Italian referee Marco Di Bello is the VAR for this evening’s World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, with Maurizio Mariani the fourth official.

The game kicked off in Atlanta at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

The winners will go on to face Spain in the Final in New Jersey on Sunday, while the losers will take on France for the bronze medal on Saturday.

Much was made of the choice of officials for the semi-finals in this tournament, with France’s Didier Deschamps criticising the appointment of Ivan Barton from El Salvador.

The pick for the second semi-final was no less obscure, Ismail Elfath originally from Morocco, but nationalised US citizen.

Italian experience with Di Bello and Mariani

There is more experience off the field, as Italian fourth official Mariani is tasked with keeping things calm on the touchline between Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni.

In the VAR booth is Di Bello, who could well be called into action, considering the tense and scrappy history between these football nations.

Di Bello turned 45 on Sunday and has officiated 189 Serie A games, 75 in Serie B and 11 in the Coppa Italia.

He was always one for discipline, flashing 822 yellow cards during his 189 Serie A matches, 31 straight red cards, and a further 17 dismissals due to double bookings.

Di Bello became an international referee in 2018 and was chosen to officiate the Final of the Cyprus Cup in May 2022.

He was a VAR at EURO 2020 and has been a FIFA Video Match Official since January 2021.

Di Bello was suspended for a month in 2024 after a chaotic Serie A match between Lazio and Milan that saw three red cards.

Andrea Pirlo has emerged as the frontrunner to become Italy’s next head coach, but the prospect of appointing the former World Cup winner has already divided opinion across the country. Lorenzo Bettoni and Alasdair Mackenzie discuss in the latest episode of the Football Italia Summer Show.

Click here to subscribe to the official YouTube channel of Football Italia.

Next Italy coach: Yes or no to Pirlo?

While Pirlo’s reputation as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation is beyond question, his relatively limited experience in management has prompted a lively debate over whether he is the right man to lead the Azzurri into a new era.

With the Italian Football Federation facing a crucial decision, several other candidates have also been linked with the role.

Each brings a different profile, from proven tactical expertise to international experience, making the search for Italy’s next coach one of the most intriguing storylines in Italian football.

In the latest episode of our Summer Show on YouTube, Lorenzo Bettoni and Alasdair Mackenzie examine Pirlo’s coaching career, weighing up both the strengths and the concerns surrounding his candidacy.

They also assess the leading alternatives, discussing which coach would be the best fit for the national team and who offers Italy the strongest chance of returning to the top of international football.

Andrea Pirlo’s presence on the shortlist to become Italy’s next head coach has drawn a note of caution from Antonello Valentini, with the former FIGC director general insisting the Azzurri are in no position to take risks.

Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb radio, Valentini addressed the four-man list reportedly outlined by federation president Giovanni Malagò: Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, Pirlo and Pep Guardiola.

“For me Pirlo is a gamble, and we cannot afford gambles. Mancini and Conte are two certainties,” he said. “Guardiola is a great coach, but not one suited to a national team, because he needs time, intense daily work. A national side gathers on average every 45 to 50 days.”

The calendar, he argued, leaves no margin for error. “We can no longer gamble, we have to go with certainty,” he added, pointing to six Nations League fixtures against Belgium, Turkey and France in the autumn, ahead of December’s Euro 2028 qualifying draw.

Valentini backs Mancini and Conte for Italy job after Pirlo doubts

On the two frontrunners, Valentini addressed the reservations attached to each.

“Conte is certainly a winning coach, but he has to make peace with himself, the Federation doesn’t need a coach for two years or eighteen months, it needs to open a new technical era,” he said.

As for Mancini’s 2023 walkout for Saudi Arabia: “Enough with this ethical life sentence. He understood he made a mistake, he repented, he apologised. He won a European Championship and had 37 consecutive results without defeat.”

The decision now rests with Malagò and new technical director Paolo Maldini, whose appointment alongside advisor Leonardo last week marked the first step of the federation’s rebuild after a third straight World Cup missed. Valentini, for his part, has made his order of preference plain.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Italy’s technical director Paolo Maldini is determined to involve Gianluigi Buffon in his project, offering the former goalkeeper a primary role within the Azzurri.

Newly-appointed Italy technical director Maldini wants to include Buffon in his Azzurri project, according to Gazzetta.

Buffon given a new Italy role by Maldini?

The report claims that Buffon will be offered a primary role within Club Italia, the Body that oversees the activity of the national teams, from the youth sectors to the first team.

Buffon resigned following the Azzurri’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final this past March, alongside Gattuso and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.

Gazzetta claims that Buffon will soon be contacted by Maldini.

Buffon previously served as Italy’s Delegation Chief under Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso, but the offer he will receive from FIGC concerns a different role for the legendary goalkeeper.

Gazzetta also confirms that Andrea Pirlo, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy alongside Buffon, remains Maldini’s favourite option to become the new Nazionale coach.

The FIGC confirmed Maldini’s appointment as Italy’s technical director last Saturday, with the ex-defender joined by his former Milan teammate Leonardo, serving as an advisor.

Paolo Maldini’s appointment as Italy’s technical director has generated positive reactions nationwide, with fans and Azzurri legends alike expressing confidence and excitement.

Italy’s football federation (FIGC) confirmed Maldini’s appointment on Saturday night, announcing that the ex-defender will be joined by Leonardo, who has been hired as an advisor.

Italy turned the World Cup into a TV event for the third consecutive time; meanwhile, MelBet Tanzania kept football fans entertained with a thrilling tournament, which has seen France, Spain, Argentina and England qualify for the semi-finals.

Italy were desperate to rebuild, and Maldini’s appointment marks the start of a new project that will see the Azzurri legend take on a commanding role.

Along with Leonardo, Maldini will identify the ideal candidate to coach the Italian national team. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are seen as the frontrunners, but other names are starting to emerge in the Italian media, even some intriguing ones like Pep Guardiola and Didier Deschamps.

While waiting for a new coach, the first big decision by the new FIGC President, Giovanni Malagò, has undoubtedly garnered significant approval.

Dino Zoff, who coached Maldini during Euro 2000, which the Azzurri lost in the Final to France, said: “Paolo has given so much for our football, to Milan in particular but also for the national team. He was also one of my players when I was in charge and I can’t forget his father Cesare either, who was Bearzot’s assistant when I won the World Cup in 1982.

“Maldini is a perfect appointment in terms of character, charisma and competence. I also understand the choice of Leonardo as an advisor. It’s right that a leader surrounds himself with people he trusts.”

A 1982 Italy World Cup winner, Zoff is confident Maldini will make a wise decision regarding the new Italy head coach: “Maldini has to be free to follow his beliefs, without external interference,” he said.

Zoff was echoed by ex-Milan star Alessandro Costacurta, who spent many years with Maldini and won numerous trophies at San Siro.

“This is great news for Italian football, because we have brought in one of the most illuminated and sincere people in the sport,” said the former defender.

“Malagò made the best possible choice. In fact, picking Maldini is perhaps more important than choosing the new coach.

Leonardo is more of a dreamer, a visionary, whereas Paolo is more practical, looks to his knowledge and instinct,” Costacurta concluded.

“The best thing about them is that they listen to each other, despite starting from different ideas, and always manage to find a common solution.”

Antonio Conte refuses to comment on speculation regarding his possible appointment as Italy coach, but praises two of his ex-strikers, Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez, who will meet in the World Cup semifinal tonight.

Conte left Napoli in May after spending two seasons at the Stadio Maradona.

One of the most successful Italian coaches of the last decade, Conte has long been linked with the Italy job this summer, but, following Paolo Maldini’s appointment as technical director, Conte no longer seems one of the top options for the Azzurri.

Conte gave an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport while on holiday with his family. The pink paper said that Conte agreed to talk to their reporter as long as the conversation did not concern his future.

“Now, I’m happy like this,” he said.

Conte did talk about the World Cup, also focusing on two of his ex-strikers, Kane and Lautaro Martinez.

Conte: Kane is almost a No.10

The Bayern Munich and Inter stars will meet tonight in the World Cup semifinal. The winner will face Spain in the Final next Sunday.

“Harry [Kane] is a great No.9, but he’s almost a No.10 too,” Conte said.

“He understands the movements; he knows when to drop deep and play as a playmaker. He’s a fantastic player, with great quality and technique. It was unfair that he had never won anything, and at Bayern Munich, he’s getting the satisfaction he deserves. Who knows, maybe he can do the same with the national team. Kane is a leader in his own way. Perhaps not with words, but inside the game. His teammates look for him because they trust him, and he never lets them down.”

Conte coached Kane at Tottenham and had previously won the Serie A title at Inter, coaching Lautaro Martinez.

Conte said he was impressed with the Argentine’s “continuous growth, as well as charisma and personality.”

“There’s an Inter with Lautaro and an Inter without Lautaro. His presence shifts the balance,” continued the Italian tactician.

“Lautaro’s contribution to Argentina’s third goal against Egypt went somewhat unnoticed, but it was incredible. He carried the ball up the pitch, protected it, gave Enzo Fernandez enough time to arrive and delivered a perfect cross. You don’t expect that kind of play from a No.9.

“Lautaro, like Julian Alvarez, understood that he could still be important even if only for a few minutes. They accepted the situation by putting their egos aside and prioritising the team’s needs. Credit to both of them, and to Scaloni for convincing them.

