Steve Bruce has been revealed as a leading contender to become the next Jamaica head coach. He is among a shortlist of four names being earmarked by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to lead the Boyz into the next World Cup finals.

 The 63-year-old former English Premier League manager was last in charge at West Bromwich Albion, but he was given the boot by the Championship club in October 2022.

 The ex-Manchester United defender has never managed at the international level but has been in charge at 11 different clubs in England and amassed over a thousand matches. His CV includes being head coach with Aston Villa and Newcastle.

 Jamaica have been without a coach since Icelander Heimir Hallgrímsson resigned last month following a poor Copa America 2024 campaign and promptly took over the Republic of Ireland hot seat.

 With over 30 serious applications received by the JFF, which included ex-Manchester United players Ole Solsjaer (Norway international) and Dwight Yorke (Trinidad & Tobago), there has been a gradual process to narrow it down.

 JFF president Michael Ricketts, who is not part of the selection process, has publicly expressed that he personally prefers to have an England-based head coach as Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz prepare to tackle the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. There were murmurs that former West Ham United boss David Moyes could be a surprise appointment, although that appears to have only been rumours.

 Whoever takes over the role will be expected to guide the Boyz to the next World Cup finals, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

 These three nations are Jamaica’s biggest rivals in the CONCACAF region. As they have been given automatic berths for football’s biggest competition, the Boyz are expected to breeze into the World Cup finals for only the second time in their history.

 The other names believed to be on JFF’s shortlist are Deon Burton, Miguel Coley and Jose Peseiro.

 British-born Burton is the U23 coach of West Bromwich Albion. The 47-year-old won the 1997 Jamaican Sportsman of the Year award after bagging four goals in five games during the Boyz’ successful 1998 World Cup qualifiers. He played in all three games at France ‘98 but failed to find the back of the net.

 Jamaican Coley, 41, has served as assistant manager and U23 head coach with the Boyz. He has recently been in the UAE with various clubs.

 The standout name being touted is former striker Peseiro. The 64-year-old Portuguese has managed at international level with Saudi Arabia (2009-11), Venezuela (2020-21) and Nigeria (2022-24).

 Peseiro was given the boot by Saudi Arabia, left Venezuela because he had not been paid for over a year and quit Nigeria in March following 22 successful months. He guided Nigeria to the 2023 African Cup of Nations final, where they lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast, and was awarded the Order of the Niger by President Bola Tinubu for his achievements.

 The JFF Technical Committee is anticipated to decide on one candidate this week, with an announcement expected as early as August 1 to reveal the new Jamaica head coach. The next game for the Boyz is the Nations League tie against Cuba at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Jack Grealish said his omission from England's Euro 2024 squad was "the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with".

Grealish was left out by Gareth Southgate, despite having been a regular in England's set-up since 2021.

The playmaker, who joined City from Aston Villa for £100million after helping England reach the final of Euro 2020, endured a stop-start campaign for Pep Guardiola's team in 2023-24.

Grealish scored three goals and set up a further three in 36 appearances in all competitions for City last season, but injuries and a loss of form meant he often had to settle for a cameo role. 

But after missing out on Euro 2024, the 28-year-old has additional motivation to get back to his best.

"I'll be honest it was probably, football-wise, the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with in my career," Grealish said ahead of City's pre-season clash with Barcelona.

"I was absolutely heartbroken and then obviously when you're on your holidays, wherever I was, every time you turn on the phone or turn on the TV or whatever, you just see it. So it was hard to not to see it.

"For myself now, moving forward, I have to just try to use that as motivation going into this season and try to have the same mentality as I had two years ago.

"In my first season at City I don't think I performed as well as I could and in the second season I played in a lot of the games and that was down to the first season. I had wanted to come back stronger and I certainly did that, so hopefully I can do that again.

"This is my chance to get my fitness, to have a two-week head start and try to be as fit as possible. And I'm playing with confidence. I feel like that's what I need and fingers crossed I can do that."

In Guardiola, however, Grealish feels he has the ideal mentor.

He added: "I always speak to him. I won't go into too much detail about what we speak about because that's between me and him.

"He's been so good for me in the three years I've been here - there’s not too many people better to take advice from. Pep is a master in this game."

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes the Reds have the quality to challenge for the Premier League next season.

