Italian football manager and former player, head coach of the Italy national team
France has launched its new era under coach Zinedine Zidane with a first training camp at Clairefontaine featuring a 12-player group. Mbappé is absent, while Zidane is joined by Bettoni and Barthez as they prepare for Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
Two Czech finalists are set to compete in Wimbledon 2026 after dramatic semi-finals. Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova have reached the final, with Noskova defeating Marta Kostyuk and Muchova surviving a battle with Coco Gauff to claim a spot in the showpiece. The weekend promises a first-time Wimbledon women’s champion from the Czech Republic.
FIFA has proposed selling up to 20% of a new commercial arm, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to raise about $4.2bn and offer one‑off $20m payments to each of its 211 member associations. UEFA and several confederations have threatened boycotts, lodged legal and ethics warnings, and flagged potential arbitration over links to investors including Joshua Kushners firm.
The Italian Football Federation has been exploring Pep Guardiola’s potential appointment as Italy head coach. While discussions have continued, officials say salary exceptions could be considered, though the final decision remains uncertain. Mancini and Pirlo are among other candidates amid Italy’s World Cup qualification crisis and short-term coaching search.
Italy has appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach after a chaotic recruitment process following World Cup qualification failure. Maldini and Leonardo have departed amid leadership shifts while the federation pursues a long-term overhaul and considers other candidates.
Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca faces a midfield puzzle as Rodri undergoes back surgery, with questions over his return and possible moves in a window that also sees new signings like Elliot Anderson and cautious talk around James Trafford and Jack Grealish.
Andrea Pirlo has announced he is no longer a candidate for Italy’s national team head coach, following political concerns over his sponsorship deal with Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Maldini’s backing for Pirlo is under scrutiny as Italy’s football federation reshuffles its leadership after missing a third World Cup.
Italy has reappointed Roberto Mancini as men’s national coach and named Claudio Ranieri technical director after a chaotic selection that prompted Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo to resign. Mancini will lead a team still reeling from a third consecutive World Cup failure and will begin with Nations League fixtures in September.