Seven big managerial changes this summer. Andrea Pirlo just added to the list — Italy appointed him Friday after Guardiola and Ancelotti both said no. Plus Jürgen Klopp at Germany, Zinedine Zidane at France, José Mourinho back at Real Madrid, Rúben Amorim at AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri at Napoli, Enzo Maresca at Man City. Half of them national team jobs. All three of Europe's biggest football nations — Germany, France, Italy — have new coaches going into September.

Transfer window is chaos. Real Madrid signed Bernardo Silva on a free — hijacked from Barcelona — plus Konaté free from Liverpool, Cucurella €55M from Chelsea, Dumfries €20M from Inter. Mourinho building defensively. Bayern spent €110M on Nathaniel Brown (€55M from Frankfurt) and Ismael Saibari (€55M from PSV). Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon for €80M from Newcastle - and Karim Adeyemi for €29M from Dortmund. The Adeyemi transfer has Germany asking why: inconsistent Bundesliga output, disciplinary problems, missed CL final chances. Barcelona's bet: Hansi Flick can revive him.

Tottenham spent €267M after finishing 17th — Tonali at €100M leads the panic buying. Newcastle are being pillaged. Bayern strengthens, Bundesliga weakens. Same story as always.

Still in play: Julián Álvarez to Barcelona (Arsenal also bidding), Michael Olise to Real Madrid, Rodri chase, Bruno Fernandes to Galatasaray.

NBA: LeBron signed with Philadelphia. Two-year, $8M deal — 90% pay cut from his $53M last season. Sixers starting five: Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron, Embiid. Most stacked team he's ever joined.

Charles Barkley on Stephen A. Smith: "The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, 'Yo, man, you always stacking your team.'" Coach's-eye on whether Barkley is right — LeBron's teams: Miami (Wade+Bosh+Allen+Battier), Cleveland (Irving+Love), LA (AD+Doncic+Reaves), now Philly with four All-Stars. Is he strategic or is he not a builder? Both, and neither.

Next episode: season preview. Premier League Aug 15. Bundesliga Aug 21.