Liverpool were part of a three-horse race for top spot for the majority of last season, along with Manchester City and Arsenal.

However, a run of poor results in April saw them drop out of contention, eventually finishing nine points behind Pep Guardiola's side in Jurgen Klopp's final season in charge.

Arne Slot has stepped into the German's shoes, having been picked for a similar style of tactics to his predecessor, and questions have been asked whether Liverpool can pick up where they left off under a new manager.

And Leiva, who played for the Reds for 10 years between 2007 and 2017, has backed them to do just that.

"I think Liverpool can challenge against [Manchester] City, against Arsenal," Leiva told Stats Perform.

"Last year, like I said, Liverpool missed out in the last four weeks of the season. Of course, it will be difficult.

"Man City and Arsenal and other teams are getting stronger, and we know how difficult it is to beat Man City. But Liverpool showed last year the quality to challenge with a lot of young players coming through, and it was very positive.

"I don't see why Liverpool could not challenge Man City this year for the Premier League. I think the team is very good, and of course, other players will arrive to help."

Despite the optimism surrounding Liverpool's new manager, there are concerns over whether key players will still be at Anfield come the end of the season.

Mohamed Salah is entering the final year of his contract and has attracted interest from a number of Saudi Pro League clubs.

The Egyptian has scored 211 goals since joining the Reds in 2017, though his Premier League tally of 18 goals was his least prolific season for them, and Leiva thinks he may have a point to prove under the new manager.

"Mo, what a player he has been for the club," Leiva said. "We know that he came under Jurgen, but I think Mo has got a point to prove as well now.

"He will be a very important player, not only on the pitch, but off it as well. On the pitch, he's been amazing, and he's scored a lot of goals. He has been one of the best [players] in the history of the club.

"But with a new manager coming in now, I think he will need the senior players to help the other guys to settle in, even the new manager to settle in. So, Mo will be really important as well off the pitch. And I'm sure that he has many, many good years ahead of him in the Liverpool shirt."

Another Liverpool stalwart entering the final year of his contract is captain Virgil van Dijk, who has been a talismanic presence since joining from Southampton in 2018.

Only four players have made more appearances than his 197 since making the move to Anfield, and Leiva is confident he will not be leaving any time soon.

"I expect Virgil to stay. He's under contract," he added.

"He's the captain of the team. He had a great Euro, and the same as Mo, he will be really important.

"[Arne] is a Dutch manager, so he will play a big part in helping this new team, this new Liverpool team, going forward. Now he's on holiday, and hopefully, he will come back recharged and ready to go."

Trent Alexander-Arnold rounds out the trio with their future up in the air going into the new season.

The right-back, who started in the Liverpool academy in 2004 aged six, has been integral to Liverpool in recent seasons.

He was involved in the most attacking sequences among Liverpool defenders in the league last season (151), and Leiva is adamant the club should make it a priority to keep the home-grown talent.

"I've known Trent since he was 16 years old. He started when I was playing for the club, and at that young age we could see how good he was," Leiva said.

"He's a Liverpool player born in Liverpool. He is what Liverpool means.

"I think it's really important to keep your best players, and Trent is one of them. Like I said, he's a Scouser, and I'm sure that he'll be focusing on helping the team.

"He's a vice-captain of the team. He's grown so much in the last few seasons, and like all the senior players, I think these players now will play a big part in the new team. Helping the young lads coming through, as well as the academy.

"So, of course, with contract talks, you always have speculation, but I think you know it's really important for Trent to stay at the club because it's his home and I know how much it means to him to play for Liverpool."

Manchester City attacker Julian Alvarez will not make a decision on his future before Argentina's Olympics campaign is over.

Alvarez has been a useful member of Pep Guardiola's squad over the past two seasons.

However, with Erling Haaland the clear first-choice striker, Alvarez has often had to deputise in an attacking midfield role, particularly as cover for Kevin De Bruyne.

The 24-year-old, who is representing Argentina at the Paris Olympics after he helped his country win the Copa America earlier this summer, is reportedly drawing interest from Atletico Madrid, but he has not yet made a decision on whether he wishes to leave City.

"There is a lot of talk," said Alvarez ahead of Argentina’s clash with Ukraine.

