Ballon d'Or shortlist and a shock resignation

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s Euro Leagues podcast episode on 10 September 2026 centered on two main topics: the Ballon d’Or shortlist and a sudden managerial departure at Fenerbahce. The episode was presented by John Bennett with Julien Laurens, James Horncastle and Guillem Balague, and also touched on wider European football themes such as the growing influence of Spanish coaches and the strong form of clubs like Como.

According to the programme details, the panel discussed who might be the best candidate for the Ballon d’Or and explored why Spanish managers appear so prominent across the game. The conversation also examined the atmosphere around Real Madrid, even after a win over Inter, and included debate about whether using Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield was a mistake. These segments suggest the show was using current elite-club storylines to frame broader tactical and cultural trends in European football.

The notable breaking development in the episode was the resignation of Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal after his team drew with Roma. The article does not provide additional details about the timing or reasons behind his exit, but the inclusion of the news highlights how quickly managerial changes can follow disappointing results in major European ties. More generally, the podcast also reflected on the rise of Como into a Champions League-level side and the fortunes of Swedish champions Mjallby, placing the resignation within a wider discussion of shifting power and expectations in European football.