Keith Andrews was appointed Brentford boss and Ruud van Nistelrooy was shown the door at Leicester.

Chelsea prepared to meet Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 as England Under-21s focused on becoming European champions again.

Andrews is the Bees’ knees

Our New Head Coach 🐝 pic.twitter.com/rwWgCDboMw — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 27, 2025

Brentford have appointed Keith Andrews as their new head coach.

The Bees have been without a boss since Thomas Frank took up the vacancy at Tottenham left by Ange Postecoglou.

Andrews, the former Wolves and Republic of Ireland midfielder, has been working as the Bees’ set-piece coach.

The 44-year-old has now now been promoted to the top coaching job, saying he felt “humbled” and “honoured” to have been appointed.

Andrews said: “I’m very appreciative of the owner (Matthew Benham), the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It’s an opportunity I feel I’m very capable of doing and ready to do.”

Young Lions’ glory bid

England are close to European Under-21 Championship glory again with a final date against Germany on Saturday.

Lee Carsley’s Young Lions’ victory beat the Netherlands this week to put them within one match of retaining their crown in Slovakia.

Harvey Elliott was the star of the show against the Dutch, and the Liverpool attacking midfielder is sure to be a key threat again.

Senior England boss Thomas Tuchel is set to make the journey to Bratislava and cast his gaze over players keen to impress him ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

“If he does come it will be extra motivation for the lads to win,” skipper James McAtee said. “More reason to impress the manager.”

Another Chelsea chance for Delap?

Summer signing Liam Delap hopes to shine for Chelsea once more in their Club World Cup tie against Benfica.

The competition has reached the knockout stage and Blues boss Enzo Maresca has promised further rotation because of the American heat.

But Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson remains suspended after being handed a two-match ban for his straight red card against Flamengo.

That could mean another start for Delap, who has impressed in the tournament so far and scored his first Chelsea goal against Esperance Tunis.

Ruud ending as Foxes sack boss

Leicester City Football Club and Ruud van Nistelrooy have mutually agreed that Ruud’s contract with the Club as First Team Manager will terminate with immediate effect. — Leicester City (@LCFC) June 27, 2025

Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Van Nistelrooy was appointed at the King Power Stadium in November, but was unable to steer the club away from danger.

Leicester’s return to the Sky Bet Championship was sealed with five games of the season to play, and Van Nistelrooy’s departure had been expected.

The former Manchester United and Netherlands forward called for talks with the Foxes hierarchy as soon as relegation was confirmed, but was left hanging for several weeks.

The delay since the end of the season is understood to have hinged around the start of a new accounting period, which begins on Monday.

What’s on today?

England Under-21s go in search of a second successive continental crown when they play Germany in the European Championship final.

The Young Lions won the competition two years ago for the first time since 1984 and have eliminated Spain and Netherlands in the knockout stages.

The round of 16 at the Club World Cup gets underway with Chelsea playing Benfica in Charlotte, and Palmeiras and Botafogo meeting in an all-Brazil battle in Philadelphia.

Elsewhere, long-time Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has left the Merseyside club, while England coasted past Jamaica in their final European Women’s Championship warm-up.

Pedro Chelsea-bound

Brighton’s Joao Pedro is on his way to Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton striker Joao Pedro, the PA news agency understands, for a fee reported to be £60million.

It has also been reported the 23-year-old has agreed a seven-year deal with the Blues and could feature for them in the on-going Club World Cup after flying from Brazil to the US for his medical.

Pedro could make his Chelsea debut in Friday’s quarter-final clash against Palmeiras in Philadelphia.

The Brazilian, who will become Chelsea’s sixth summer signing, scored 10 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for Brighton last season.

City still seeking successful reset

Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes believes the team has developed a “different energy” at the Club World Cup (John Raoux/AP)

Manchester City will bid to join Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup as they come up against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Monday.

City were the only team in the tournament to win all three of their group games and will hope to carry that momentum into their last-16 outing in Orlando.

Unlike Chelsea, who are trying to add a final flourish to a 2024-25 season in which they won the Conference League, City have been trying to make a fresh start in the United States.

“We’re still early in the season, but I think the energy is different,” said Matheus Nunes.

