Zidane’s Return and the MLS Power Shift: Weekly Roundup
Welcome to your weekly football briefing for Tuesday, March 24, 2026. As we head into the final stretch of the 2025/26 season, the landscape of global football is shifting beneath our feet. From seismic coaching changes in Europe to a complete reshuffle of power in North America, this week has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Whether you are tracking the tactical chess match in LaLiga or the star-studded recruitment drive in MLS, there is plenty to unpack. Let’s dive into the trends defining the beautiful game right now.
The MLS Power Shift and the Griezmann Factor
The big story stateside this week is the total shakeup of the MLS Power Rankings. For weeks, LAFC has looked like an impenetrable fortress, remarkably maintaining a clean sheet record throughout league play in 2026. However, defensive stability doesn’t always equal dominance in the standings. ESPN’s latest rankings have seen Nashville SC displace the Los Angeles giants, while the Vancouver Whitecaps are making a serious charge for the No. 1 spot. This shift suggests that the league is prioritizing clinical efficiency over pure defensive resilience as we move deeper into the spring.
But the headlines in the U.S. aren’t just about the current table; they’re about the future. Sources have confirmed that French legend Antoine Griezmann is set to ink a two-year deal with Orlando City SC, including an option for a third year. Griezmann’s move to Florida signals that the MLS ‘arms race’ isn’t slowing down. Adding a World Cup winner of his caliber mid-season could completely disrupt the current hierarchy. Meanwhile, USMNT captain Tim Ream has been vocal about the growth of young striker Patrick Agyemang. Ream noted that Agyemang’s move to Derby County has been the catalyst for the 25-year-old to finally ‘grow up’ and realize his potential, providing a much-needed boost to the national team’s attacking depth.
European Giants: Zidane’s Return and Sevilla’s Crisis
Across the Atlantic, the biggest news in international football has finally broken: Zinedine Zidane has verbally agreed to become the next head coach of the France national team. Zidane is expected to succeed Didier Deschamps this summer, a move that fans have been clamoring for since the last World Cup cycle. This transition marks the end of an era for Les Bleus and the beginning of what many hope will be a second ‘Zizou’ golden age. However, not all French stars are having a smooth week. Kylian Mbappé has hit back at ‘false’ reports regarding his knee injury at Real Madrid, claiming that his restricted minutes are being misrepresented by the media. The tension between the world’s best player and the press continues to simmer at a crucial point in the season.
In Spain, the situation is far more dire for Sevilla. The club has officially fired Argentine coach Matías Almeyda following another disappointing weekend that left the team just three points clear of the relegation zone. Sevilla’s fall from grace has been one of the most shocking trends of the 2025/26 campaign, and the hunt for a ‘firefighter’ manager to save them from the drop is now officially on. In Italy, Gennaro Gattuso is dealing with his own set of headaches. The Azzurri boss expressed deep concern over Federico Chiesa’s mental and physical state, stating it was ‘useless’ for the winger to stay with the squad given his current nerves. It’s a worrying sign for Italy as they look toward upcoming international fixtures.
Trends and Analysis: Who is Rising and Who is Falling?
Looking at the broader picture, we are seeing a clear trend of ‘out with the old, in with the new.’ The firing of Almeyda and the impending arrival of Zidane suggest that clubs and national federations are no longer willing to wait for results. In terms of momentum, Nashville SC and Vancouver are the clear winners of the week, proving that consistency in the final third is currently outweighing the defensive ‘bus-parking’ seen by teams like LAFC.
On the flip side, the ‘down’ trend is firmly centered on Sevilla and the fitness concerns surrounding major stars like Chiesa and Mbappé. When even the biggest names in the sport start feeling the pressure of the media and the physical toll of the calendar, it suggests we may see some surprise results in the coming weeks as depth squads are tested to their limits.
What to Watch Next Week
As we move into the final days of March, keep a close eye on the Sevilla managerial search—whoever takes that job is walking into a literal furnace. We will also be watching for the official paperwork on the Griezmann-to-Orlando deal, which could trigger more movement in the MLS secondary transfer window. Finally, keep tabs on the French camp; now that the Zidane news is out, the dynamic between Deschamps and his players for the remaining spring fixtures will be fascinating to observe. Will they play for the current boss, or are their minds already on the Zizou revolution?
