Pep Guardiola said he turned down the chance to revamp his Manchester City squad in the summer and admitted it was the wrong decision after watching injuries play a significant role in their disappointing start to the season.

City are set to bring in fresh faces during the January window with a fee already agreed for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and ongoing interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.

It's a response to the injuries which have hit the squad since the beginning of the campaign. And Guardiola said that he should have sanctioned more incomings during the summer after only signing Savinho and the returning Ilkay Gündogan.

"I always said in the summer time -- the club thought about doing it -- and I said: 'No, I don't want to make any signings,'" Guardiola said.

"I rely on the team and I want to stay with them. Just Savio came, Gundo back -- I wasn't expecting that at the end -- but he came back and just Savio came.

"And I said, because I rely a lot with these guys and I thought still I can do it again, do it again with those guys and do it. But after the injuries, wow, maybe we should have done it."

Guardiola is preparing his team to face Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday. He's likely to be without captain Kyle Walker after he told the club he wants to explore the possibility of a move abroad in January.

AC Milan are interested in the 34-year-old England defender who has 18 months left on his contract at the Etihad.

Guardiola is also fighting to keep James McAtee at the club following interest from Germany.

"Kyle is our player right now, so that's all," Guardiola said. "What's going to happen, I don't know. I would love to say categorically yes [McAtee will stay] but I don't know. I would love him to stay here.

"I was the one to say, I want Macca here. He didn't play much minutes so far, but I was the one who said I want James here with us."

Colombia international James Rodríguez has signed with Liga MX's León, the Mexican club announced on Monday.

Recently a free agent after terminating his contract with Rayo Vallecano -- who initially signed James in August -- the 33-year-old will now join a León side that kicks off their 2025 Clausura run on Jan. 18.

"Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Club Leon of Mexico have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez," the Spanish club said in a statement.

They did not give any details of the deal.

"From the club, we wish James the best of luck in his new stage," the club added.

Eight-times Mexican champions León posted several images of Rodriguez on their social media accounts, but also did not give any details of the deal.

In June, León will then take part in the Club World Cup, beginning with group stage matches against Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis, and Flamengo.

The Colombian's move to Mexico marks his sixth team since 2021 after playing for Rayo Vallecano, São Paulo, Olympiacos, Al-Rayyan, and Everton in recent years.

Earlier in his career, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup was noted for high-profile runs through the likes of European giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The midfielder has also played for Envigado, Banfield, Porto, and Monaco.

With Colombia, Rodriguez has amassed 29 goals across 112 caps, including a successful run at last summer's Copa América where his team lost to Argentina in the final.

On Sunday, León also made headlines when former Mexican international Andrés Guardado hinted at a return from retirement after stating "I'm back" on social media.

Lyon's American owner John Textor was highly critical of Nasser Al Khelaifi, the Paris Saint-Germain president, and Vincent Labrune, the head of Ligue 1, in an interview for French radio RMC on Monday.

Amongst other barbs about Al Khelaifi's position, Textor called Labrune PSG's "lapdog" to highlight the relationship between Labrune and Al Khelaifi, who is also in charge of the BeIn Sport media group.

Textor, who is also the majority shareholder of Crystal Palace, Botafogo and Molenbeek, considers the links between the two men unacceptable because of the conflict of interest it creates.

"I wasn't aware of the protection that comes institutionally. I was not really focused on the dominance of this one man [Al Khelaifi] on the European club association, on the executive committee of UEFA" Textor told former PSG and France midfielder Jerome Rothen who host in own radio show on RMC.

"I was completely shocked in July to be in the meeting of the presidents [of Ligue 1] to discuss viable alternatives on the TV rights deal and the president of the league [Labrune] who should've been running the meeting barely opened his mouth. And Nasser sat there and ran the meeting and should not have even been in the meeting because he is an interested party with his own TV channels," Textor went on to say.

"And every time anybody would raise an alternate idea, Nasser would bark at them and intimidate and bully. And the president of our league just sat there like a lapdog, didn't say anything."

ESPN received a statement from PSG later on Monday, dismissing Textor's comments and defending both the club and Ligue 1.

"It's a shame that you can't buy class and elegance as it would have enabled M. Textor to avoid ridiculing himself through his rude and dense excessiveness towards our President, our institution and our fans," the club said. "He better come back to earth, and to France, too, to comprehend this league that we love so much."