Inevitably, however, the brightest Argentine star is once again Leo Messi.

“He’s gone beyond expectations, once more,” noted Conte.

“He has arrived in incredible shape, which once again proves his incredible professionalism and desire. Leo has the brainpower to always be in the right place because he predicts what will happen.”

At the end of the interview, the journalist still tried to know more about Conte’s potential return as Italy coach.

“Too many things have been said. It’s time for action, not for talk and politics,” the ex-Napoli, Juventus and Inter boss replied.

“We cannot miss three World Cups in a row. A feat has been accomplished, but in reverse.”

Spain have now gone 37 consecutive games unbeaten, equalling Italy’s record under Roberto Mancini, and will overtake the Azzurri if they win the World Cup.

Spain beat France 2-0 on Tuesday to become the first finalist of the 2026 World Cup.

Italy and Spain share an unbeaten record

La Roja will meet the winner of Argentina vs England in the Final next Sunday.

As Gazzetta highlights, Spain have now been unbeaten in the last 37 matches across all competitions, matching the record set by Mancini’s Italy between 2018 and 2021.

This means that Spain will beat Italy’s record if they win the World Cup.

Luis De La Fuente has selected no Serie A players in his Spain team for the 2026 World Cup.

They have scored 13 goals at the 2026 World Cup so far, conceding just once, from Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere in a quarter-final clash against Belgium.

Spain have already broken one of Italy’s World Cup records this summer, with goalkeeper Unai Simón going unbeaten for more than 519 minutes and surpassing Walter Zenga’s mark, which had stood for 36 years.

 

 

Gazzetta dello Sport

One Azzurro leads to another

Maldini and Malagò want Buffon in Club Italia. Pirlo is increasingly favourite to become the new coach

Goodbye France

Spain into the final after 16 years

Blues irrecognizable: Mbappé’s flop. Oyarzabal’s penalty and Porro’s goal decide the game. England-Argentina tonight.

Modric, here we are: one-year renewal ready

Inter all over Spence: Tottenham ask for 35m

Conte: ‘Kane-Lautaro, I’ll explain to you, my hitmen.’

Corriere dello Sport

Nothing goes anymore: France darkness, Deschamps era over, Spain into the Final

Mbappé and Dembélé out: Messi, the obstacle is Kane

Allegri: ‘I’ll compensate you.’

From the Scudetto taken from Sarri in 2018 to the new objectives: ‘I’m here to give something back. The club thinks about the transfers. A company man? That’s a compliment. I won’t reply to Cardinale. I’m sorry for how it went.’

Inter between Doué and Spence

Milan call Mazraoui

Muha makes Juve rich

Rocchi’s case is to be dismissed

Tuttosport

Spanish coup: Surprise at the World Cup, no Final for the France of phenomenons

Spalletti dreams of Balogun

Muharemovic unlocks the Juventus market: not just Kolo and Pellegrino for the attack.

The Bosnian’s sale to Leeds is about to boost the Bianconeri’s finances with €20m following the agreement with Sassuolo. Monaco ask for at least €50m for the American; the coach hopes for a coup. Emery blocks Dibu to Villa: turn to Vicario. Kessié flirts.

Absurd: Toro fans banned from friendlies

Giuntoli against Marotta: ‘Palestra, we behaved well.’

Here’s why Comacchio, Italy should be on your radar.

© <p>Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images</p>

In this episode of the Football Italia Summer Show, Lorenzo Bettoni sits down with Jonathan Grade, the producer behind Channel 4’s iconic Football Italia, to revisit one of the most influential football programmes ever broadcast in the UK.

Click here to subscribe to the official Football Italia YouTube channel

Together, they explore how Football Italia captured the imagination of millions of supporters and introduced an entire generation of fans to the drama, passion, and quality of Serie A during its golden era.

From legendary players and historic clubs to unforgettable moments that shaped Italian football’s global appeal, the discussion looks back at a period when Italy was the centre of the football world.

The conversation also examines the challenges Italian football has faced over the past three decades and what has been missing in Serie A’s evolution.

Lorenzo and Jonathan discuss the decline of stadium experiences, the importance of modern marketing, the changing landscape of television coverage, and how these factors have impacted the league’s ability to compete with Europe’s biggest competitions.

 

Paolo Maldini, Leonardo and Giovanni Malagò will finalise a shortlist of candidates for the Italy head coach role, with a final decision expected by next week, according to Gazzetta.

Italy will appoint a new head coach in the coming days and, according to Gazzetta, FIGC President Malagò will hold talks with technical director Maldini and his advisor Leonardo today.

Maldini, Leonardo and Malagò hold Italy coach talks

It’s not guaranteed that the trio will meet in person, but they are expected to make contact today to discuss the candidates for the job for the first time.

Gennaro Gattuso, a former teammate of Leonardo and Maldini at Milan, resigned after failing to secure World Cup qualification in March and was temporarily replaced by U21 coach Silvio Baldini for friendly games against Luxembourg and Greece in June.

Conte and Mancini were mentioned as the main candidates for the Italy job until yesterday, but Gazzetta notes that Conte is no longer in the first row, while Mancini holds a solid bond with Malagò.

The likes of Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola have also been linked with the Italy job in recent hours, but Gazzetta highlights that securing a deal with the former Manchester City boss might prove tricky for the federation, primarily for financial reasons.

Maldini, Leonardo and Malagò are expected to agree on a shortlist today, while the final decision over the new Italy coach will reportedly be made by next week.

Here’s everything you need to know about Italy’s “Vienna by the Sea.”

© <p>Jaka Bulc/Travel &#43; Leisure</p>

Italy legend Roberto Baggio feels Lionel Messi is better than Pelé and Diego Armando Maradona ‘for what he’s been doing for 20 years’, while Marco Materazzi picks ‘the real’ Ronaldo.

Baggio and Materazzi joined other football legends for a debate on football, including the best player of all time.

Baggio picks Messi over Maradona and Pelé

The former Azzurri stars were joined by other legends, including Gabriel Omar Batistuta, Ronaldo, and Romario.

When the debate focused on the best player of all time, with Messi, Pelé and Maradona in contention, Baggio said: “It’s very hard; it’s even ugly to rank, as we are talking about the absolute essence of football. These three have been above the others.

“As of today, I’d say Messi for what he’s been doing for 20 years, in terms of quality and quantity. If I have to pick one, I’ll say his name, but we are talking about three incredible players.”

Materazzi, on the other hand, picked another player sitting at the same table: “I always say this, for me, it’s him [Ronaldo]. Because what he did without two knees, going 150 km/h, nobody has done it. I’m a boomer, but when I watch YouTube, and I see what he used to do, at a time when defenders hit hard, you feel he was Martian, and he really was a Martian.

“Sorry, Diego, Pelé and Messi. To me, it was him, the Phenomenon. The Real Ronaldo, but respect to Cristiano.”

Materazzi won the 2006 World Cup with the Italy national team, scoring two goals during that tournament, including the equaliser in the Final against France. That was the only World Cup Materazzi played.

Baggio, on the other hand, took part in three editions of the World Cup in 1990, 1994 and 1998 and famously missed a penalty in the 1994 Final against Brazil.

• READ MORE: Messi gifts Baggio Argentina shirt after World Cup quarter-final

Gazzetta

Pirlo gamble: Maldini and Leonardo consider a surprise coach

Ex-coach of Juve and Samp, now he works in Dubai. Malagò: ‘Guardiola? You need to be compatible.’

Inter: Khalaili deal falls through, now they chase Spence

Milan, there’s Ramos with the No.9, Amorim at full speed

Juve, offer made for Kessié, Roma want Garnacho and Moreira

Final assault

France favourite, but Spain await Yamal

Corriere dello Sport

Inter, now Doué

Khalaili deal falls through.

CONI denies the eligibility of the Israeli wing-back. Dumfries’ heir still missing, relaunch for the Ivorian

Pressing on Strasbourg. Chivu: ‘We have no limits.’

Tug of war for the full-back, brother of PSG winger. Spence, Belghali, Ndoye and Molina sounded out too. Cristian: ‘After Scudetto and Coppa, we want to improve.’

Juve, Pellegrino advances

Cardinale, like Berlusconi, arrives at Milanello by helicopter.

Allegri hugs Napoli

Roma: Garnacho and Moreira

Dinner with Mbappé and Yamal

World Cup: The first semi-final France-Spain at 21:00

 

Tuttosport

Juve against everything

Not just refusals on the market: Yildiz and Thuram’s knees concern Spalletti and the fans

Patellofemoral syndrome for the Frenchman, as well as tendinopathy for the Turkishman, the season resumes with Douglas Luiz, the ‘star’ of the first day of pre-season. Carnevali’s ultimatum to PSG for Kolo Muani, then he gathers the players and staff members, highlighting the responsibility of being Bianconeri. David offered to Paris FC.

National team: Pirlo is on the rise

The new Italy technical director and his right-hand man want to rely on one of the Berlin heroes. Malagò is favourable to the idea of building a coach in-house.

Toro, Perri goes uphill too

Khalaili deal collapses: Inter ‘broken’

Golden World Cup with the Fantastic seven

Marco Palestra’s agent hit back angrily at Inter President Beppe Marotta and reveals when Chelsea got involved. ‘Over 45 days, Inter never reached an agreement with Atalanta.’

