Thank you for keeping us company today while we brought you the latest football news.

If you'd like a recap, click on the links in the summary points for the biggest news stories, or read more:

• Carsley named interim England manager
• Chelsea agree £54m deal for Wolves winger Neto
• Alvarez wants 'new challenge' - Guardiola

Spain take on hosts France in the men's gold medal match at 17:00 BST at the Olympic Games, get all the latest updates here

Also, the EFL season kicks off tonight, follow live text updates of the opening night from 19:45 BST here

Take care!

Emma Sanders
Senior Women's Football Reporter

Manchester United Sporting Director Dan Ashworth spent the morning with the women’s players and staff before training at St. George's Park today.

He watched their session, listened in on the morning briefing and then delivered a talk to all members of the squad. In his speech, he re-emphasised his commitment to women’s football.

He referenced his work at previous clubs Brighton and Newcastle which included the creation of a purpose-built training ground at the Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing, and overseeing Newcastle Women’s transition to a full-time model.

Ashworth also spoke about his time working within the FA - where he was director of elite development - and how he saw first-hand the success of women’s football in the country.

Amid a summer of uncertainty and restlessness at the club following their decision to move the women out of their training facility to make way for the men’s first team, this was a well-received gesture by Ashworth, with players and staff said to be encouraged by his words.

The departures of England goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Katie Zelem and Spain duo Irene Guerrero and Lucia Garcia caused anxiety but United have responded by signing four players this summer.

They are set to announce the signing of Canada midfielder Simi Awujo, while talks with Leicester goalkeeper Lize Kop continue.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester City's season may not finish until 13 July, which is the date for the final of the Club World Cup in the United States.

That's 48 weeks - and no more than five before the 2025-26 Premier League campaign begins.

It is a punishing schedule - and that is without factoring an expanded 36-team Champions League.

Little wonder Pep Guardiola has decided the best way to deal with it is not to look at the calendar.

Basically, once we get past the September international break, City will be playing every midweek.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has retired from international football.

The 31-year-old midfielder won 63 caps for Scotland and was part of Steve Clarke's squad at Euro 2024.

McGregor revealed he had spoken to Clarke this week and, while the national head coach is "disappointed" with the player's decision, he "can understand the rationale".

He told Celtic's website it was a "very difficult" decision but one "I feel is the right one at the right time".

Read the full story here.

Image source, Getty Images

There are a fair few rumours swirling around Liverpool in this transfer window.

Sky Germany, external are reporting that the club have rejected several offers 22-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg. Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen have all registered their interest.

Meanwhile, Liverpool target and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 25, is also being spoken to be Real Sociedad - according to The Times, external.

And French defender Billy Koumetio, 21, is close to signing for the Reds from Dundee, as reported by the Athletic, external.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Blackburn's preparations ahead of their Championship opener with Derby tonight could have been smoother.

Talks between Rovers and Ipswich for star striker Sammie Szmodics have rumbled on for six weeks and have disrupted boss John Eustace's plans, with the Tractor Boys having several bids rejected.

While discussions continue for last season's 27-goal Championship top scorer Ipswich have not been prepared to pay an inflated fee while Blackburn have been frustrated at the length of time negotiations are taking.

The Ireland international, contracted to Ewood Park until 2026, wants the Premier League move having publicly said he was eager to test himself in the top flight earlier this year.

There is no agreement yet but the length of time and effort invested into the transfer - from both sides - still suggests there is a deal to be done.

Szmodics is training with the Rovers squad and could still be involved at Ewood tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

And to recap that earlier story, Chelsea have agreed a deal worth 63m euros (£54m) for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto.

The Portugal winger is now scheduled to have a medical before finalising a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea finally struck a deal with Wolves - an initial 60m euro fee with 3m euros in add-ons - after having two bids rejected.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move from Molineux for the past 12 months.

He has made 135 appearances and scored 14 goals since joining from Lazio in 2019.

Get more on this developing story here.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona have signed Spain playmaker Dani Olmo from German side RB Leipzig.

The 26-year-old returns to Barcelona in a deal worth a reported 60m euros (£51m), external after playing for the Spanish club at youth level before joining Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in 2014.

Olmo has signed a six-year contract with Barcelona and has a release clause of 500m euros (£429m).

He was joint top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals as he helped Spain win the tournament for a record fourth time.

Click here to read more.

Anon

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

Fulham have had a bid rejected for Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos.

Fulham are looking at a number of options to strengthen their centre back options after Tosin Adarabioyo left for Chelsea on a free transfer and Tim Ream joined Charlotte FC.