The feud between Textor and Al Khelaifi has been going on since the summer. They have never seen eye to eye and since he bought Lyon in June of 2022 and highlighted the conflict of interest resulting from Al Khelaifi's position as the head of BeIn Sport.

"So no I wasn't aware that the league was so incredibly dominated by this man [Al Khelaifi]," Textor said. "I was not aware, I think of the influence from PSG on the league and even on the DNCG [the French FFP regulator]."

Ligue 1 also issued a statement on Monday responding to the comments from Textor, which read in part: "We were surprise to see John Textor's comments. We are even more amazed of the words used by John Textor as [we] had a very cordial discussion this afternoon."

PSG beat Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final in 2024 in what was Kylian Mbappé's last game for the Parisien club before moving to Real Madrid.

MIAMI -- Mauricio Pochettino has led some of the most distinguished clubs in Europe, but when he accepted the role of U.S. men's national team manager, he made the choice to step into a new environment in the international game. Four months into the job, Pochettino continues to navigate the nuances of his new role.

"Yes, it's been months, but there have been very few weeks working together," Pochettino said to ESPN. "The time we have together is very [limited] that we can spend with the players, but it is about discovering new things every time we are with the players."

He and his staff are still working on understanding what the group needs in order to be successful at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played partially on home soil. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager noted that the biggest challenge he faces is creating a winning mentality within the team.

"If you speak to any coaches from different national teams, different countries, clubs, coaches talk about mentality and the challenges to create the winning mentality," Pochettino said. "The belief -- that is the truth. If we are able to identify the players, 26 or 30 players that share the same mentality, I think we could be a very good group of players with the possibility to compete at our best. It is not only to identify the talent -- it's about the talent and the strong mentality, the winning mentality."

Mentality is one of those traits that often is defined as "I know it when I see it." These days, though, there are metrics that can reveal how effective a team is in this area. Is the team winning its duels, in the air and on the ground? How effective is it in defending set pieces? Nevertheless, it remains a highly subjective assessment.

Attitude and competitiveness are topics that Pochettino is passionate about. In his interview with ESPN, when the subjects come up, he goes from having one hand in his pocket to gesticulating to get his point across, and the Argentine points to his home country as the best practitioners of mentality.

"We talked about Argentina because it's the [world] champion and they have very good players, but for me the most important difference is the mentality -- how they compete as a group and the belief that they have ... when they go to the pitch," he said. "They go to war and to defend your badge, your flag, and that is what we need to create."

Pochettino believes that his players "have a really good mentality, a really good culture." Center back Tim Ream said he felt Pochettino's emphasis on the topic was more down to making sure his players understand that every detail matters.

"I think it's more of [having] a winning mentality every single day, every single training session, every single pass," Ream said. "Everything matters, right? And I think that's more what [Pochettino's] desire and his meaning is, is that everything counts."

That Pochettino has referred to the team's mentality and competitiveness practically from the moment he took the job, however, suggests that there is room for improvement.

There was a time when the U.S. mentality couldn't be questioned. When the USMNT was just beginning to assert itself on the world stage in the 1990s, the team's attitude was what helped make it competitive, even when there was a talent deficit, which was often the case. Now, it's not as consistent.

"Sometimes there's a moment when you go up and down," Pochettino added. "The most important is to be consistent, to keep your capacity and your mentality. We are very happy with them."

The issue of consistency predates Pochettino's tenure as manager.

When the U.S. flamed out of last summer's Copa América, then-manager Gregg Berhalter and some players spoke of how the team didn't always bring the requisite intensity. At the time, the U.S. looked like a team of players who had gotten comfortable. Only when a performer was injured or suspended was there any change in the lineup.

The issue seems to run even deeper, though. Pochettino's arrival has opened up the competition for places, yet there have still been moments in his brief tenure when the team hasn't brought the requisite attitude.

In a 2-0 friendly defeat to Mexico, the U.S. appeared to wilt in the face of El Tri's pressing. The performance in that match of substitute Alejandro Zendejas was notable for just how much more intensity he brought to the field compared to his teammates. Even in the 4-2 win over Jamaica, in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, the U.S. took its foot off the proverbial gas in the second half, conceding twice.

The extent to which the USMNT can be challenged in this area during games is a concern given the lack of competitive fixtures on the calendar ahead of the 2026 World Cup. There are the Concacaf Nations League matches in March, followed by the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer, but that's it.

Pochettino's hope is that the carrot of playing in those tournaments will be enough to drive his players forward.

"I think it's a good opportunity, because of that competitive stress that makes you evolve, [where] you have to compete to get to the World Cup," he said. "But now there's the challenge that we put into the team and players.