The Italy international had been on the verge of joining Inter last month in a deal believed to be worth €40m plus €5m add-ons.

However, before they could shake hands, Chelsea dived in with a proposal worth a good €10m more to Atalanta, and with double the salary on offer at San Siro.

Inter President Marotta bitterly criticised Palestra today during a press conference and mentioned agent Alessandro Lucci too.

“Take the case of Palestra, for example. It was the result of a decision made by the player, who backed out of a verbal agreement,” said Marotta.

“His agent could have steered him in a different direction, but chose this path instead, and we had to accept seeing another Italian player move to a league that is not in direct competition with ours.”

Palestra agent replies to Inter attack

Lucci did not take that lying down and has now given a statement to news agency ANSA.

“I listened with great sadness and at the same time enormous shock at the words of Inter President Marotta, who I’ve had a professional rapport with for over 25 years, doing many deals together,” said Palestra’s agent.

“The Inter directors, represented by Piero Ausilio, carried on constant and constructive talks with us on the opportunity to complete this transfer.

“However, the element that decided the outcome was not described accurately in today’s press conference. Over 45 days the two clubs, who were in daily contact, were never able to reach a definitive agreement.

“This allowed Chelsea, with whom contact began only two weeks earlier, as I had quickly informed the two clubs, burst in during the final days and sealed a deal with Atalanta, the player and with us to close the move rapidly.

“At this point, I hope that we can all turn the page and look to the future with calm, without more attacks as a pretext against a player who deserves respect.”

It was no secret that several months ago Palestra was approached by Inter and told them he would be more than happy to wait it out for a move to San Siro.

However, the failure to work out a deal with Atalanta stalled the process, and ultimately Chelsea came in with an equally strong project.

It is not the first time that Inter have struggled to agree terms with Atalanta, as they also came close with no progress for Ademola Lookman and Ederson.

Andrea Pirlo is the new favourite to take over as Italy coach, claims La Gazzetta dello Sport, as Paolo Maldini and Leonardo hope to reunite with a former Milan teammate.

The Nazionale can begin taking shape now that the decision has finally been made to appoint a technical director, a role that until now did not exist within the Azzurri set-up.

Maldini is in charge now along with his consultant Leonardo of choosing who will sit on the bench when Italy begin their Nations League campaign in September.

Pirlo emerges as Italy candidate

Until now, Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini had been the main contenders for a return to the job, along with the audacious idea of approaching Pep Guardiola.

However, the Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Pirlo is emerging as a genuine candidate.

The 47-year-old was of course part of the squad that won the 2006 World Cup, and he is currently a coach in Dubai with United FC.

His management experience is limited to Juventus in 2020-21, where he won the Coppa Italia, then in the Turkish Super Lig with Karagumruk, and a brief spell at Sampdoria that ended in August 2024.

Pirlo knows both Maldini and Leonardo well from their time together at the successful Milan side, where the midfielder played from 2001 to 2011.

It is reported that Maldini had wanted to hire him as the coach of Milan in 2023.

Unlike the other alternatives on the list, Pirlo’s wage demands would not break the bank of the FIGC.

Inter President Beppe Marotta notes that new Chelsea signing Marco Palestra ‘backed out of a verbal agreement’ with the Nerazzurri, but blames the defender’s agent as well: ‘He could have steered him in a different direction.’

Inter President Marotta joined coach Cristian Chivu for a press conference on Monday, on the first day of the Nerazzurri pre-season.

The defending Serie A champions are still looking for a replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who joined Real Madrid in a €20m deal.

Marotta: Palestra ‘backed out of a verbal agreement’ with Inter

Their primary target, Marco Palestra, joined Chelsea two weeks ago despite having reached an agreement with Inter.

“We need to keep costs under control, not investments. I’m referring to players we can’t sign because their wages are too high and to agents, whose influence on the club’s finances is becoming increasingly significant,” Marotta said via FcInternews.

“We have to deal with these realities, which have a major impact on the transfer market.

“Take the case of Palestra, for example. It was the result of a decision made by the player, who backed out of a verbal agreement,” Marotta added.

“His agent could have steered him in a different direction, but chose this path instead, and we had to accept seeing another Italian player move to a league that is not in direct competition with ours.”

During his press conference, Marotta announced that Inter’s second target, Anan Khalaili, had failed his medical tests, meaning that his €25m transfer from Union Saint-Gilloise has fallen apart.

Inter have won three Serie A titles during Marotta’s reign, but the one conquered in 2025-26 under Chivu was his first one as the Nerazzurri’s president.

Inter began their pre-season today and will make their 2026-27 Serie A debut at home against Monza on August 22.

Beppe Bergomi insists that Paolo Maldini is the best choice for Italy and the FIGC in his new role as technical director, but says that he is still willing to offer his assistance if called upon: “If Paolo called me, I would listen to someone like him.”

Bergomi on Maldini and Italy’s next head coach: ‘He’s the best choice by some distance’

Maldini has recently been appointed as the new technical director of the Italian FA under recently-elected FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. He will be tasked with ‘rebuilding’ the Italy national team after three successive World Cup disappointments and with reshaping the wider state of football and youth development in Italy. 

Had Maldini not accepted the offer to return to the Italy national team set-up, there was a list of alternatives that reportedly included Bergomi, who says that he is still willing to offer his assistance if required. 

“I was pleased to be on the list,” said Bergomi in an in-depth interview with La Repubblica.  

“There’s a lot of respect between myself and Malagò, he was the one who let me carry the torch during the opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, one of the most exciting moments of my life. 

“Had Paolo not accepted, I would have been among the possible alternatives and for me, that is a source of pride. Maldini is the best choice, by some distance.

“Paolo has experience, he has already been a director at a high level. He has good values, he is competent. I love him, I think he’s the best Italian player I’ve ever played with. He has a new position now, he will be able to make the difference.”

Later, when pushed on whether he would still be willing to assist in the Italy set-up if given the opportunity, Bergomi replied: “If Paolo called me, I would listen to someone like him. 

“I like being a commentator with Sky, but the Italy shirt has characterised my career, from 1982 all the way to 1998. I played in four World Cups. If I can help, I won’t back down.”

Maldini has also brought former Milan teammate, ex-Rossoneri and PSG director Leonardo with him as an advisor. 

Bergomi says that this is “a smart move. There will be a lot of work, you could have every possible quality, but it’s always better with two. Maldini is practical in the way he manages, Leo is a dreamer, it’s an interesting mix. 

“They will have to understand how to get the best out of the youth sectors, get the Azzurri supply chain working well. They tell me that there are two promising vintage years, the boys born in 2007 and 2010. 

“We all need to have the same principles, the same shared guidelines. The various age categories have to play with the same ideas. Think about the national team like a club. I recently watched a youth tournament won by a group of Spanish U11s, they all have a similar way of playing. 

“We also have a lot of talent, let’s not waste it. We need the courage to let our youngsters play and make mistakes.”

It remains to be seen who will be appointed as the next head coach of the Italy national team. Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte remain the frontrunners, and the candidacy of the ‘dream’ option Pep Guardiola has re-emerged over the last few days. 

“There is no one right choice, it depends on the football you believe in,” said Bergomi when discussing the candidates for the role of Italy CT. 

“Guardiola intrigues me, and when you have Paolo in your camp, you have the strength and the standing to go and talk to Pep. They can give it a try. 

“I’m a football romantic. These coaches have made a lot of money. I often hear that if they lower their demands, their status isn’t valued. But I would say, does someone like Guardiola, a football genius, need to think about his status?

“Leading a national team can be a stimulating challenge, he could see it as that, as a challenge. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the other candidates aren’t strong either.” 

Reports on Monday indicate that Mancini is the current favourite for the Italy job. 

“He’s perfect as a coach,” says Bergomi. “And he has the desire to return. He has vision, he knows how to identify talent, he deserves another opportunity.” 

And as for Conte, Bergomi says: “He knows how to build a team in a short period of time, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. He demands a lot but gives just as much.”

Bergomi has offered his own alternative option that he feels is worth looking at: “I’d also like a profile like (Cesc) Fabregas. His Como side is a model to study, He knows how to work with youngsters, he knows how to develop talent. A shame that he isn’t free and available.”

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has weighed in with his opinions on the general state of football in Italy, the need for reforms across the board and the state of affairs in the capital as Roma get back to work at the beginning of pre-season. 

The Giallorossi are back at Trigoria for their first day of pre-season training on Monday, and head coach Gasperini stopped to give an interview to Radio Rai 1 before stepping back onto the training pitch. 

He assured supporters that the ‘real’ work on the transfer market will begin from today, and that most clubs at the top level have had a slow start to the window on account of the ongoing 2026 World Cup in the United States. 

Gasperini also insists that Roma must become regulars in the Champions League before they start dreaming of the Serie A title, that consistent qualification into Europe’s premier competition will help them financially, which will then in turn push them on to fight for trophies.  

Gasperini also spoke about the recent appointment of Paolo Maldini to the position of technical director with the FIGC and the changes that he would like to see brought in across Italy, beginning with a review of how youth systems operate across the board. 

Gasperini on Roma’s ‘sleepy’ transfer window long-term goals

Beginning with his assessment of the transfer window thus far, Gasperini said: “Apart from a few teams, it’s been a fairly sleepy window up until now because of the World Cup, so many players are involved in the United States, their agents as well. 

