning from the veterans there, soaking up the history of the club, and to do everything he can to be a great player and captain.

  "He plays for England, who are very strong and already [made the final] in a tough championship three years ago. He has what it takes to adapt to the Euros."

  Spain also made a winning start to the European Championships, cruising past Croatia 3-0 in their first match in the so-called ‘group of death’.

  With a marquee match-up with Italy next up, Casillas thinks La Roja's chances at the tournament will be much clearer after the result is known on Thursday.

  Asked how far Spain can go, Casillas replied: "I don't know, there is still a lot of competition left and we have to play against Italy, which I think is going to be a more serious and a tougher challenge than Croatia.

  "I was impressed with Spain winning 3-0, which has encouraged me as the Spanish fan that I am.

  "But the match against Croatia was also a bit tricky, [the goals came] all at once Croatia had to do it all and, in the end, they were unlucky [to lose by three].

  "I think we must see how Spain perform in the next game [against Italy]. That is the match where we are going to really measure their strength. We will see how that goes."

  Casillas captained Spain to three major trophies, winning the Euros in back-to-back editions in 2008 and 2012, while also lifting the World Cup in 2010.

  "I remember the moments of intense concentration we had [when playing this tournament]," he added. "I started in the Euros in 2000, 24 years ago, when I was 18 years old, and from there it was so much growth, step by step as I improved my level.

  "Then I was very lucky to win two Euros trophies, and we got to contribute to making millions of Spaniards incredibly happy.

  "We haven't reached the maximum levels of passion for this tournament yet. From the quarter-finals onwards we will really see the teams that are strong after the group stage and round of 16 have been played.

  "That's where we will have a lot of fun! I have always loved this competition and really like it when they go to the quarter-finals."
   

  Iker Casillas is a brand ambassador for Hisense's UEFA EURO 2024 campaign BEYOND GLORY which celebrates the relentless pursuit of excellence shared by professional footballers aiming for EURO honours and Hisense’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the home appliance industry.

• Slot keen to build on Klopp legacy at Liverpool

  New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is keen to build on the solid foundations laid by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. 

  Slot, who led Feyenoord to their KNVB Cup success last season, officially started his position at the start of June as the Reds start life without Klopp, who won eight trophies during nine years on Merseyside. 

  Liverpool finished third in the Premier League, nine points behind winners Manchester City and seven behind runners-up Arsenal, lifting the Carabao Cup in February against Chelsea. 

  The Dutchman is optimistic his new side can once again challenge for the title in his first campaign in charge and is hopeful of continuing the good work Klopp started back in 2015. 

  "I think 82 points is a result of the playing style. Always the points you get is always a result of the way you play," Slot said in his first interview with the club. "I've seen many games already, I've seen many training sessions as well.

  "Of course the fans can see the games, so they know we have some very good players. But I've also seen a lot of training sessions already and this is where you bring the culture, and they are always working hard - like the fans see during the game.

  "A real good team, real good players, managed to be on top for a very long time, but I think in the end we would all love to see Liverpool a bit higher than third place and this is the challenge we are facing now - to build on from what we have.

  "I have all the confidence in this because of the players, that we can add a few things where we hopefully can get a bit more points than 82, which is necessary with the likes of Arsenal and City, to end up hopefully a bit higher than we did this season."

  Slot's appointment was confirmed in May, with comparisons between his style of play immediately compared to Klopp's. 

  During the 2024-25 campaign, Feyenoord won possession in the final third more than any other team in Europe's top five leagues, with Liverpool in second place. 

  The Dutchman added his attacking brand of football was similar to his predecessor, saying: "This is probably one of the reasons they came to me as well," Slot said.

  "We were all inspired by (Pep) Guardiola and Klopp and I think at a big club, which I worked in at Feyenoord as well, it is probably the only style you can play – to have the ball a lot, to have a lot of energy."

  Liverpool next play in a pre-season game against Real Betis on July 26. They start the new Premier League campaign away to Ipswich Town on August 17.

   

• Leicester announce Cooper as new manager

  Leicester City have announced Steve Cooper as their new manager following Enzo Maresca's move to Chelsea.

  Cooper, who left Nottingham Forest in December 2023, has signed a three-year contract with the Foxes ahead of their return to the Premier League.

  Maresca left the club earlier this month after just one season in charge, having led Leicester back to the top-flight at the first attempt, finishing top of the Championship.

  "I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City's First Team Manager," Cooper said. "This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters.

  "I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I'm looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League."

  In an open letter to the fans, he added: "Any person who loves football can only look with great respect upon how much this club has achieved in recent years.

  "The Premier League title of 2016 and the FA Cup of 2021 have demonstrated what's possible for a united club. As the new manager, I don’t take that legacy lightly.

  "My job will be to build on those achievements and to bring everyone along – players, staff and fans. Great challenges lie ahead, but I get the feeling that Leicester thrives in these moments. I know we will be ready."

  After taking over in September 2021, Cooper saved Forest from relegation in the Championship and led them to promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge before ensuring top-flight safety the following year.

  However, he left the club in December with the club sitting in 17th after a run of just one win in 13 matches.

  The Welshman has also previously been in charge of England Under-16s and Under-17s, winning the World Cup with the latter in 2017, and also spent two years at Swansea City.

  Cooper's first competitive game in charge will be at home to Tottenham on August 19.