"We planted a seed of competitiveness to understand that there are no friendlies. Each game is an opportunity for a player to demonstrate that he can be competing for a spot at the World Cup. The American player is competitive, and we have to understand, and are understanding, that the upcoming games against Costa Rica and Venezuela are games to play and compete. That is something important that we are transmitting."

Pochettino knew that upon signing the U.S. Soccer contract, the hopes of an entire country rested on his shoulders. The coach smiled while insisting he feels no additional pressure from the responsibility to bring joy to a nation's fan base, but his serious tone conveyed the seriousness of the matter.

Although he can only do so much to guide the USMNT to the coveted trophy presented on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, Pochettino assured that he will do everything in his power to make the country proud.

"The priority is to transmit the values that are the idiosyncrasy of this land and people," he said. "The culture of the United States, it's clear that in the U.S., if you see all sports, everyone is very competitive, we want to win. So that, a brave team, a team that is the protagonist and that gives a show and joy."

Pochettino is just months into his tenure, but he realized quickly that a lot needs to be done before this team can dream of being world champions. Slowly, his staff is making adjustments to turn the USMNT back into the hungry and electric team it was once projected to be.

It's too early to tell what will happen in 2026, but Pochettino has come to the U.S. determined to take the USMNT to new heights -- and that'll start with the right frame of mind.

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are in the early stages of their search to replace Mike McCarthy as head coach, but one name is already known: former Cowboys cornerback and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders.

A source said Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones and Sanders spoke Monday, and while an interview has not been scheduled, the two are expected to continue their dialogue. Fox Sports first reported the conversation between the two sides.

Sanders was linked to a Cowboys job that was not even open in the fall.

"To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it's intriguing," Sanders told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday night. "I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up and process it, and think about it, it's intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community."

Sanders just completed his second season at Colorado, where he has posted a 13-12 record, including a 9-4 mark in 2024 during which the Buffaloes had the Heisman Trophy winner in wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

In November, Sanders was asked about potential interest from NFL teams.

"I'm happy where I am, man," Sanders said. "I've got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? ... That means I'm resting. I'm good, I'm happy, I'm excited. I'm enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do."

Sanders received a five-year, $29.5 million contract when he was hired at Colorado in late 2022 after his successful run at Jackson State.

Sanders played five seasons of his Hall of Fame career for the Cowboys, helping the team win Super Bowl XXX in 1996 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He remained in north Texas after his playing career ended, and he has maintained a close relationship with the Jones family.

Per the NFL's Rooney Rule, teams must interview two external minority head coach candidates in their search.

The Cowboys announced Monday that they and McCarthy would part ways after five seasons. McCarthy posted a 49-35 regular-season record, including a 7-10 mark this season.

Rules prohibit any interviews to be scheduled yet, but McCarthy is expected to interview with the Chicago Bears as early as Wednesday, according to multiple sources. The New Orleans Saints also are expected to interview McCarthy.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- As quarterback Matthew Stafford ran onto the field before the Los Angeles Rams' 27-9 playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings at State Farm Stadium, he heard the roar from the traveling fans.

It was an NFC wild-card-round game first scheduled for SoFi Stadium on Monday night before wildfires in Southern California forced the move to Arizona. And despite the fact that the game didn't take place at their home stadium, Stafford said the team was playing for a city going through an extremely difficult time.

"There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lethargic and woe is me and all that, but we knew we weren't playing just for us," Stafford said. "[We were] playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy and I'm glad we could give that to them."

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp said the team understood "there was a really cool opportunity to come out here and be a positive, be something that L.A. could hold on to, a moment of joy and energy that takes people away from the craziness of their lives and things that are going on outside of us right now."

"There was a responsibility I think guys felt to be able to put their best foot forward," Kupp said. "You go out through the tunnel and that weight hits you front and center. These people are here and the energy that they brought, the atmosphere that they created, you wanted to make the most of that."

The ability to play with focus despite the difficult week, Stafford said, comes from coach Sean McVay's leadership. McVay said he thought the way the team played Monday -- "to stay connected, to stay together, just to fight, the spirit, the resilience" -- "epitomized" and "represented the city the right way."

"You talk about sports offering a platform for people to come together, offer a little bit of temporary relief, and I thought the way that our team competed tonight was what it looked like," McVay said.