“The clubs haven’t armoured themselves yet. The ‘real’ window will begin this week for most teams. All teams seem very keen to strengthen.” 

He also gave his opinions on the World Cup and the controversial hydration breaks that many argue are fundamentally changing the way the sport is played. 

“I think there are two types of football,” Gasperini hypothesised. “The one that is played in August and the one that is played in normal weather conditions. Playing football at certain temperatures is not the same type of sport. 

“I think it’s been a great World Cup with full stadiums, it’s been a great success in the United States. But from an aesthetics point of view, playing in these conditions isn’t ideal. I believe that the pauses are only because of these factors.”

Returning to the topic of Roma and the transfer window, his aims for the 2026-27 season and his long-term ambitions, Gasperini added: “Lots of teams want to strengthen in July, but we’ll have to see what happens in the window. 

“Inter are always the favourites, then there are another five or six teams who want to do well. Milan and Juve are out of the Champions League and will want to improve, they all have potential. 

“Roma must continue on its own journey: We shouldn’t think about results, we have to try and stabilise at the top, to stay in the Champions League, which then guarantees the possibility of strengthening from an economic point of view. 

“If we manage to stay in those positions for multiple years, then we can aspire to even more and also aim for the Scudetto.”

Gasperini: ‘Most Serie A sides struggle to field Italians, it’s a cultural fact’

Gasperini was asked if he thinks there will be a bigger presence of Italian players in Serie A this season. 

He replied: “It’s a speech that applies to everyone, not just to Roma. There are quotas in the Serie A and UEFA lists, such as the 4+4 rule. Hardly anyone, including Roma, can tick those boxes, it’s a cultural fact. Even with the players from our own youth teams, those four players are almost never actually part of the team. 

“This has to become a fundamental talking point. Even if the clubs are made up of mostly foreign players, it has to be a focal point that we have to fight for.”

Gasperini was then asked for his opinion on the appointment of Paolo Maldini as the new technical director of the FIGC and what this means for the ‘rebirth’ of football in Italy.

“There will be a rebirth, but not just because of one or two individuals, nor with the new coach,” he replied. “It has to be a system, which evidently hasn’t been working until now, it hasn’t been able to bring through players of the required level. 

“Aside from good people, there will have to be bigger reforms. There are lots of kids in the academies. If none of them come through, the problem is with the adults, not with the children. I believe that there is more quality in our football than what has been achieved with the national team in recent years. 

“It won’t be easy, but I think we’ll be able to put a competitive national team out onto the pitch. But, the system has to be reviewed, particularly the youth sector.”

Gasperini on Kone and Dybala

Gasperini was also asked if he thinks Roma will have to sell a key player like Manu Kone in order to help with the club’s financial fair play situation. 

He said: “The financial fair play conditions are never exactly precise or defined, they vary from team to team. It’s undeniable that Roma know that we have to balance the budgets, which has been tough in recent years. 

“I’d hoped that entry into the Champions League would have been enough, but budgets are important for clubs and must be respected. I think there will be more clarity in the coming weeks.”

And on Kone specifically, he added: “Kone had a great first half of the season, and then was out of action due to injury for a bit during the second half. He’s having a great World Cup. He didn’t play with the France national team last year, but now he’s been able to claim a starting spot. It shows his potential and the work he’s put in.”

Lastly, Gasperini hinted that a contract extension may be close when asked for an update on Paulo Dybala. 

He said: “We’ve been stuck in the starting blocks for a little while. Partly because of holidays, partly because of the strong end to the season. We’ve enjoyed that this summer. From today onwards, there will be important steps forward. The work begins now, the 2026-27 season starts now, last year is over.”

Paolo Maldini has accepted the Italian Football Federation’s offer to become the new technical director of the Azzurri, with his former Milan teammate Leonardo set to join him in an advisory role.

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What to expect from Maldini as Azzurri legend appointed as Italy technical director

The pair will be entrusted with overseeing the long-term development of Italian football while playing a key role in shaping the national team’s future. Their first major responsibility will be appointing the next head coach of the Azzurri.

Lorenzo Bettoni and Adam Summerton analyse what the arrivals of Maldini and Leonardo could mean for Italy, the vision they are expected to bring, and the challenges they will face as they attempt to guide the national team into a new era.

Watch the full episode below

Dino Zoff has weighed in on the appointment of his former ‘pupil’ Paolo Maldini to the role of technical director in the Italy national team set-up, and says that he must be given the freedom to ‘follow his beliefs’ and make the changes that he sees fit. 

Zoff comments on Maldini’s Italy appointment: ‘A perfect appointment in terms of character’

Maldini has recently been confirmed as the new technical director of the FIGC, signing a four-year contract that will see him through until the end of the 2030 World Cup. 

He will be joined by former Milan teammate, ex Rossoneri and PSG director Leonardo, who will serve as an advisor. They will work in close collaboration with Giovanni Malago, who has recently been elected as the replacement for Gabriele Gravina as President of the FIGC.

This has been described as the beginning of a new era for Italy, who have failed to qualify for each of the last three editions of the FIFA World Cup. 

“It’s a choice that I fully understand,” said World Cup-winning captain and former Italy head coach Zoff in an interview with Il Resto del Carlino.

He continued: “Paolo has given so much for our football, to Milan in particular but also for the national team. He was also one of my players when I was in charge and I can’t forget his father Cesare either, who was Bearzot’s assistant when I won the World Cup in 1982. 

“Maldini is a perfect appointment in terms of character, charisma and competence. I also understand the choice of Leonardo as an advisor. It’s right that a leader surrounds himself with people he trusts. 

“It has to be the same assessment for the next coach that comes in. Maldini has to be free to follow his beliefs, without external interference. It won’t come from me, I don’t have a name to suggest for the role.”

Asked what advice he would give to Maldini if he had the chance, Zoff said: “It is essential that there is clarity on the roles and responsibilities. I don’t doubt Malago, I know him well. I hope that there is an awareness of where we are at the moment across the whole organisation surrounding the national team.”

Italy have a new President and a new technical director of the FIGC, which means that the appointment of a new head coach is up next on the agenda, and Monday’s reports indicate that Roberto Mancini remains the frontrunner for two key reasons. 

Why Mancini is the current favourite for the Italy national team head coach role

The Italy national team is undergoing a revolution of its staff at the highest levels: Giovanni Malagò has replaced Gabriele Gravina as President of the FIGC, Paolo Maldini has recently been appointed as technical director and President of Club Italia, Leonardo has joined as an advisor and now they turn their focus to finding a replacement for Gennaro Gattuso as CT.

For several weeks, Mancini and Antonio Conte have been tipped as the two leading candidates to step in as head coach of the Italy national team. Both have done the job before, both are vastly experienced at the highest levels and both are reportedly willing to return to the Azzurri set-up. 

Reports on Sunday indicated that Pep Guardiola has also re-emerged as a possibility following the appointment of Maldini as technical director. Other outsiders that have been mentioned include Andrea Pirlo and Carlo Ancelotti. 

However, reports from the Corriere dello Sport indicate that Mancini is still the favourite for the Italy national team job for two key reasons. 

First is his long-standing relationship and the fact that he reportedly sees eye-to-eye with newly-elected FIGC President Malagò. 

Secondly is the fact that a large number of the Italy national team players are keen for Mancini to return. The players reportedly pushed for Mancini to return after Luciano Spalletti left his position as head coach in 2025. 

The fact that he has also delivered a trophy for Italy in the past, the fact that he is keen to focus on the development of young talents and his general familiarity with Coverciano and the national team set-up are, of course, of benefit to Mancini as well. 

However, nothing is set in stone yet, and as Malagò has recently insisted: “There could also be a surprise” in the offing as well.

The big surprise for Italy is the arrival of Leonardo as a special advisor, as FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals it was ‘Paolo Maldini’s suggestion’ he be involved.

There were weeks of talks before Maldini finally accepted the role of technical director at the Italy camp, which has been created especially for him to give some structure and consistency to the Nazionale.

It was no secret that he was the first choice for new Federation chief Malagò, but an unexpected part of the announcement was the inclusion of Leonardo as an advisor.

Leonardo takes key role for Italy

“From the start, Paolo told me that he would be happy to bring in Leonardo as a consultant, because there is a lot of work to be done, it’s going to be a tough challenge,” Malagò told TG2 Post.

“I am pleased too, because I have great respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin.”

The Brazilian turns 57 in September and has had a deep bond with Italian football for many years.

He played for Milan from 1997-2001, then again at the end of his career in 2002-03.

After retirement, Leonardo started work with the Rossoneri as a talent scout, upgraded to technical director for 2008-09, and then as coach in 2009-10.

In a shock move, he then crossed over to city rivals Inter as coach in December 2010, where he remained until the end of the season.

Leonardo has since bounced around different jobs, including as Antalyaspor coach for just a few months in 2017.

He returned to Milan as technical director in 2018-19, where he worked alongside Maldini, and had two different spells at Paris Saint-Germain in 2011-13 and 2019-22.

Alessandro Costacurta claims the choice of Paolo Maldini as Italy technical director is ‘more important than the new coach’ of the Nazionale, while giving insight into the rapport with Leonardo.

After weeks of speculation and talks, the new role of technical director of the Italy squad has finally been filled with the announcement that Maldini will take over running the Azzurri.

