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MADRID — Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he does not fear LaLiga leaders Barcelona but has the utmost respect for Hansi Flick's side, who they host on Saturday.

Barca lead the standings three points ahead of their rivals. While Ancelotti praised Barca's recent form, he highlighted the fact that Real are the defending champions and will not be intimidated.

"Fortunately, at the moment nobody keeps me awake at night," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

José Mourinho cheekily said he is looking to add a fourth Premier League medal to his glittering cabinet if Manchester City are stripped of their titles and rivals Manchester United are awarded the Premier League trophy for the 2017-18 season.

Mourinho, who won three titles with Chelsea, guided United to a second-place finish behind City in that campaign, 19 points behind Pep Guardiola's record-breaking side.

Former United States men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has spoken publicly about losing the national team job for the first time since his firing on July 10. In an interview with ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, Berhalter said the disappointment hasn’t fully gone away.

Former United States men’s national team players Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas have called out star forward Christian Pulisic for not being present during Tuesday’s friendly vs. Mexico to get extra rest.

The former players turned pundits were upset with Pulisic missing the game due to “load management.” New USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino sent the AC Milan star back to Italy after Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win vs. Panama 

Pochettino has stressed the importance of not overworking key players to avoid picking up injuries.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to return to football after having his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months and said he dreams of playing at the 2026 World Cup with France.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the 31-year-old's ban earlier this month after he was provisionally suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 following a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels.

LONDON — England head coach Thomas Tuchel strode confidently in to Wembley Stadium on Wednesday with a single-minded vision to win the 2026 World Cup for the success-starved soccer nation.

A whirlwind week has seen the 51-year-old German sign an 18-month contract to lead England to the tournament being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Thomas Tuchel. Our #ThreeLions head coach from 2025.

New United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is overseeing his first training camp with the players as the squad prepares for two October friendlies. Veteran defender Tim Ream says that Pochettino’s sessions are another level of demanding.

Ream appeared on the ”Player / Manager” podcast and shared what the first few days have been like working under Pochettino.

Tim Ream Pochettino comments

“It’s INTENSE…the longest training session in my 14 years.”