Despite the game taking place in Arizona, the Rams tried to make it feel like a home game, with their end zones painted in blue and yellow, their graphics on the scoreboards and a giant blue sign that read "THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS." The Rams also unfurled a large banner that read "LA TOGETHER" during a pregame performance.

Los Angeles arranged for charter buses to and from SoFi Stadium for the game, ending up with around 30 buses and 1,500 season-ticket members.

"Unbelievable show of support that we got from the fans today," Stafford said. "Can't say enough about that."

The Rams, who won their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl LVI during the 2021 season, will travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in the NFC divisional round.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In a playoff game that was moved from SoFi Stadium because of the wildfires in Southern California, the Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 on Monday night to advance to the divisional round.

It was an impressive performance for a young defense that has taken a giant step forward since the start of the season, which included a 41-10 drubbing at State Farm Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.

But on Monday night, the Rams got to Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold early and often, and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Verse recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown to give Los Angeles a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.

Darnold took a total of nine sacks on the night -- tying an NFL playoff record -- and Minnesota's offense failed to gain much momentum.

The Rams' playoff victory -- their first since winning Super Bowl LVI during the 2021 season -- came as players and coaches wore Los Angeles Fire Department hats and shirts on the sideline to honor the first responders fighting the fires in Los Angeles.

Next comes the divisional round of the playoffs, where the Rams will travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Sunday.

Here are the most important things to know for both teams:

Los Angeles Rams (11-7)

QB breakdown: Matthew Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and was sacked twice. He completed 12 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns to running backs and tight ends. According to ESPN Research, that is his most such yards and passing touchdowns in a game this season.

Most surprising performance: The Rams' hot start on offense. Los Angeles struggled to score early all season, but that wasn't the case on Monday night as the Rams scored a touchdown on their opening drive for just the third time this season, according to ESPN Research. It was a seven-play, 70-yard drive. Stafford was 6-for-6 for 64 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Kyren Williams.

Pivotal play: Early in the second quarter, Stafford was hit by Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. The play was initially ruled a fumble and a Vikings touchdown after Blake Cashman's scoop and score. That would have tied the game at 10 pending an extra point, but the call was reversed to an incomplete pass, and the Rams kept the ball.

Describe the game in two words: Sack attack. The Rams sacked Darnold nine times, tying an NFL playoff record. Darnold was sacked six times in the first half, the most in any half in any game of his career. According to ESPN Research, the last team with six sacks in the first half of a playoff game was Washington in the January 1988 NFC Championship Game against Minnesota. -- Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Eagles (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET)

Minnesota Vikings (14-4)

The Vikings' dream season came crashing down in their final -- and most important -- two games of the year. Now they'll have the offseason to figure out why -- and what to do about it.

At the center of the discussion will be Darnold, who put up a second consecutive shaky performance after seeming to resurrect his career during a magical regular season. He struggled Monday night to make decisions in the pocket, ultimately taking six sacks in the first half alone after holding the ball an average of 4.52 seconds on those dropbacks, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He lost a fumble on one of those sacks, which Rams linebacker Jared Verse returned for a touchdown, and he also threw an interception in the first half.

That outing came one week after he completed only 18 of 41 passes in a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, a game in which he misfired on at least three potential touchdown opportunities.

Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns during the regular season, prompting the Vikings to consider whether they should bring him back next season and delay the coronation of rookie J.J. McCarthy. But the final two games of this season could make that discussion moot.

Eye-popping stat: In a testament to the struggles of Darnold -- and the rest of the offense -- the Vikings went 21 consecutive drives without a touchdown before tight end T.J. Hockenson scored on a 26-yard reception in the third quarter. The streak, dating back to their Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers, was their longest since coach Kevin O'Connell arrived to start the 2022 season.

Most surprising performance: O'Connell's lack of adjustments. He has expressed extreme trust in Darnold throughout the season and said once again last week that he was confident Darnold would rebound from his performance in Detroit. But O'Connell had no substantive adjustments on hand if Darnold came up short. He made Daniel Jones his No. 3 quarterback, meaning he wasn't eligible to replace Darnold for performance reasons, and O'Connell continued calling pass plays that left Darnold frazzled against a Rams pass rush that recorded sacks on six of the nine pressures it got in that first half.

Biggest hole in the game plan: After failing to get much pressure on Stafford in the teams' regular-season matchup, the Vikings blitzed him on four of his first six dropbacks during the opening possession of Monday night's game. It didn't work. Stafford diced through those blitzes, marching the Rams on a touchdown drive that set the tone for the entire game. -- Kevin Seifert