Maldini ready to reshape Italy

“This is great news for Italian football, because we have brought in one of the most illuminated and sincere people in the sport,” his former Milan and Italy teammate Costacurta told Sky Sport Italia.

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò confirmed that Maldini was always his first choice for the position, and that now the technical director will be tasked with picking the new coach.

“Malagò made the best possible choice. In fact, picking Maldini is perhaps more important than choosing the new coach,” added Costacurta.

A surprising twist was the introduction of Brazilian Leonardo as a consultant, reuniting the pair who had worked together at Milan.

“They have different characteristics. Leo is more of a dreamer, a visionary, whereas Paolo is more practical, looks to his knowledge and instinct,” noted Costacurta.

“The best thing about them is that they listen to each other, despite starting from different ideas, and always manage to find a common solution.”

Leonardo spent much of his career in Italy, as at Milan he was a player, a talent scout, a coach and a technical director, while he also had one season as coach of rivals Inter.

His most recent job was that of assistant technical director at Paris Saint-Germain.

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo are the new technical leaders of the Italy national team set-up, and reports on Sunday claim that Pep Guardiola has again become an option for the vacant national team head coach role under the new leadership. 

Could Italy make a move for Guardiola under Maldini and Leonardo leadership?

The FIGC have recently confirmed that Maldini has been appointed as the federation’s new technical director and President of Club Italia on a four-year contract that will see him through until the end of the 2030 World Cup. He will be joined by his former Milan teammate, ex-Rossoneri and PSG director Leonardo as an advisor.

Maldini’s is a four-year project, and with unprecedented powers in his new role, he is expected to make widespread changes to the way that the national team and youth systems operate. 

However, up first on his agenda is the appointment of a new head coach. 

For weeks, the two frontrunners have been Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. Conte has the backing of the Serie A clubs, while Mancini has a long-standing relationship with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. 

Both have held the role previously, boast vast levels of management experience, but both come with their fair share of complaints as well: There are concerns that Conte might not be the best fit on a tactical level, while Mancini’s decision to leave Italy in order to join Saudi Arabia 2023 is still a bitter pill for some to swallow. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither Conte nor Mancini are ‘at the top of Maldini and Leonardo’s list’. Now, Guardiola has come back into the frame and the pink paper insists that the former Manchester City and Barcelona tactician is no longer a ‘fantasy’ option. 

The biggest issue with Guardiola is his salary, which La Gazzetta dello Sport claims was close to €25m gross during his final season with Manchester City in 2025-26. 

The Serie A clubs are expected to make a contribution towards the salary of the new head coach in order to help bring in a top-level CT, but even so, they would not be able to provide for a salary anywhere near the level that Guardiola was earning at The Etihad.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that there is still hope, but much will depend on the discussions that take place between the key figures in this new Italy project, i.e. Maldini and Leonardo. The fact that Guardiola is reportedly keen to step into international management at some stage of his career also helps Italy. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport also suggests that Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo could be among the alternative options if Italy decide against Conte, Mancini or Guardiola.

 

Fabio Capello believes that the FIGC have made the right call in appointing Paolo Maldini as its new technical director, is pleased to see Leonardo joining him as an advisor, but says that Roberto Mancini’s previous mistakes are too great to simply forget: ‘I’ve already said I would go with Conte’. 

Maldini has recently been appointed as the new technical director of the FIGC and has also been named the President of Club Italia on a four-year contract that will see him through until the end of the 2030 World Cup. He will be joined by former Milan teammate Leonardo, who will serve as an advisor. 

This is the beginning of a new era for the Italy national team following the departures of previous FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, head coach Gennaro Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon following the failure to get past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March. 

Gravina has recently been replaced by Giovanni Malagò, who, as of Saturday night, has made his first significant appointment in the Italy national team set-up by bringing in Maldini. Next up is a decision on a new head coach with Mancini, Antonio Conte and even potentially Pep Guardiola, again, among the frontrunners.

Capello has given his verdict on the recent appointment of Maldini, Leonardo and the potential next CT in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Capello: ‘Maldini was the first name on Italy’s list, he’s the person we need’

Capello is convinced about Maldini’s qualities, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Nobody better than him would be able to do it.” 

He continued: “I’m really happy about it. Paolo was the first name on their list and they’ve got him, he’s definitely the person we need. I’m happy for the national team and also for him. He’s serious, capable and attentive. He doesn’t speak, he works. He has ideas, he will have a well-defined project in his mind already.” 

Capello also gave his verdict on the appointment of Leonardo, who will serve as an advisor to Maldini. 

“He’s another guy who knows a lot about football,” said Capello. “If Maldini wanted him to be close by, bringing together a partnership that was born in Milan, it is because there is so much to do. 

“We have to recover on multiple different fronts, obviously starting with the young talents. They’ve chosen to take on a big commitment because they are clearly convinced by it. I will repeat: They are both serious, and more importantly, they understand football.”

What did Capello learn from watching Maldini up close during his time with Milan? 

“Everyone has seen what he did with the Rossoneri,” said Capello. “He’s not a yes man, he wants to have the freedom to change things, he has an exact plan and wants to make that happen.” 

And how important is it that Maldini is given full control to make the changes that he wants to?

“It’s very positive. Without that, he would have never accepted,” Capello insists. “Someone like him has to be free to put his ideas to good use. I’m sure that he won’t have made much of a fuss on an economic level, more so that he wants to be able to put the ideas he has in mind into practice, and in that way, he can be really useful.”

Milan won the Serie A title with Maldini as a director, but he ended up leaving the club at the end of the following season after a series of disagreements with the club ownership. 

Capello says: “We have to consider that relationship with the owners. It’s difficult when yo hit turbulence. You really have to understand the history behind that. The Scudetto victory was incredible, but it’s true that things got a bit complicated after that. I know Paolo has charisma, that he is a winner and has been a key figure everywhere he has been.”

Leonardo also has plenty of history with Milan, and also as a director at PSG. Asked if he is ‘too’ used to having money readily available to spend at those clubs, Capello said “But money has nothing to do with it. It’s all about ideas, not resources. 

“You have to be able to understand what is missing and what needs to happen, and then find the way to achieve those goals. Additionally, Leo is a great person, which doesn’t hurt. He and Paolo are coming in strong in their beliefs, ideas and skills. Theirs will be a clear project and I’m curious to see how it will develop when they present it, beginning with the next head coach.”

And who would Capello pick if he were in charge? 

“I’ve already said Conte, who has done well with the Azzurri, Mancini is also good, but leaving the national team up the creek a few days before a series of important matches is too big to forget.”

Greatness recognises greatness: Lionel Messi was photographed alongside Italy legend Roberto Baggio and gave him a match-worn shirt shortly after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup quarter-final victory over Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Messi and Baggio team up for iconic photograph

Baggio was in attendance in Kansas City as Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra-time to book their place in the World Cup semi-final for the third time in four tournaments. 

Baggio was photographed alongside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, widely recognised as the greatest player of all time, and was given one of his match-worn shirts after the full-time whistle. 

“Thank you, Leo, for your precious gift and for your affection. I love you lots, my friend,” wrote Baggio , all smiles in a picture posted to his Instagram profile.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Roberto Baggio (@robertobaggio)

Nicolo Zaniolo is not currently training with Udinese and has presented a medical certificate to explain his absence, but reports on Sunday claim that his ongoing salary dispute has not yet been fully settled either. 

Zaniolo not in training with Udinese and has not yet settled salary dispute

Zaniolo spent the 2025-26 season at Udinese, on loan from Galatasaray with an option to buy which has since been activated. The Bianconeri reportedly paid a fee of €5m to secure his signing on a permanent basis, and Galatasaray have kept hold of a 50% sell-on clause.

However, Zaniolo’s agent has recently explained that his client accepted a lower salary offer from Udinese last summer in order to push through a move in a race against time at the end of the summer transfer window. The feeling on the player’s side is that this salary does not reflect Zaniolo’s true value now that the transfer has been made permanent. 

The agent claimed that Udinese had agreed to sit down and discuss a new set of personal terms before making Zaniolo’s transfer permanent, but this has not happened and the player has been left feeling ‘bitterly disappointed’. 

Recent reports claimed that Zaniolo was earning an annual net salary of around €3m while he was still with Galatasaray, but that he accepted a cut to €1.2m per year in order to join Udinese last summer. 

Reports earlier this week claimed that a verbal agreement had been found with Udinese for an increase to €1.8m per season, but updates from Corriere dello Sport suggest that the new deal has not been entirely close and that Zaniolo is still open to moves elsewhere. 

Meanwhile, the player is not currently in pre-season training and has presented a medical certificate from his doctors in order to justify his absence.

 

Paolo Maldini has officially been appointed as the new technical director of the FIGC (Italian FA) and will be joined by former Milan teammate Leonardo as an advisor, the federation has confirmed. 

Official: Maldini appointed new FIGC technical director

The revolution of the Italy national team is well and truly underway: Former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resigned following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup at the end of March, as did head coach Gennaro Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. 

Giovanni Malagò was elected as the successor to Gravina as the new President of the FIGC in June, and he has since been hard at work to appoint a new technical director, who will play a key role in the imminent appointment of a new head coach. 

