Cup finals. League titles. Some have already been won, some at the time of writing are still up for grabs. New managers and nearly new managers, the moving around has begun somewhat early. Another hugely important weekend in the books and Celtic win it again. Issue 99. Go.

A Premier League title could be won in just a few hours, the race could go to the final day. Pep Guardiola could be leaving Manchester City, it is unlikely that he will stay.

The champions elect getting the better of Burnley on Monday, the challengers having to beat Bournemouth in just a couple of hours in order to keep their faint hopes of a domestic treble alive.

The treble is a possibility, the cup double in the history books after their narrow win over Chelsea on Saturday. This year’s FA Cup final was never going to be one for the ages, events in Scotland earlier that same day taking centre stage over the road to Wembley.

No point waxing lyrical about the final day because City’s trip to the Vitality Stadium could prove to be a banana skin and make any analysis redundant.

No point waxing lyrical about Pep Guardiola’s impending departure, I would rather wait for it to be official and the discussion regarding his replacement can begin.

Which leaves us with plenty to look at in terms of what has happened and on the topic of replacements, Enzo Maresca’s has been named at Stamford Bridge and I’ll be honest, it has taken me and many others by surprise.

Of course, there is also the small matter of Chelsea playing host to Tottenham this same Tuesday evening and with the battle to avoid relegation neatly poised, I don’t want to dive too deep into that either.

Tottenham need a point thanks to the far superior goal difference, earn that at Stamford Bridge and Spurs do not have to sweat before Sunday. Of course, making life easier for themselves has not been the Spurs way this season has it.

I could also talk at length about Spy Gate between Southampton and Middlesbrough and although the hearing has begun (Tuesday), the ruling and more importantly, the punishment is not being dished out until tomorrow.

So that’s a quickfire summary of trying to reach the high notes without singing the whole hymn sheet. Get these early midweek fixtures out of the way and I can see how the dust has settled at the end of the week.

The fact that Friday’s issue is number 100 and timed just before the final day of the campaign is mere coincidence I promise. Let’s hope there is plenty to talk about. Before that, let’s make a good fist of Issue 99 shall we.

Chelsea lose the FA Cup, just a couple of hours later Xabi Alonso is named as their new manager. The ideal way to kill off any disappointment that may have been suffered after losing 1-0 to Manchester City, another new era is soon to begin.

A new era that many observers would not have predicted would be led by the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager, because it seemed as if Alonso’s next destination was marked for Merseyside.

One in the eye for Liverpool fans who now have to do continue with Arne Slot until the start of next season. A huge morale boost for a Chelsea fanbase who have made no secret of their displeasure with the club’s higher ups.

Why Chelsea for Alonso? The simple reason that the Stamford Bridge outfit have got their first. Better to consider an offer that actually comes your way rather than waiting for the phone to call.

An offer that sees the former Spain international being given far more say in transfers in the BlueCo era than any of his predecessors and that may be the most important component of his hiring.

Only because this player trading model that is currently under operation is not effective enough when it comes to winning league titles or even qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The buy now, profit later was meant to revolutionise football recruitment but all it has managed to do is stockpile a group of players that could be quite good in the future, by and large Chelsea need the now.

Which is precisely what the new manager at Stamford Bridge will look to do. Identify four or five targets that he feels will improve the first team and add add more experience throughout.

You only need to see in terms of Chelsea’s league position how they have almost stood still and in doing that, their counterparts have overtaken them and although the club has been known to operate in boom and bust cycles in the past, there needs to be a lot more of the latter going forward.

Going forward is arguably the biggest issue of all and with Liam Delap the next name to seemingly enter the graveyard of number 9’s in West London, a player who can score 20 goals a season must be top of Xabi Alonso’s shopping list.

A shopping list that does not need to be too long because there is still a lot to work with already. That said, there is still a lot of work to be done and with the finances looking rather precarious at Stamford Bridge, that work needs to be done rather quickly.

All they had to do was pick up a point at Celtic Park and Hearts would be crowned champions. Unfortunately for Derek McInnes’ men will all know how events unfolded in Glasgow.

Celtic champions once again, Martin O’Neill’s two interim stints finally getting the Hoops over the line but not without controversy it must be said.

Controversy in the build up to the game after Celtic’s late win at Motherwell just three days before. Controversy with the game ending roughly a minute before the nine added on due to a pitch invasion.

The pitch invasion not the biggest issue it must be said, the drama that came with Celtic’s comeback 3-1 win was always going to generate of excitement throughout a fanbase of 60,000 strong.

The issue was the behaviour of the small minority of those running on the pitch after Callum Osmand walked the ball into an empty net to make sure Celtic captured their 56th Scottish league title.

Getting in the face of Hearts player lacked any real class. No need for that with such high stakes involved.

Not only that but the cutting short of the game meant that those same Hearts players did not get the opportunity to show their thanks to the 750 fans that been permitted to support them at Celtic Park.

The very least that they deserved after such an exhausting season and one that promised so much only to see them fall at the very last hurdle. Cruel in a sense but that is football for you.

Hearts will feel aggrieved at not being given the opportunity to play the game to its conclusion but even the most ardent of their support would be kidding themselves if they could get the game back to 3-3.