"I am focused here [at the Olympics] because it is a short tournament. At Manchester City I feel very good, I played a lot of minutes.

"But we will see after the Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide.

"Maybe it's annoying to be out in big games, players always want to help on the pitch. But my season was good, so I'm very happy."

Alvarez featured in 54 games in all competitions for City last season, more than any other player, though 15 of those were substitute appearances.

He scored 19 goals, outperforming his 17.5 expected goals (xG) while also contributing 13 assists, a tally bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne (17), with just Phil Foden (107) creating more chances than Alvarez (98).

Guardiola is eager to keep Alvarez on board, though conceded there is only so much he can do to keep the player happy.

"I don't think about replacing [him]," Guardiola said.

"I know he wants to play in important moments, but the other players [want that] too.

"We have 18 or 19 players who want to play in the important games.

"I read he has to think about it, so OK, think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do."

Lucas Leiva believes Jurgen Klopp's "unique" coaching style would be a perfect fit if he were to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.

Southgate stepped down as Three Lions boss after eight years following their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final earlier this month.

The 53-year-old led England to their first-ever Euros final in 2021 before reaching the showpiece match on foreign soil at a major tournament for the first time in their history.

However, he also became the first manager to lose two consecutive finals in the competition.

During his tenure, he was often accused of being overly cautious at times, despite the team scoring 213 goals during his 102 matches in charge.

Klopp, who ended his nine-year stay at Anfield in May, is one of the names being linked with the vacant job, and former Liverpool midfielder Leiva believes the German would be a success in the role.

"I think his coaching style can adapt to any club, to any national team, because Jurgen, the way he manages, is unique," Leiva told Stats Perform.

"I don't know if he will accept that, because maybe he's having a rest, having a break. But, as a Brazilian, if he gets the English national team, I'll be very worried because I know how he works.

"Of course, with a national team you always have less time to work with the team, and the way he plays, it needs time.

"But, if he gets the English national team, of course I'll be supporting him because he's a fantastic guy, a fantastic manager. And I think his style can be a success."

Julian Alvarez has expressed doubts over his Manchester City future after being left out of 'important games'.

Alvarez played 2657 minutes in the Premier League for City last season, his most in a single campaign since joining the club in January 2022.

He made 31 starts in the league, though mainly as an attacking midfielder, and in other competitions, including the Champions League and FA Cup, in which the Citizens reached the final, he was often second choice to Erling Haaland.

The Argentinian, who is currently representing his country at the Olympics, admitted his frustration at not getting a chance in big games when asked about his future.

"I haven't stopped to think about what I'm going to do," Alvarez told DIRECTV Sports.

"Last season I was one of the players who played the most minutes in the team.

"But it's true: in the end, in some important games, it's not pleasant to be left out. I will have time to consider my decision.

"I haven't stopped to think things through calmly. Once the Olympic Games are over, I will take the time to reflect on what I want for myself."

Alvarez has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for City in all competitions, also providing 18 assists.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in the 24-year-old's signature should he decide to move away from the Etihad.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £42million. 

Calafiori, who will wear the number 33 shirt for the Gunners, has penned a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old centre-half made 37 appearances for Bologna last season, helping the Serie A club qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 1964-65 campaign.

His impressive performances in the heart of defence earned a first senior international call-up earlier this year, while he subsequently represented Italy at Euro 2024.

Arsenal's Sporting Director Edu Gaspar said: "It has been a great team effort in completing this transfer, and we welcome Riccardo to the family.

"Riccardo has consistently shown his quality for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season and gave strong performances for Italy in the Euros this summer.

"Mikel [Arteta] and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt."

Calafiori is Arsenal's second major signing ahead of the 2024-25 season after Mikel Arteta made David Raya's initial loan move from Brentford permanent earlier this month.

He could make his debut when the Gunners host Wolves on August 17 in their opening match of the new Premier League campaign.

Marta has urged Brazil to bounce back quickly from their stoppage-time defeat to Japan at the Olympics on Sunday.

The Brazil great made her 200th appearance for the national team in their second group-stage game, but it was marred by a late lapse in concentration that saw Japan score twice in stoppage time to win 2-1.

Jhennifer's 56th-minute goal looked set to book Brazil a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, but instead, they slipped down to third in Group C after Saki Kumagai and Momoko Tanikawa's goals.