Legendary former Milan and Italy defender Maldini has been chosen as the new technical director of the FIGC, and according to recent reports, will have ‘unprecedented’ powers as he looks to rebuild a national team that has won four World Cups but has failed to qualify for the last three editions of the tournament. 

He, along with advisor Leonardo, have signed four-year contracts with the Italy national team set-up, which is intended to take them through until the end of the 2030 World Cup.

“With great pleasure, Giovanni Malagò, President of the FIGC, announces that Paolo Maldini has accepted the position of the federation’s technical director,” read a statement on the FIGC website.

“Giovanni Malagò will also entrust Paolo Maldini with the Presidency of Club Italia.” 

Malagò himself commented: “Maldini has always been my goal. I thought he would be the right person to oversee the technical sector of the FIGC, which doesn’t only involve the senior national team, but the entire supply chain of the youth national sides. 

“Over the last two weeks, we have talked about all the projects, going into specifics, and Paolo immediately told me that he would like to involve Leonardo as a consultant because of the demanding, challenging and time-consuming nature of the role. 

“I am happy, because I have deep respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin. It is a four-year commitment which must take us from now until 2030, the next World Cup, also passing through a European Championship.”

Up next for Maldini, Leonardo and Malagò is the appointment of a new head coach of the Italy national team. The latest reports indicate that Roberto Mancini is the current frontrunner, over challenger Antonio Conte.

Paolo Maldini has agreed to become the Italian federation’s new technical director, taking on a role created specifically for him as the FIGC begins the task of rebuilding the national team.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan and Italy legend has accepted the proposal of new federation president Giovanni Malagò after a long wait, signing a four-year contract on terms described as favourable to the FIGC.

Maldini will serve as technical director and president of Club Italia, a position without precedent in the federation, with sweeping responsibility that extends beyond appointing the next head coach to overseeing the entire national-team pathway.

In a surprise addition, Leonardo, his former Milan teammate and colleague, joins him in an advisory capacity.

Maldini and Leonardo to lead search for new Italy coach

The pair’s first task is the most pressing: identifying the man to lead the Azzurri into the next cycle. The names favoured by Malagò have been circulating for some time, Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini foremost among them, and it now remains to be seen whether they meet with the approval of the new technical leadership.

The appointment lands at the lowest ebb in the national team’s modern history. Italy have missed three consecutive World Cups, watching this summer’s tournament from home while former internationals queue up to lament the decline.

The project, as framed by the federation, is to relaunch the Azzurri with the next World Cup as the horizon, and in turning to Maldini, a man who lifted five European Cups and embodied Italian defending for a quarter of a century, the FIGC has reached for the most respected figure available.

For Maldini, it marks a return to the front line three years on from his acrimonious exit as Milan’s technical director, this time with the weight of a footballing nation’s expectations on his shoulders.

Mario Balotelli has made Inter the team to beat in Serie A next season, but the striker named Roma as his surprise pick to gatecrash the title race.

According to Sport Mediaset, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Balotelli, now with Al-Ittifaq in Dubai, predicted champions Inter to remain at the summit while singling out an outsider.

Asked whether Napoli, Milan and Juventus were genuine contenders, he replied: “Yes, but I want to add a surprise: Roma.” On the reigning champions, he was unequivocal: “Inter remain the team to beat.”

That verdict chimed with his admiration for former Inter teammate Cristian Chivu, now in the San Siro dugout.

“He was always switched on, even as a player, already a coach on the pitch, tactically ready and intelligent,” Balotelli said of the man he won the 2010 treble alongside.

Balotelli reveals near-Juventus move and backs Allegri at Napoli

The former Manchester City man also lifted the lid on a transfer that never materialised.

“Yes, after Manchester City. Then I ended up at Milan, so no regrets, it was a choice,” he said. “Of course, that Juventus side was strong.”

He had warm words, too, for Massimiliano Allegri as the coach starts afresh at Napoli. “Recently I’ve read a lot of criticism of him, but when I had him at Milan I liked him a great deal,” Balotelli said. “If he’s still that man, he’ll do well.”

There was a more sombre note when talk turned to the national side. Balotelli remains Italy’s last World Cup scorer, a mark unbroken since 2014, with the Azzurri absent from a third straight tournament this summer, and he took no pride in it.

“It’s nothing to be proud of, quite the opposite, it’s a sad thing,” he said. “Too many years have passed.”

Ciro Immobile has installed Inter as the team to beat in Serie A next season, pointing to the upheaval among their closest rivals as the champions’ biggest edge.

According to Noi Biancocelesti, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the former Italy striker, for now at Paris FC, sees continuity as the decisive factor.

“I think Inter are favourites. I’ve seen a lot of managerial changes and therefore a need to settle, whereas they’re already well-drilled,” he said. “Milan, Napoli and Juventus have to gear up to trouble them.”

That churn is hard to argue with. Milan are starting afresh under Ruben Amorim, Napoli have replaced Antonio Conte with Massimiliano Allegri, and Juventus continue to build around Luciano Spalletti.

Inter, by contrast, keep faith with Cristian Chivu and the spine that carried them to the Scudetto, a stability their pursuers cannot currently match.

Immobile weighs in on Italy’s Conte-or-Mancini call

Immobile also turned to the vacant Italy job, with the succession appearing to come down to Conte or Mancini. On that, he refused to split them.

“They’ve both done well. I remember we did well at the Euros with Conte too, after ending up in a group with Spain and Germany,” he said. “Mancini’s was the last winning Italy side, one that left a nice memory for the children of today too.”

Having played under both men with the Azzurri, Immobile is well placed to judge, and his verdict offers little to separate two of the frontrunners now being weighed to lead Italy’s rebuild.

Paolo Maldini still hasn’t decided whether to accept the FIGC offer to become Italy’s technical director, but Giovanni Malagò will only wait until tomorrow, according to Gazzetta.

Italian legend Maldini remains the FIGC’s main target for the technical director role.

Italy keep waiting for Maldini’s decision

It’s a key position in the rebuilding of the Azzurri, as the technical director will have an input in choosing the new head coach and oversee the activities of the national teams, from the youth teams to the first squad.

The meeting between Malagò and Maldini, which was scheduled for Friday, didn’t take place, according to Gazzetta, and the FIGC President is now waiting for the ex-defender’s final decision.

Malagò has stressed that he’ll make a final decision on the technical director by the end of the week, which means he’ll only wait until tomorrow for Maldini.

Gazzetta confirms that Malagò has already identified potential alternatives to Maldini, but he remains confident that the Milan legend will accept the offer, so he has not yet opened talks with other candidates.

Repubblica reported on Friday that Demetrio Albertini, Gianfranco Zola and Giuseppe Bergomi are seen as potential alternatives if Maldini rejects the FIGC proposal.

These Italian towns and cities combine affordability, health-care access, and lifestyle perks that retirees value most.

© <p>Boris Stroujko/Adobe Stock</p>

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani is the favourite to officiate the 2026 World Cup Final, although pundit Mark Clattenburg claims the decision ‘would upset a lot of people.’

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but did send a team of officials led by Mariani.

Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, Premier League refereeing expert Clattenburg claimed that the biggest job in world football will likely go to Mariani.

Mariani expected for 2026 World Cup Final

The 44-year-old already officiated the 2025-26 edition of the Conference League Final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the 2025 Under-20 World Cup Final that saw Morocco beat Argentina.

In this World Cup, Mariani was wielding the whistle for Saudi Arabia’s draw with Uruguay, Colombia’s victory over DR Congo, and most notably Brazil beating Japan in the Round of 32.

However, Clattenburg insists it would be a controversial choice because Italians have already officiated three World Cup Finals since 1978.

Italians are highly critical of their own referees, yet they are still considered the best in the business, as seen by Pierluigi Collina’s role as the chair of FIFA’s referees committee, and Roberto Rosetti having the UEFA equivalent position.

“I am hearing again that it could be an Italian referee,” said Clattenburg on the podcast.

“Infantino’s Italian, Collina’s Italian. Most of the power in the refereeing and wider football world is Italian.”

This is not true, because FIFA President Gianni Infantino is from Switzerland, although his parents did have Italian origins.

“FIFA needs to keep everybody happy, all of the six confederations, and if you look at it, in 2010 the referee was English, in 2014 Italian, in 2018 Argentinian and in 2022 Polish. If we go Italian again, are we saying there’s no other referees but Italian?” added Clattenburg.

“If this year an Italian referee gets the chance again, bearing in mind what’s happened with FIFA at this tournament, it would be a big shock to me.”

The other issue of course is that the referees in the final stages cannot be from any of the countries in the running for the trophy, so as Italy failed to qualify, it would make them the logical choice for the Final.

“It would upset a lot of people if we had another Italian referee,” added Clattenburg, who refereed the EURO 2016 Final.

“I am not saying an Italian doesn’t deserve it, but there’s an awful lot of talented referees that could referee that match.”

Horacio Elizondo, the referee of the 2006 World Cup Final, reveals Zinedine Zidane reassured him that the red card was correct but also asked: ‘Didn’t you see what happened before?’

July 9 2026, marked the 20th anniversary of Italy’s World Cup victory.

The Azzurri famously beat France on penalties in the final, with Zidane sent off just ten minutes before the penalty shootout for headbutting Materazzi.

Argentine official Elizondo, the referee of that match, described the moments that led to that decision and what Zidane told him before leaving the pitch.