Scottish football’s Leicester moment up in smoke, the debate as to whether this could have been a one in a generation season (or even two when you consider Celtic’s and Rangers’ continual Premiership dominance) or is this going to be the new norm.

On the one hand you get the feeling that the Glasgow duopoly will never be so collective below par in a single season. The stars never have the opportunity to almost align as they did for the 2025/26 campaign.

On the other hand, this is a Hearts club that has Tony Bloom as part of its ownership. His Jamestown Analytics operation arguably already ahead of the curve when it comes to progress, there is no reason why they cannot be even stronger.

They could be stronger but that weight of disappointment could crush the Hearts squad at the same time. Can they pick themselves up and go again? The 2026/27 season will have all the answers.

The TNT Sports goodwill factory has obviously downed tools after the announcement that they will not be showing any of the three UEFA finals on a free to air basis - a move that actually goes against the contractual obligations.

Because although UK customers have to pay a monthly subscription to watch the Champions League and its younger brothers unfold across the course of a season, the finals were made free in previous season.

A move that is no more now that TNT Sports have decided to pick their ball up and go home (or at least not invite anyone else round to watch the matches). A move that understandably has been far from popular across social media circles.

The broadcaster has given no official reason for this decision but at a guess, the fact they are losing the rights to all three competitions from the 2027/28 season has obviously put their noses out of joint.

Pulling the drawbridge up well and truly. The FA Cup already ruined because of so much of it being on the channel (I understand the business merits of it all but the commentary of Darren ‘Fletch’ Fletcher really annoys me), the Champions League long since the same.

At the same time, the fact that that TNT have made this decision is not necessarily going to deter any football fan from watching any of these three games. Instead, it will only lead to more people loading up their firesticks.

No additional subscriptions for TNT over the next week or so, it just feels like a massive own goal. The sooner both the Champions League and other major rights leave the platform the better in mine and many others opinions.

Aston Villa book their place in the Champions League after their win over Liverpool on Friday. An outcome that takes the pressure off their Europa League final with Freiburg on Wednesday but at the same time, could also close off a sixth entry into the competition - bad news for the South Coast ‘B’ clubs.

As for Liverpool, Mo Salah is saying he wants to play heavy metal football again. In other words he still wants to be playing under Jurgen Klopp. He will only be playing under Arne Slot for a few more days. Then again, if I was the Dutchman I would seriously consider leaving him out of Sunday’s clash with Brentford.

Manchester United made sure of a third-place finish in the Premier League after their 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Michael Carrick edging even closer to getting the job on a permanent basis. Bruno Fernandes getting his 20th and record equalling assist of the season.

As for Nottingham Forest, they received a call from the PGMO (where’s the L?) to apologise for Darren England’s incorrect handball decision. The fact that Bryan Mbeumo somehow wedged the ball between his arse and his hand was deemed to be accidental. I thought all handball even accidental in the lead up to the goal was enough to get it scrubbed? Turns out, obviously not.

Wolves and Fulham share the points. Wolves had the better of the chances. Fulham will surely consider that as two points dropped. Will Marco Silva stay as manager, the silence at present could be deafening.

Brentford earned a point at home to Crystal Palace but could have done with two to help themselves get over the Europa League line. Now they will have as many as five teams nipping at their heels on the final day.

As for Palace, a first goal for Adam Wharton as an Eagle, turns out he does a pretty good cartwheel. He'll be doing even more if he can help lead his team to Conference League success against Rayo Vallecano next Wednesday.

Not the send off that Seamus Coleman would have wanted after calling time on his 17-year stint at Everton. Then again, after a 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland, you cannot blame supporters for not hanging around at the Hill Dickinson.

As for Sunderland, that comeback win keeps their European hopes alive and with them playing Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, it could serve to be a Conference League eliminator on Sunday.

If Leeds had three or four more league matches left to play, even they could make a late bid for Europe. As things stand, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be doing his best to make a late bid for England’s World Cup squad.

His late goal getting the better of Brighton who will be kicking themselves after failing to get at least a point at Elland Road. Even more frustration after Jan Paul van Hecke’s weak backpass. He wants to move to a Champions League club next season, that act could stop the Seagulls getting into the competition themselves.

Newcastle make it seven points from nine after a relatively comfortable win over West Ham. I say relatively because they were certainly nervy once the Hammers had got it back to 3-1. I think any Magpies fans would have looked at the points dropped record and feared the worst. Luckily Eddie Howe’s men managed to ward off any genuine threat.

As for West Ham, why did Nuno Espirito Santo opt for five at the back at St James’ Park. A roll of the dice that spectacularly backfired in the first 25 minutes of the game and although they looked better after the tactical switch, the damage was already done.

The Gunners deserved winners but at the same time, Kai Havertz deserved to get a red card. 1-0 to Arsenal is what they used to sing on the North Bank terraces. It looks like that is going to lead them to their first Premier League title since 2004.

Burnley versus Wolves on the final day. Winner avoids the wooden spoon!

Right, that’s the end of issue 99 as word continues to spread around the football world.

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Issue 100 drops Friday, I’ll be back with another round of insight, analysis and trends that matter. Any feedback or comments on this issue, contact me below:

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