And with world champions Spain up next for the two-time silver medallists, Marta, who is retiring at the end of the year, noted why it is so important that they quickly put that result behind them.

"All that mattered to Japan was winning the game," Marta said. "We took our eye off the ball and that has obviously ended up costing us.

"We could have been here celebrating a win, but instead we have to remain focused. But it's not over yet. We have to give it everything as a group. That is football. Anything can happen. Nothing has been decided."

The top two teams in each of the three groups advance into the knockout rounds, along with the two best third-place sides.

While Brazil would go through as things stand, that could all change on the final day, and head coach Arthur Elias echoed Marta's call to learn from the loss.

"I need to make amends, I need to tell the players the truth, no matter if it hurts," he said. "They obviously need to reflect. But I really recognise the effort of each and every one of them."

Arne Slot is bringing an "elegant" style of play to Liverpool, and Harvey Elliott is relishing a "fresh start" under the Dutchman.

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at the start of July, with the latter having called time on his near nine-year stint at Anfield.

Klopp led Liverpool to great success during his time at the club, and Slot acknowledged he has big shoes to fill.

But Elliott, who was a regular under Klopp last season, playing 34 times in the Premier League and scoring three goals, says former Feyenoord boss Slot has hit the ground running.

"It's [a] very elegant, Dutch style, it's very nice," Elliott said, as reported by BBC Sport.

"The style of play is a lot different. It's more about in possession now.

"The players are excited, we play certain patterns, it is a good buzz around the team and the lads are excited to apply it in games.

"It's a fresh start for everyone. I don't think it is nerves but excitement. I think we will learn very quickly.

"We have seen in the last game there were certain moments where the amazing football was free-flowing.

"It's pre-season and it is only the first couple of games and we need to keep trusting what they are teaching us. We need to keep going if things don't work out [immediately] because it is all new."

Liverpool beat Real Betis 1-0 in their opening pre-season friendly under Slot in the United States, and next up is a test against Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Despite his strong performances for the Reds, Elliott was not included in England's squad for Euro 2024, and the 21-year-old's next aim is to cement himself in Slot's line-up to earn a Three Lions call-up.

He said: "It's just down to me to put in the work, put in the performances.

"You can say it all you want but it is down to me to work as hard as I can, perform in training and games, so it is on myself. There's no one I could blame apart from me.

"I just wanted to come back early to get to grips with the new style of play and meet the coaching staff and gaffer for the first time.

"It gives me a chance to get up and running in pre-season. I feel like I've done that. I just need to keep going and building."

Vanessa Gilles scored a 112th-minute winner as Canada put their off-field issues aside to beat hosts France 2-1 at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

After being found guilty of using a drone to film opponents' training at this and past tournaments, the Tokyo champions had six points deducted, while head coach Bev Priestman has been banned from all football-related activity for one year.

The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) are considering an appeal against the decision, but those controversies were put to one side when the team took to the field.

Starting the day bottom on -3 points, Canada, led by Andy Spence, had to come from behind to beat France after Marie-Antoinette Katoto put Les Bleues ahead just before half-time.

Jessie Fleming equalised from close range in the 58th minute, but Canada fought back, with Gilles getting some help from the woodwork to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Colombia's comfortable 2-0 victory over New Zealand means they now lead Group A after two games thanks to their goal difference.

Elsewhere, in Group C, Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare after a 1-0 win over Nigeria.

Alexia Putellas' long-range strike maintained La Roja's perfect start to the tournament as they bid to become the first team to win Olympic gold after lifting the Women's World Cup.

In the other group game, Japan ruined the party for Marta, who made her 200th appearance for Brazil in a shock 2-1 defeat.

Despite Mina Tanaka's penalty miss in the first half, Japan launched a comeback after Jheniffer's opener, with Saki Kumagai and Momoko Tanikawa both scoring in stoppage time to move second.

The game of the day came in Group B though, as Australia edged out Zambia in an 11-goal thriller.

Barbra Banda's hat-trick gave the minnows a 5-2 lead, but they could not hold onto it as Michelle Heyman made it 6-5 in the 90th minute to snatch a win.

The United States booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympic Games with a match to spare after a commanding 4-1 victory over Germany.