That was also Zidane’s final game as a footballer, making his red card incident even more legendary.

“I saw Materazzi didn’t get up, so I stopped the play and started running towards him,” Elizondo told Gazzetta.

“While I was running, I asked the first assistant: ‘What happened?’ He said: ‘I didn’t see anything.’ Same for the second assistant. We didn’t know what had happened.

“At that moment, Medina Cantalejo, the fourth official, told me: Zidane headbutted Materazzi. In all this, I thought: These guys didn’t see anything, the same goes for the crowd, from TV I don’t know. The fourth official says it’s a red card, so I’ll give a red card, but I need to do something to help the world understand.”

What Zidane told referee after red card in 2006 World Cup final

Elizondo feared that the crowd in the stadium would not understand why he showed red to Zidane, so he pretended to discuss the matter with one of his assistants.

“I started talking to the assistant, pretending that he knew something. I wanted to make this ‘acting’ to make people understand [we were making a decision]. I told him: ‘Ten minutes to go, remain focused.’ Then I turned and gave the red card to Zidane,” Elizondo said.

“I was curious to see Zidane’s reaction and whether he would defend his position. When he saw me running with my hand in the back pocket, he started taking his captain’s armband off.

“So I thought, okay, it’s done, and I started to relax a bit. When I was about to write his name on the sheet, he touched my shoulder and said: ‘Calm, the red card is correct, but didn’t you hear or see what happened before?’ I said: ‘No, what happened?’ But he just turned his back and went out.”

Italy has not played a World Cup knockout game since 2014, having been eliminated in the group stages in 2010 and 2014, and failing to qualify altogether in 2018, 2022, and 2026.

According to La Repubblica, Paolo Maldini will decide today whether to accept the offer to become Italy’s technical director, but the outlook appears pessimistic so FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has identified three potential alternatives, including Gianfranco Zola.

Former Milan and Italy defender Maldini will sit down with FIGC President Malagò for one final meeting today, according to La Repubblica.

Maldini and Malagò set for showdown talks today

Maldini has an offer to become Italy’s technical director, and already talked to Malagò several times in recent weeks, including on Thursday.

According to Repubblica, however, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Maldini will ultimately accept Malagò’s proposal.

Malagò has already offered Maldini unprecedented power as Italy’s technical director, even allowing him to choose the new head coach.

According to Repubblica, however, the former defender is unlikely to accept the offer, primarily because of the impact it would have on his private life, as the role would require him to leave Milan and spend significant time working in Rome or at Italy’s training centre in Coverciano, Florence.

Maldini will inform Malagò about his final decision today, but it’s far from guaranteed that he will provide a positive answer.

According to Repubblica, another ex-Milan star, Demetrio Albertini, would jump to the top of Malagò’s list if Maldini rejects the offer, but Chelsea and Cagliari legend Gianfranco Zola and Inter and Italy legend Beppe Bergomi are also among the names being considered by the FIGC chief.

Brazilian legend Romario hits out at Carlo Ancelotti following Brazil’s World Cup elimination, even arguing that the Italian tactician ‘should be taken to court.’

Brazilians are still outraged by their national team’s World Cup exit at the hands of Norway.

The Seleçao was knocked out in the Round of 16 for the first time since Italia 90, and Ancelotti’s playing style hasn’t pleased many in the country, including former striker Romário.

Romario: Brazil should sack Ancelotti

“He [Ancelotti] cannot remain Brazil’s head coach,” Romario said via Sky Sport Italia.

“If I had been in charge of the federation, I would have walked into the dressing room, told him to go to hell and torn up his contract on the spot. The match against Norway was a disgrace. I’d even take him to court. Then we’ll see what happens, but he cannot stay.

“I couldn’t even understand what he was trying to do on the pitch,” Romario continued.

“He replaced Bruno Guimaraes and put Ederson wide. He did that because he hadn’t called up any other full-back. One full-back (Wesley) got injured, and he replaced him with a central midfielder. I know there aren’t many options, but surely there’s someone better than Ederson in that position.

“We had Dunga. He lost, and he left. We had Luiz Felipe Scolari; he won the World Cup, so he stayed. We had Tite. He lost, he stayed, and then he lost again,” Romario concluded.

“Now we have this damned Ancelotti, who has lost and will keep on losing. He made a lot of mistakes at this World Cup, and none of you in the media are saying a word. If he were a Brazilian coach, you would have torn him apart by now. But because he’s a foreigner, nobody says anything.”

 

Alessandro Del Piero has looked back on Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory, the Azzurri’s most recent triumph on the game’s biggest stage, reflecting on both the joy of that summer and the turmoil that swirled around it.

Speaking to Sky Sport to mark 20 years since the success, the former Juventus forward described a campaign coloured by emotion.

“That goal against Germany has a special flavour, it was everyone’s World Cup,” Del Piero said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Of those who lived it, dreamed it and wanted it: there’s always so much emotion. Now that I no longer play, it’s much easier to celebrate trophies, this one in particular. We keep the chat of that World Cup group alive.”

His reflections carried a note of realism about the present, too.

“Watching these World Cups, you understand that certain national teams have made great strides forward, and qualifying today is no longer so guaranteed,” he added, a pointed acknowledgement, given Italy have now missed three tournaments in a row.

Del Piero recalls staying ‘isolated’ from Juventus turmoil

The context in which Italy triumphed in 2006 was anything but straightforward. The Calciopoli scandal was engulfing Italian football that summer, with Juventus, Del Piero’s club and that of several teammates, at its centre, ultimately stripped of titles and relegated to Serie B in its aftermath.

“What was happening in the Juventus world was inexplicable, even for us inside it,” Del Piero recalled.

“Back then it was essential to stay focused. Within the group we lived very well, we were all focused and we didn’t want external news to harm our serenity. There was enormous tension, that World Cup was at times disarming for everything that was going on. But we were good at staying isolated from it, yes.”

That ability to compartmentalise, as Del Piero tells it, was central to one of the most remarkable triumphs in the country’s footballing history, a feat that looks all the more distant against the backdrop of the Azzurri’s current struggles.

It has been 20 years to the day since Italy lifted the World Cup trophy at Olympiastadion in Berlin, the most recent knock-out game that the Azzurri have won on the world stage, and we want to know, are there any current players that would make it into the squad that triumphed in Germany two decades ago?

Italy is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2006 World Cup final on Thursday, played on July 9. 

It was a star-studded side 20 years ago, one that kept the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Pippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta on the substitutes bench in the final; Francesco Totti, Luca Toni and a Fabio Cannavaro-Marco Materazzi centre-back pairing preferred by Marcello Lippi.

Comparing the Italy side that started the 2006 final to the Italy team that lined up in its most recent competitive match, the infamous World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March of 2026, it is difficult to argue that any current player would make it into the side became world champions 20 years ago. 

Italy’s line-up in the 2006 World Cup final: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Grosso; Camoranesi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Perrotta; Totti; Toni.

Italy’s line-up in the 2026 World Cup play-off final: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.

Gianluigi Donnarumma? Certainly not over Gianluigi Buffon. Sandro Tonali? Not over Andrea Pirlo. Riccardo Calafiori? Not over Fabio Cannavaro.

The more sensible question is whether any of the current Italy squad would have even been able to make it into the 23-man 2006 squad, rather than the starting XI.

Would there then be an argument for Donnarumma over perhaps Marco Amelia? A Tonali over a Simone Barone? 

Let us know in the comments below if there are any 2026 players who might have made the 23-man squad had they been playing 20 years ago, and if so, who?

Italy squad for the 2006 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Angelo Peruzzi, Marco Amelia.

Defenders: Cristian Zaccardo, Fabio Grosso, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Barzagli, Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, Massimo Oddo, Marco Materazzi.

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Mauro Camoranesi, Simeone Barone, Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo.

Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero, Luca Toni, Francesco Totti, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Filippo Inzaghi.

Italy’s most recent competitive squad in 2026

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi, Elia Caprile, Alex Meret.

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Riccardo Calafiori, Andrea Cambiaso, Diego Coppola, Federico Dimarco, Federico Gatti, Gianluca Mancini, Marco Palestra, Giorgio Scalvini, Leonardo Spinazzola.

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi, Manuel Locatelli, Niccolo Pisilli, Sandro Tonali.

Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Francesco Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, Matteo Politano, Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui, Gianluca Scamacca.

* This is the Italy squad that was named ahead of the 2026 World Cup play-off campaign. Italy have since played two international friendlies under interim head coach Silvio Baldini at the beginning of June, but took a squad of made up almost entirely of  U21 players that were well-known to the temporary CT.

• Read more: 20 years on from Italy’s World Cup triumph: Where are the victorious 2006 players now?
• Read more: The darker side of Italy’s July 9 World Cup celebrations

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has been spotted playing five-a-side with Roberto Mancini, who remains in the running for the Italy national team head coach role, but the head of the Italian FA still wants to appoint a technical director first, and claims that there could be a ‘surprise’ candidate on the cards. 

Malago plays five-a-side with Mancini and comments on Italy’s potential technical director

It is set to be a crucial few days for the future of the Italy national team set-up. Malagò has claimed that ‘this is the week for the technical director’ and has promised that there will be developments over the weekend. 

