1 week ago Gennaro Gattuso seeks ‘family’ ethos in bid to avoid World Cup unthinkable

Hero of 2006 World Cup was second choice behind Claudio Ranieri and has not had a successful career as managerGennaro Gattuso said all the things he was expected to say at his first appearance as Italy manager. He talked about the need to restore enthusiasm to an Azzurri side whose morale has been dented by recent setbacks, as well as that sense of shared purpose that bonded him to teammates in the World Cup-winning side of 2006.The word he kept coming back to was “family”, insisting: “That’s the most important thing, more than tactics or formations.” His is not a vision of paternalistic authority but of a group close enough to speak hard truths to each other’s faces. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘A symbol of Italian football’: Azzurri appoint Gennaro Gattuso as head coach

Former midfielder replaces Luciano Spalletti‘The blue jersey is like a second skin for him,’ says FIGCThe former Milan and Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed Italy’s national-team coach, the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed on Sunday.Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked last week as a result of a 3-0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier. Gattuso will be formally introduced as head coach on Thursday at Rome’s Parco dei Principi hotel. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Stacey Solomon stuns in orange bikini on solo holiday after 'battles' with Joe Swash

Loose Women's Stacey Solomon has been updating fans from her solo trip to Italy where she's been busy working, but also managed to find some time to soak up some sun

Events

3 w. ago Claudio Ranieri rejects Italy manager job after Luciano Spalletti announces own sacking

Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 drubbing by Norway

Society

3 w. ago Football Daily | Dilly ding, dilly dong! Italy press the big World Cup panic button again

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!When Italy were humbled by Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday night, the response from Gazzetta dello Sport was as measured as you would expect. “ENOUGH!” screamed the pink paper’s front-page headline the next day, while the lengthy howl of anguish over which it appeared declared that the country’s “World Cup is already at risk”. While Luciano Spalletti had been bullish in the immediate aftermath of his knack-ravaged side’s 3-0 defeat in Oslo, on Sunday he cut a far more forlorn figure as he appeared alone before a bloodthirsty press-pack to preview the qualifier against Moldova, unaccompanied by any of his players or even a simpering national team media handler.Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach [Michal Probierz], I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge. I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the ...

Politics

3 w. ago Luciano Spalletti: Italy coach reveals own sacking in emotional press conference

The Azzurri are in danger of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago Italy boss Luciano Spalletti announces his OWN sacking two days on from dismal 3

Spalletti, 66, sensationally announced his own departure while speaking to reporters ahead of the Azzurri's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

Politics

3 w. ago Italy boss Luciano Spalletti announces his own SACKING and storms out of spiky press conference

Spalletti, 66, sensationally announced his own departure while speaking to reporters ahead of the Azzurri's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

Events

3 w. ago Luciano Spalletti claims he has been sacked by Italy after Norway humiliation

Manager makes announcement at fiery press conference‘I had no intention of giving up I’ll be there against Moldova’Luciano Spalletti has been sacked from his role as Italy’s coach, the manager said on Sunday, following their heavy loss to Norway, but will take charge of Monday’s game against Moldova.Spalletti made the announcement at a press conference after Norway stunned Italy with a 3-0 win on Friday, handing the visitors a humiliating start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Luciano Spalletti storms out of press conference after announcing Italy sacking

Luciano Spalletti has spent less than two years in charge of Italy but has been sacked after a dire loss to Norway in their opening game of qualification for the 2026 World Cup

Events

3 w. ago Italy fans call for Claudio Ranieri as Fabio Capello points finger amid World Cup fears

Claudio Ranieri's is the people's choice to take the coaching job after the shocking 3-0 defeat to Erling Haaland's Norway with Luciano Spalletti's position under threat

Politics

3 w. ago Italy fans call for Claudio Ranieri as Luciano Spalletti unceremoniously sacked

Claudio Ranieri's is the people's choice to take the coaching job after the shocking 3-0 defeat to Erling Haaland's Norway with Luciano Spalletti having been sacked by the FIGC

Politics

3 w. ago The year of Napoli and Scott McTominay: the Serie A season review

The Scottish influence inspired title winners in Naples, Inter blew up and Claudio Ranieri enjoyed his Roman returnThe season has barely ended and already it is clear Serie A will look very different next term. Five of the league’s top 10 sides have parted ways with their managers and a sixth, Claudio Ranieri, is moving upstairs at Roma. More changes may soon follow, with Igor Tudor’s future at Juventus uncertain and Como’s Cesc Fàbregas drawing attention from richer clubs – including the runners-up, Inter, who need a replacement for Simone Inzaghi.Could we equal the turnover of last summer, when 14 out of 20 teams got a new coach? It’s not impossible, especially with several lower-half teams and their tacticians still exploring the options available. Continue reading...

Politics