The Cottagers completed the signing of Jorge Cuenca earlier this week from Villarreal.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur are taking over Bayern Munich at home in a pre-season friendly tomorrow and manager Ange Postecoglou has given fans an update on the team news.

He told Spursplay that while Destiny Udogie is set to feature, Richarlison is not likely to make an appearance.

"They're both progressing well," said Postecoglou. "Destiny will get some game time tomorrow.

"Richy's only had a week of training so he probably won't get game time but he's had a good week of training so that's the important thing. Everyone else is healthy and ready to go."

Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo Bentancur and Micky van de Ven were all not a part of other pre-season games because of their participation in major tournaments this summer but are set to feature tomorrow.

Postecoglou said: "From our perspective, we made sure they all had a decent break as they all had pretty big tournaments - particularly the South Americans.

"It's really good to get them back in the building as they add to the quality and intensity of our training, it's good to have them back."

Jim, London

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma believes Ange Postecoglou to be "one of the best coaches in the world" and credits him with taking his game to the next level.

The 27-year-old said he is playing his best football under Postecoglou, who enters his second season at Spurs after narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification by finishing fifth last season.

When asked about the Australian's impact on the squad, Bissouma told BBC Sport: "He is one of the best coaches in the world. As a coach, he is top and as a human he is unbelievable. He is like a dad for us.

"We are working hard for him and really enjoy spending our time with him. We are working again and going again and we'll see [where it takes us]."

Bissouma added: "I am playing my best football with him and he has given me the opportunity to do that.

"He has given me confidence and happiness - it is amazing for me and I am really happy playing for him. But there is also more to come."

Brentford

Brentford are set to take on Wolfsburg at the Gtech Community Stadium tonight in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League campaign gets underway.

Brentford have only lost one game (against Estrela da Amadora) out of four friendlies so far with a win coming against AFC Wimbledon and draws with Benfica and Watford.

Today's game will be their last before the top-flight begins with Brentford's first match against Crystal Palace on 18 August.

Tim

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says he is "very comfortable" with having qualification for European competition as Newcastle's target this season.

Speaking to the media ahead of the games against Genoa and Stade Brestois in the Sela Cup, he said: "We have to have high expectations of ourselves and we have to push ourselves internally.

"I think it's slightly different when you're in my position, because yes, you can have your targets, but nothing's going to be given to you. You have to earn the right to get to that point. And we have a very difficult Premier League season ahead because the competition is so high. We have to improve from last year.

"We've been working hard in pre-season to improve certain aspects of our play. Hopefully that shows by the time we kick off and we can build consistency and confidence in our game early.

"When I look at the squad, with the majority of the players fit, we look really strong. It is a very competitive squad.

"We have a couple of players to get back into the group. Callum Wilson and Matt Targett are the closest and they will make a massive difference. Obviously, there are then the longer term ones behind them."

Newcastle United

Newcastle are set to play Girona at St James' Park this evening in their penultimate pre-season friendly.

So far in the pre-season Eddie Howe's team have only registered one win from four games - coming in a 4-1 win against the Urawa Red Diamonds.

The Premier League team will be looking to gather some winning momentum with the top-flight returning on 16 August.

Newcastle will also play Stade Brestois at St James' Park tomorrow.

Lee Carsley has been appointed as the interim England boss but what do you think?

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England

New England interim boss Lee Carsley's career began as a player.

He enjoyed a 17-year career as a midfielder, scoring 33 goals in 478 appearances with clubs including Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Everton.

He also earned 40 international caps with Republic of Ireland.

Carsley retired from playing in 2011 and moved into coaching. His first appointment was as caretaker manager for Coventry City.

He has also held coaching and managerial roles at Brentford, Birmingham City and with England's Under-20s and Under-21s.

Carsley led England to the Under-21s European Championship title in 2023.

Image source, Getty Images

England's new interim manager Lee Carsley reportedly turned down the opportunity to take charge of the Republic of Ireland in March.

Carsley, who has 40 caps for Republic of Ireland, said: "I went to speak to them. Really informal, enjoyable, for around an hour. It went no further."

The Republic of Ireland eventually appointed Heimir Hallgrímsson as their new manager in July.

Now, in a twist of fate, Carsley's first game as interim manager of England will be away to the Republic of Ireland in September.

It is a reversal of the Republic of Ireland's appointment of England World Cup winner Jack Charlton, who famously led the country to victory over the Three Lions at the European Championship in 1988.