Pep Guardiola has reportedly held secret talks over potentially becoming the Brazil manager in 2026.

Guardiola is approaching the final six months of his contract with Manchester City and has vowed to make a decision on his future imminently, with reports suggesting a one-year extension to run until the end of the 2025/26 season could be signed soon.

According to SPORT, Brazil’s plan for Guardiola would kick in in 2026 after the FA’s presidential elections. Current president Ednaldo Rodrigues will see his term end in March 2026 and former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo is believed to be readying a run for election.

Ronaldo, the current president of La Liga side Real Valladolid, is said to have privately announced his desire to lead Brazilian football and has alread reached out to Guardiola with a plan to hire the manager in 2026.

The pair were teammates at Barcelona and are believed to have remained close ever since, while Guardiola’s brother Pere, who is also involved in this secret plan, has worked with Ronaldo in the past.

As of yet, Guardiola has not given Ronaldo a firm response to the plan. The City boss is still thinking about his future at the Etihad Stadium but the chance to change scenery in 2026 is expected to appeal to Guardiola.

Several of Napoli local rivals are reportedly on the hot chase of Victor Osimhen, but now it has emerged why one of them, Juventus, cannot sign the red-hot striker.

It has widely been reported that Osimhen could leave Napoli permanently in the summer for a reduced asking price of around 75 Million Euros.

Juventus are shopping for another striker besides Dusan Vlahovic and Osimhen will be an ideal choice to with replace him in the event that he leaves or be his direct rival at the club.

Juve sports director Cristiano Giuntoli was involved in getting Osimhen to Napoli from Lille and enjoys a good entourage with the player’s entourage.

However, cash could be a stumbling block for Osimhen moving to Juve.

According to Il Bianconero, the Italian club do not have the cash to pay the transfer fee as well as the player’s high wages.

Without the high-profile sale of Vlahovic, Juve will not have the financial muscle to compete with other top European clubs who are now ready to pounce on the deadly Super Eagles striker.

Scorenigeria

Ruud van Nistelrooy, one of Manchester United’s most cherished figures, has reportedly been left devastated after being told he would not be part of new manager Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff.

The news, shared by Simon Mullock in The Mirror, highlights the emotional toll of a decision that has left the Dutchman re-evaluating his coaching future in England.

Having returned to Old Trafford in the summer as part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom team, Van Nistelrooy had hoped to secure a coaching position under Amorim’s regime. Yet, Amorim, who brought his trusted staff from Sporting Lisbon, opted to exclude Van Nistelrooy. This decision came despite the former United striker’s impressive stint as interim manager, during which he went unbeaten in four matches, including a draw with Chelsea and three wins.

Close friend and former colleague Andre Ooijer shed light on Van Nistelrooy’s feelings: “Ruud wanted to stay as assistant. He would have said something if he wasn’t interested in working with Amorim. Ruud has had the chance to be manager or head coach at other clubs, but he deliberately did not take those jobs because he wanted to work at the club he loves most.”

Fans had shown their appreciation for Van Nistelrooy during his brief managerial stint, a sentiment that further underscores the frustration many feel over this missed opportunity.

Van Nistelrooy’s coaching career had been on an upward trajectory, marked by success at PSV Eindhoven, where he secured Champions League qualification, the KNVB Cup, and the Johan Cruyff Shield. Rejecting an offer from Burnley in the summer to work alongside Ten Hag demonstrated his commitment to United. However, his departure has left the 48-year-old now focusing on securing a managerial position elsewhere in the Premier League.

Dutch football icon Wesley Sneijder believes Van Nistelrooy’s story at United is far from over, predicting a return to Old Trafford in the future: “If United are clever – and I am sure that this is what they are doing – they will get Ruud ready to take over in two or three years.”

Sneijder’s optimism is shared by Rafael van der Vaart, who emphasised Van Nistelrooy’s connection to the club and fans: “Ruud’s moment will come. The job really suits him. Ruud is the king at Old Trafford. Everyone loves him because he is a legend. He absolutely loves the club and the club loves him.”