Sophia Smith netted a first-half double on either side of Mallory Swanson's goal before Lynn Williams wrapped up the points late on.

Giulia Gwinn had given Germany hope by equalising, but the USA were too strong as they ruthlessly booked a place in the knockout rounds.

The USA made a quick start, with Smith darting in front of her marker to slot a close-range tap-in past Ann-Katrin Berger, only for Gwinn to cancel it out 11 minutes later with a pinpoint shot into the bottom-left corner.

Emma Hayes' side soon asserted their dominance though – Swanson reacted quickest to latch onto Smith's saved shot, firing in from an acute angle on the left.

Smith then got her second just before the break, helped by a huge deflection, as her effort looped over Berger before bouncing over the line off the inside of the far post.

Jule Brand struck the woodwork just after the hour mark before further misery was piled on the Germans as captain Alexandra Popp was forced off late in the second half with a knee injury that they will be hoping is not too serious. 

Williams rounded things off by making a quick impact off the bench, finishing off a lightning-quick counter-attack just under four minutes after coming on. 

Data Debrief: Smith and Swanson on song

The USA got the job done in the first half, ensuring Hayes became just the second coach to win each of their first two major tournament matches in charge, after Anson Dorrance in the 1991 World Cup.

Swanson added to her double against Zambia with another goal in Marseille and is just the second player in USA's history to net three times in the group stage of a single Olympics, after Abby Wambach in 2012.

Before today, the winner of each of the five previous major tournament meetings between the USA and Germany has gone on to win the entire tournament, and Hayes will be hoping that is a good sign of what is to come.

Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Regionalliga West side Duren Merzenich in the second match of their 2024-25 preseason preparations.

The Bundesliga giants, who thumped FC Rottach-Egern 14-1 in Vincent Kompany's first game in charge, were unable to make it two wins from two against their German fourth-tier opponents.

Kompany fielded a starting XI featuring the likes of Leon Goretzka, Kim Min-Jae, Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Dier, but they fell behind to Rafael Garcia's strike five minutes before half-time.

Bayern made eight changes in the 66th minute and, three minutes later, one of them equalised as 18-year-old Nestory Irankunda brought them back on level terms.

Next up for Kompany's side is a trip to the Far East, where they will play Premier League side Tottenham in Seoul on Saturday.

Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Regionalliga West side Duren Merzenich in the second match of their 2024-25 preseason preparations.

The Bundesliga giants, who thumped FC Rottach-Egern 14-1 in Vincent Kompany's first game in charge, were unable to make it two wins from two against their German fourth-tier opponents.

Kompany fielded a starting XI featuring the likes of Leon Goretzka, Kim Min-Jae, Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Dier, but they fell behind to Rafael Garcia's strike five minutes before half-time.

Bayern made eight changes in the 66th minute and, three minutes later, one of them equalised as 18-year-old Nestory Irankunda brought them back on level terms.

Next up for Kompany's side is a trip to the Far East, where they will play Premier League side Tottenham in Seoul on Saturday.

Ederson says he has yet to make a decision about his future at Manchester City amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.

The Brazilian goalkeeper has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad this transfer window, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr interested in his signature, though the latter reportedly pulled out of the race.

Pep Guardiola is keen to keep his goalkeeper at the club, saying "I wish from the bottom of my heart Eddie will continue with us" when asked about the prospect of him leaving.

Ederson has proved an integral figure for City since arriving from Benfica in 2017, making 332 appearances in all competitions and keeping 155 clean sheets.

The 30-year-old is currently on City's pre-season tour of the United States having missed the Copa America with an eye injury, and started their 3-2 defeat to Milan in New York on Saturday.

Speaking after that game, Ederson admitted he still did not know where his future lies, but welcomed the praise from Guardiola.

"There isn't a decision yet," he said. "To hear Pep saying that was very gratifying.

"It's now my eighth season with him, living many good moments, also some bad ones. He's a guy who is easy to work with, he's a football genius and everyone knows that. So, it's really good to hear that from him.

"I'm happy here, having a good moment with my team-mates. I'm enjoying as well to get my fitness back on track. I'm very calm, whatever happens is in God's hands and he knows the right way to go. Whatever he gives me I'll be happy with."

City's next friendly on their pre-season tour will see them face Guardiola's former side Barcelona in Orlando on Tuesday.