FC Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick as new manager

Hansi Flick has been confirmed as the new coach of Barcelona, after the sacking of Xavi Hernández. The former Bayern Munich manager joins on a two-year deal, worth about €3.5m a year plus incentives. The 59-year-old had been out of work since his sacking as Germany’s coach in September last year. Barcelona described Flick as a manager “known for his intense, ambitious high press” and cited a “wide experience at club and international level, in which he has won practically every title that can be won in world football”.

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Tottenham agree new loan deal for Timo Werner

Tottenham have agreed a deal to extend Timo Werner’s spell from RB Leipzig until the end of next season. The Germany forward made 14 appearances in all competitions and scored twice for Spurs after joining them on a temporary basis from the Bundesliga side in January. Under that arrangement Tottenham had the option to sign the 28-year-old permanently for £15m this summer, however, the new agreement will contain an £8.5m option to buy.

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Unai Emery pens new five-year deal at Aston Villa

Unai Emery has signed a five-year contract with Aston Villa until 2029 in a major boost for the club as they prepare for their first season in the Champions League. Villa made it their top priority to secure Emery with a new long‑term deal this summer after an excellent Premier League campaign. Villa finished fourth in the league, which meant qualifying for Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 1982-83.

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Merlier claims stage 21 sprint as Pogačar wins Giro d’Italia

Tim Merlier claimed his third sprint victory on Stage 21 as Tadej Pogacar completed the first half of his Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double attempt. After suffering a late mechanical, Jonathan Milan was dragged back into the finale by his Lidl-Trek colleagues – but the Italian had spent too much energy to rival Merlier in the showdown. It means Merlier & Milan leave Italy with three wins apiece.

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Southampton see off Leeds to win promotion to Premier League

Southampton beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and the £140m to go with it. Saints’ 11-year spell in the top flight came to an end after a wretched campaign last time out but, despite finishing one place and three points behind Leeds in fourth, it is they who join Leicester and Ipswich in going up thanks to a first half strike from Adam Armstrong.

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