WHY FRANCESCO FRANCESCO FARIOLI REJECTED CHELSEA DESPITE FLYING HIGH AT PORTO
Francesco Farioli rules out a move to Chelsea, leaving Liam Rosenior as the frontrunner. Calum McFarlane takes charge vs Man City.
Looks like Chelsea is steering clear of a familiar mistake this time. Porto’s Francesco Farioli, once linked to the manager’s job, has taken himself out of the running. So, the focus shifts to Liam Rosenior, who’s in charge of Strasbourg—Chelsea’s sister club. After Enzo Maresca’s surprise exit on New Year’s Day, Rosenior has become the bookmakers’ top pick.
There’s been chatter about other names, too—Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth, Oliver Glasner from Crystal Palace, and even big names like Zidane and Xavi. But when you cut through the noise, it’s really down to just two serious options. Rosenior’s already got strong ties with the Stamford Bridge brass, which puts him ahead in the race.
Farioli was a genuine candidate for a minute, and you can see why. Porto sits on top of the Primeira Liga, four points clear of Sporting CP, and they haven’t lost a domestic game. They’re also in the top eight in the Europa League. But Porto fans can breathe easy—he’s not going anywhere. Turns out, he’s got a £13 million release clause, and that’s a hefty price for Chelsea to pay. Plus, Farioli himself shut down the rumors. “I am staying at FC Porto, sure. There is no doubt—and there has never been any doubt—about that. For me, leaving in the middle of a process has never been a topic. I am totally committed to the club,” he said. That pretty much closes the door.
Now, Rosenior would be available without any sort of compensation fee, and he seems open to the idea. When asked about the Chelsea links, he kept it professional. “I’m going to talk about Nice because that’s my job,” he said, keeping his focus on Strasbourg’s next match. He’s aware of all the speculation swirling around but isn’t letting it distract him. “There’s a lot of noise, but as a coach, if you get involved in that, you fail. My job is here; I love this club. I haven’t even talked to the players about it—there’s no need. We’re just focused on our work and building something great here.”
He’s realistic, too. “In life, there are zero guarantees. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I’m just doing my job. There’s speculation, but I can’t guarantee how long I’ll be here. I enjoy myself here every day, and I want to keep doing that for as long as I can. I love this club, but nobody can promise anything.”
He finished up by saying, “I want to do my job here; it’s simple. Right now, I’m Strasbourg’s manager, and that’s where my focus is. We’re part of the same group, so of course there are conversations. I’m just being honest—you can never control everything in life. I could say I’ll be here for years and then get fired tomorrow.”
While the club weighs its options, Chelsea’s Under-21s coach, Calum McFarlane, will step in temporarily for their next Premier League game against Manchester City.
EXCLUSIVE: AJAX AND SCHALKE LAUNCH BIDS FOR OUT-OF-CONTRACT RANGERS MIDFIELDER BAILEY RICE NOW
Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice is a top target for Ajax and Schalke. Get the latest on his contract status and potential summer exit.
Ajax and Schalke are chasing Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, with both clubs working to seal a deal for the 19-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers just wrapped up a training camp in Spain, gearing up for a crucial five-game stretch to go for the league title after the split earlier this month. Their run-in starts with Motherwell at home on Sunday, then a massive trip to face league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle next weekend.
After that comes the season’s final Old Firm showdown against Celtic at Parkhead on May 10, before closing out with Hibernian and Falkirk, who are the lowest-ranked teams in the split, having finished fifth and sixth.
This summer looks set for big changes at Rangers, and Rice is right at the centre of it. Romano reported on X that both Ajax and Schalke want to sign Rice as a free agent. The young Scottish midfielder is out of contract this summer. Talks over a new deal with Rangers haven’t worked out, so he’s weighing up his next move. Schalke reportedly already made him a personal offer, and Premier League side Aston Villa had also been linked with him earlier this year.
Rice has barely featured for Rangers this season after suffering a serious training injury that needed surgery; he’s only played a handful of minutes.
As for the rest of the squad, Rangers look set for another overhaul. After a busy transfer window last summer and more signings in January, things don’t seem to be slowing down. Manager Rohl has made do with what he has, but the club’s owners, the 49ers, are ready to back a ‘major recruitment drive’ this summer. Their aim? Knock Celtic off the top and keep Hearts from breaking up the Old Firm grip on Scottish football.
Nobody knows just how many players could come in yet, but it’s clear the owners are serious about shaking things up at Ibrox.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
