Ins & Outs People on the move
Ronald Koeman’s overhaul of the Barcelona backroom staff began with the appointment of HENRIK LARSSON as assistant coach.
Lazio signed former Spain, Liverpool, Napoli and Aston Villa goalkeeper PEPE REINA on a free transfer from Milan.
Everton strengthened their midfield with the signings of ALLAN from Napoli, JAMES RODRIGUEZ from Real Madrid and Watford’s ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE.
Several players moved across Europe on loan deals, with ALESSANDRO FLORENZI joining PSG from Roma, Brescia’s SANDRO TONALI joining Milan, Schalke’s WESTON McKENNIE to Juventus, Manchester United’s TAHITH CHONG to Werder Bremen, Chelsea’s MICHY BATSHUAYI to Crystal Palace, Porto’s VITINHA to Wolves,
Brighton’s SHANE DUFFY to Celtic, and Fulham signing ALPHONSE AREOLA, MARIO LEMINA and OLA AINA from
PSG, Southampton and Torino respectively. Meanwhile, DANI
CEBALLOS returned for a second season at Arsenal.
There was also a flurry of free transfers with RYAN FRASER joining Newcastle United, MALANG SARR to Chelsea, CLAUDIO BRAVO to Real Betis and YUTO NAGATOMO to Marseille, while OLIVER BURKE and CALLUM ROBINSON swapped clubs to join Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion respectively.
ASIA
PATRICK KISNORBO was named as the new head coach of Melbourne City, while Melbourne Victory appointed GRANT BREBNER.
Australia midfielder AARON MOOY lefts Brighton and Hove Albion to sign for Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.
Iranian football saw a raft of managerial changes. Persian Gulf Pro League clubs Shahr Khodro appointed former Iran goalkeeper MEHDI RAHMATI, Esteghlal opted for MAJID NAMJOO-MOTLAGH as interim boss, and Sepahan appointed former player MOHARRAM NAVIDKIA.
EUROPE
GARETH BARRY, the Premier League appearances record holder with 653 games, retired from football.
Parma sacked head coach ROBERT D’AVERSA, who guided the club from Italy’s third tier to Serie A.
SOUTH AMERICA
DIEGO FORLAN, a former Penarol player, was sacked after just 11 games in charge of the Montevideo-based club.
AFRICA
JEAN-BAPTISTE MUGIRANEZA called time on his Rwanda career after a 14-year spell that saw him rack up 68 appearances and seven goals.
ASIA
Japan’s Asian Cup-winning defender ATSUTO UCHIDA and former Wigan Athletic and Oman goalkeeper ALI AL HABSI announced their retirement.
CSL club Tianjin TEDA replaced coach Uli Stielike with WANG BAOSHAN.
TONY POPOVIC activated a clause to quit as Perth Glory coach in pursuit of European managerial opportunities.