“I think last year we were a little down in terms of spirit, but we know what it means to play for Manchester City and this season that’s definitely going to change.”

Toone gets two as England complete Euros preparation

Ella Toone scored two in England’s 7-0 friendly win over Jamaica (David Davies/PA)

England signed off their last assignment before the European Women’s Championship in style with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Jamaica at the King Power Stadium.

The Lionesses were looking to gather some momentum before they faced France in their Euros curtain-raiser next Saturday and were more or less out of sight at the half-time whistle.

Ella Toone struck twice from distance either side of Lucy Bronze’s header to give England a three-goal lead at the break, but things could have been different if Kayla McKenna’s effort for the visitors had not been ruled out by VAR for offside at 1-0.

England still had room for more though. Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones and Beth Mead also got in on the act to give England the perfect send off before they attempt to defend their European crown.

Calvert-Lewin bids farewell to Everton

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s nine-year Everton career is over (Peter Byrne/PA)

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is to leave Everton after nine years with the club.

The striker endured a difficult final season, scoring three goals in 26 league appearances and missing over three months between January and May due to injury.

“After nine remarkable years at this club, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision – together with my family – to begin a new chapter in my career,” the forward wrote on Instagram.

“This isn’t something I chose lightly. We believe it’s the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.”

What’s on today?

Defeated Champions League finalists Inter Milan face Brazil’s Fluminense in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.

Gareth Bale is pursuing the purchase of Cardiff while Bayern Munich were beaten in their final Club World Cup game.

The heat is on for the Young Lions

Lee Carsley will not allow the heat to be an excuse as England Under-21s prepare to face the Netherlands in the European Championship semi-finals in Bratislava, where temperatures will swelter above 30 degrees celsius.

Carsley’s side beat tournament favourites Spain in the quarter-finals to take a big step towards defending their title in Slovakia.

“We’ve not shied away from the heat,” Carsley said. “We’ve exposed the players to it fully. We’re ready for it. We’re fully prepared now.”

Benfica beat Bayern

🦅 @SLBenfica secure an historic win against @FCBayern to move things around in Group C. 🔢 — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 24, 2025

Benfica topped Group C of the Club World Cup with a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.

Andreas Schjelderup’s early goal settled the match in sweltering conditions in Charlotte as the Portuguese side set up a last-16 tie with Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis.

This was their first ever victory over the German champions and Bruno Lage’s side could be dark horses for the tournament.

Bayern dominated the second half and had chances to earn at least a draw, with Joshua Kimmich having a goal disallowed and Leroy Sane missing two big one-on-one chances, as they go through to play Flamengo.

Bale’s big plans

Gareth Bale wants to buy Cardiff (Adam Davy/PA)

Gareth Bale believes he is the right person to lead Cardiff back to the Premier League and intends to be heavily involved if the investment group he is working with complete a takeover, a source close to the 35-year-old has said.

Bale spoke publicly about his interest in purchasing the League One club on Monday, saying it would be a “dream come true” if a deal could be done.

Asked what sort of role Bale might take on, the source said: “A very significant one. He is not going to be a bit-part player.

“This is a guy who has been super-successful and doesn’t need to put his name to something just for the sake of it. He would be heavily involved. He believes he is the right person for this.”

Boro choose Edwards

A message from Rob 🤳 pic.twitter.com/2Qp0Gkeomg — Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) June 24, 2025

Rob Edwards has been appointed as Middlesbrough’s new head coach on a three-year deal.

The 42-year-old, who left Luton by mutual consent in January, replaces former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick, whose reign was brought to a close earlier this month after the Teessiders missed out on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “Middlesbrough are delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Edwards as our new head coach.

“A Premier League promotion winner, he joins the club on a three-year contract and is joined in the dugout by Adi Viveash and Harry Watling.

What’s on today?

England Under-21s will hope to emulate the senior team 12 months ago by beating the Netherlands in the European Championship semi-final.

Germany and France battle it out in the other semi-finals.

Group F of the Club World Cup comes to a close as Borussia Dortmund take on Ulsan HD while Mamelodi Sundowns play Fluminense.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Inter Milan are up against River Plate and Urawa Reds play Monterrey.