Major coaching changes have swept across multiple sports leagues, with several high-profile dismissals and appointments announced in recent days. In France, Stéphane Gilli was dismissed as Paris FC manager on 22 February 2026, according to multiple reports. He was replaced by Antoine Kombouaré, who arrived the next day. The players were informed of Gilli's departure in the dressing room after a 1-1 draw against Toulouse on Saturday. Paris FC praised Kombouaré's 'journey and solid experience in Ligue 1' when announcing his appointment, according to the club. Kombouaré has a reputation as a firefighter, having performed that role at Nantes in recent seasons, multiple reports indicate. Paris FC signed striker Ciro Immobile (age 36) in January, who had yet to score after four appearances, according to multiple reports. Gilli had felt like a lame duck since the Arnault family took over the club midway through last season, multiple reports indicate. Gilli earned promotion to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking by finishing second in Ligue 2. However, Paris FC were in the top half of the table in mid-October but dropped to 15th after winning only one of their last 11 games, according to multiple reports.
Gilli is a French professional football manager and former player who played as a defender, according to research. He worked as a physical therapist after a bad injury, with CS Sfaxien, Nîmes and Fulham. Gilli was the long-term assistant manager to Mehmed Baždarević for 17 years. He managed Bosnia and Herzegovina for a game against Gibraltar in March 2017 after Baždarević was suspended. Gilli was terminated from Bosnia and Herzegovina after knocking out the tooth of Greek player Giannis Gianniotas during a brawl after a 0-0 draw with Greece on 9 June 2017, according to research. He was appointed interim manager of Paris FC on 30 December 2019 after Baždarević was sacked. Gilli was assistant manager for Vahid Halilhodžić with the Morocco national team from 2020 to 2022. He was formally appointed manager of Paris FC on 3 June 2023. Paris FC returned to Ligue 1 after 46 years under Gilli, according to research.
Dean Young told Michael Ennis he was sacked as part of a circuit breaker.
In North America, CF Montréal fired head coach Marco Donadel after a poor start to the season, according to multiple reports. The club declined to make Donadel or other staff available to media after a loss, multiple reports said. CF Montréal have had 11 coaches since 2012, none lasting 95 games, according to multiple reports. The team's payroll in 2025 was the league's lowest at $12 million, multiple reports indicate. The specific poor results that led to Donadel's firing have not been disclosed.
In Australia, St George Illawarra Dragons terminated coach Shane Flanagan's contract after an 11-game losing streak, according to multiple reports. Flanagan's exit was publicly framed as a 'mutual agreement', club officials said. General Manager of Football Ben Haran also departed the Dragons, according to multiple reports. Dean Young and Michael Ennis were leading candidates for interim coach, but Ennis was later sacked, multiple reports indicate. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Dean Young described telling Michael Ennis he was sacked as part of a circuit breaker. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Michael Ennis described being blindsided by his termination. Ben Hornby and Brad Arthur are contenders for the permanent Dragons head coach role, according to multiple reports. The specific reasons for Ennis's sacking have not been confirmed.
Ennis was blindsided by his termination.
Other coaching changes include Amiens SC firing coach Omar Daf with the team 16th in Ligue 2, according to multiple reports. FC Nantes fired coach Ahmed Kantari due to poor results and a toxic atmosphere, according to multiple reports. Vahid Halilhodzic is expected to replace Kantari at Nantes, multiple reports indicate. Fortuna Duesseldorf fired coach Markus Anfang and hired Alexander Ende, according to multiple reports. Anfang's surname means 'beginning' and Ende's means 'end' in German, multiple reports noted. According to Le Singulier (Sète), Paris FC coach described criticizing Moses Simon for lack of efficiency and consistency.
In Spain, Xabi Alonso left Bayer Leverkusen to become Real Madrid head coach in summer 2025, according to multiple reports. According to Fotbolltransfers, Luis Figo described that Alonso did not get enough time at Real Madrid. The exact timeline of Alonso's tenure at Real Madrid (start and end dates) has not been specified.
Alonso did not get enough time at Real Madrid.
In the United States, FSG sacked Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and five coaches after a 10-17 start, according to multiple reports. Chad Tracy will succeed Cora on an interim basis, multiple reports said.
Paris FC coach criticized Moses Simon for lack of efficiency and consistency.
Paris FC praised Kombouaré's 'journey and solid experience in Ligue 1' when announcing his appointment.