The soccer world this year has already started with a bang, with dozens of incredible moments, crazy stories, and dramatic twists unfolding. From the AFCON and the UCL to the sackings of three major managers, there’s so much to look back on from the first month of 2026.
The action began on the first day of the year when Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was fired after 18 months in charge. According to ESPN, Maresca was sacked due to a poor run of form in the Premier League, as he won just one of his last seven league games in charge, and for a disagreement with the club’s leadership. Maresca won both the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup during his tenure as manager. U-21s coach Calum McFarlane led the team in the next two games before Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior was appointed as Maresca’s replacement. He has gone on to win his first three Premier League games in charge and his first two in the Champions League.
Maresca’s leave would not be the only one this month, as on January 5, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was fired after only 14 months in charge due to poor results and a dispute with the club’s board, according to ESPN. “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United, and that is clear,” Amorim said in a press conference after a 1-1 draw with Leeds. “I will do my job, and every department, the scouting department, the sporting director, needs to do their job.” After winning just 15 of his 47 Premier League games in charge, Amorim was replaced by Darren Fletcher, United’s U-18s coach. He took charge of two games before former United player Michael Carrick was hired as interim manager until the end of the season. Carrick has gone on to beat city rivals Manchester City, league leaders Arsenal, and Fulham in his first three games in charge.
Amorim’s dismissal wouldn’t be the last, as Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was sacked one week later after just seven months in charge. Alonso was fired after a loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final due to poor results and deteriorating relationships with key players. With stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior present at the club, it was bound to be a difficult task for any manager. He lost the players’ respect and was replaced by Real Madrid Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Despite a loss to second-division side Albacete in his first game, Arbeloa has managed some decent results since his appointment.
The biggest win of the month occurred on January 18, as Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations final, securing a victory over the hosts in a thrilling game. After a tense 90 minutes, Senegal were denied a controversial goal in the third minute of stoppage time. The ref blew his whistle before the ball entered the net after Ismaila Sarr’s header for a foul on Achraf Hakimi. In the 98th minute, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty in another controversial decision after Malick Diouf fouled Brahim Diaz during a corner. The Senegalese national team left the pitch in protest as head coach Pape Thiaw ushered them into the locker rooms. After Sadio Mané finally got his teammates back on the pitch, AFCON top scorer Brahim Diaz saw his Panenka penalty saved by Édouard Mendy in the 24th minute of stoppage time. Senegal went on to win the final in extra time thanks to a goal by Pape Gueye, securing their second-ever AFCON title.
More action ensued on January 28 as all 18 UCL league phase matches took place simultaneously. The top eight teams would progress directly to the round of 16, while teams placed 9-24 would advance to the playoffs, and the rest would be eliminated. The craziest game of the night was surely Benfica vs Real Madrid. Benfica, managed by José Mourinho, were outside the top 24 on goal difference, one goal behind Marseille, going into stoppage time. Knowing his team needed a goal, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin came up for a 98th-minute free kick. As the ball was played into the box, he leaped up and headed it into the back of the net, securing a UCL playoff spot for Benfica.
January gave us some ridiculous moments and incredible matches, and there is still so much more to look forward to in the coming months, including UCL knockouts soon. Hopefully, they don’t disappoint!