Italy are still without a head coach or a technical director following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso earlier this year. Delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon followed him and former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina out the door immediately after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Mancini and Antonio Conte are the two frontrunners to replace Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team and Paolo Maldini has been widely linked with the offer to take over as technical director. 

Maldini has not yet come to a definitive decision, but Malagò insists that it is only a matter of time before an appointment is made. He claims that there could still be a ‘surprise’ option on the cards, though. 

“This is the week for the technical director, I won’t change my stance on that. It’s Thursday and I hope to calm the nerves over the weekend, I’m working hard. There could also be a surprise,” said Malagò (via TMW).

Meanwhile, as per La Repubblica, Malagò has been out playing five-a-side football with Mancini at the Coppa dei Canottieri tournament, an event that Malagò claims to have taken part in for the last 50 years. 

Curiously, Malagò was on a team with Mancini, although this does not mean that he is the nailed-on favourite, as the Lega Serie A is said to prefer the idea of appointing Conte as Italy head coach.

 

Lorenzo Insigne has paid an emotional tribute to Sampdoria icon Gianluca Vialli, days after completing his move to the Serie B club.

Taking to social media on what would have been Vialli’s birthday, the newly-arrived forward honoured one of the most beloved figures in the Blucerchiati’s history.

Insigne, the former Napoli captain and Euro 2020 winner, joined Sampdoria this week on a permanent deal, and his first gesture in the club’s colours was a heartfelt one, a nod to the man who helped make the shirt he now wears so revered.

Insigne salutes Sampdoria legend Vialli on his birthday

“Today my thoughts go to Gianluca Vialli on the day of his birthday,” Insigne wrote.

“Having just arrived at this magnificent club, I feel even more the privilege and the responsibility of being part of the history you made immortal. You taught that courage, heart and love for this shirt are worth more than any trophy. Happy birthday, Legend. Your example will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone.”

Vialli remains an enduring symbol of Sampdoria’s greatest era, a talismanic striker who, alongside Roberto Mancini, fired the club to their historic Scudetto in 1990/91.

His death in January 2023, after a battle with illness, was mourned across the game, and his legacy in Genoa endures.

For Insigne, the words underline his awareness of what he has walked into, a proud club with a storied past, and a chance to write a new chapter of his own as he begins life in Serie B.

Several Italian stars have already completed high-profile transfers this summer, while the futures of many more remain up in the air. Football Italia discuss Italy players’ potential transfer moves this summer: should they stay at their clubs or move on?

Click here to subscribe to the official Football Italia YouTube channel.

As Italian football enters another important period of rebuilding ahead of the next major international tournaments, every transfer decision could have a significant impact on both club and country.

Kean, Scamacca and more: What should Italy players do in the summer market?

In this episode, Lorenzo Bettoni and Wayne Girard take a closer look at some of Italy’s most valuable players and debate whether they should stay at their current clubs or seek a move elsewhere.

From established stars to rising talents, they weigh up each player’s situation, discuss the best career path, and examine how those decisions could shape the future of the Azzurri.

Italy international Diego Coppola is set to make his move to Paris FC permanent from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported fee of €18m plus €2m add-ons, despite Lazio interest.

The defender had been linked with a potential return to Serie A for a move to Lazio, but he seemed content after a loan experience in France over the last six months.

Coppola set for Paris FC stay

Now multiple sources including Sportitalia and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano state that the agreement has been reached between all parties to buy him outright.

The cost of the operation should be circa €18m plus up to a further €2m in performance-related bonuses.

That is a significant profit for Brighton and Hove Albion, who had paid €11m to buy Coppola from Hellas Verona in the summer of 2025.

He made just nine appearances for the Seagulls, albeit contributing an impressive two assists from defence.

There were 14 games in the Paris FC jersey following the loan move in January 2026.

The 22-year-old centre-back has two senior caps for Italy, both earned in June 2025.

Italy have failed to qualify for the Under-20 World Cup, having been the Finalists in 2023, losing in a penalty shoot-out to Denmark after their exit from the Under-19 European Championship.

The Azzurrini had started so strong and been among the favourites to win the tournament in Wales.

Italy U19 crumble in Wales

They beat Serbia 2-0 in the opening group game, but were then held to a 0-0 draw by Croatia and lost the final match 1-0 to Ukraine on Sunday.

By finishing third in the group, Italy still had the opportunity to earn a place in the Under-20 World Cup in 2027.

They faced off with Denmark in this afternoon’s play-off, which could not find a breakthrough even after extra time at 0-0.

It went to penalties, where Massimo Pessina saved from Alfred Gothler, but then Andrea Natali was denied too.

It went to sudden death, where Destiny Elimoghale blasted over the bar, allowing Simon Stuker to win it for Denmark.

Marco Materazzi says that it is still painful to discuss the decline of the Italy national team on the international stage over the last 20 years, but argues that if the Azzurri had qualified for the 2026 World Cup, they would have still found it difficult against the likes of Cape Verde, who took reigning champions Argentina to extra-time in the round of 32.

Materazzi on Italy’s downfall and potential struggles at 2026 World Cup

It has been a long summer for Italy supporters, who have had to watch a third consecutive World Cup with no Azzurri involvement. Despite the fact that the tournament has been expanded to 48 teams in 2026, which brought an additional three European qualification spots, Italy were still unable to qualify. 

There have been some complaints that the newly-formatted World Cup benefits sides from South America, Africa and Asia more than it does nations from Europe in terms of the number of qualification spots up for grabs. 

However, speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi hushed those complaints and argues that Italy still would have found it difficult against the likes of Cape Verde at this tournament. 

“I don’t want to get into political speeches, I’ll try to make a football one and I will turn that question around: How much did Argentina struggle against Cape Verde? And if Italy had been there instead of Argentina, do you think they would have struggled any less?,” Materazzi pondered. 

“And why was it so difficult against Cape Verde? Because they came onto the pitch not just trying to defend, but to try and win by playing a real game with clear footballing ideas and quality. They played to upset like us in 2006, and Germany came to realise that.”

And as for Italy’s downfall since winning the World Cup in 2006, Materazzi says: “We’ve spent that time doing too little more than anything else. Football didn’t stop in July 2006: We should have run further ahead but instead, we fell behind, and not just because of the players and coaches. 

“It’s a long explanation, and these days it makes me sad to face up to it.”

Wednesday’s reports claim that Milan and Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini is closing in on a decision to return to the Italy national team set-up in the role as technical director. 

Maldini close to giving his ‘yes’ to Italy

Newly-appointed FIGC President Giovanni Malago is looking to rebuild the management of the Italy national team following the departures of Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon after the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup earlier this year. 

Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini remain the frontrunners for the role of head coach, but reports over the last few weeks have made it clear that Malago wishes to appoint a new technical director before making a final decision on the next CT. 

Maldini has been touted as Malago’s favourite for the position of technical director, but the Milan legend has not yet given his go-ahead. 

However, according to Wednesday’s updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini is now closing in on giving his approval to joining the Italy set-up. The FIGC are reportedly optimistic, while Malago feels that he will have a final decision by the end of the week, if not by the end of the weekend. 

Maldini, meanwhile, is said to be excited by the prospect of having near-full control over the Italy national team and the fact that he will be able to have a major impact on the development of the nation’s youth talents. 

Sky Sport Italia reports that Paris FC have outbid Fiorentina with their latest offer for Italian winger Luca Kolesho, but the Tuscans have warned Burnley that they won’t engage in a bidding war with the French club.

Fiorentina risk missing out on Burnley winger Koleosho as Paris FC have reportedly submitted a proposal higher than the Tuscans’.

Koleosho: latest on potential Fiorentina transfer

Fiorentina had made a €11m offer to Burnley last week and held a new round of talks with the English club on Monday.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Burnley informed Fiorentina that they had received a higher offer from Paris FC, where Koleosho spent the second half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan.

Fiorentina, however, have decided not to enter a bidding war with the French club, as they aim to sign Koleosho only on their terms.

At this stage, it’s unclear whether the Italian winger wants to move to Florence or return to his former club, but in any case, the Viola won’t bid more than €11m.

In the meantime, Fiorentina have welcomed Radu Dragusin from Tottenham, with the ex-Genoa defender landing in Italy on Tuesday to undergo medical tests and sign his contract at the Stadio Franchi.

Koleosho made his senior Italy debut this past June under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini.

Former Sampdoria and England defender Des Walker believes former teammate Roberto Mancini was the best teammate he’s had, backing him for a return as the Italy national team coach.

Des Walker backs former teammate Roberto Mancini to return as the Azzurri head coach because his great understanding of the game.

However, many who have criticized a potential return to the national team for Mancini. But former Nottingham Forest defender believes that you need a manager who has clear ideas who knows what he wants.

Furthermore, Walker stated that Mancini is the most talented teammate he has ever had, adding that his awareness was unbelievable.

Walker made these statements in an interview with the The Italian Football Podcast, at an online event hosted by BetVictor.

Des Walker Backs Roberto Mancini Italy Return: “Understands The Game Really Well”

“He understands the football game. He is his own man. He does things his own way and has his views. He has managed Italy before so they know his style, they know his views, they know his ways.

“If they are gonna employ him again then that’s what they want. Very rarely do you get a national team manager that gets a re-run. So you’ve had a test of him already. That’s must be what they want” Walker began.

“But having played with Robby he understand the game really well. He knows what he wants. he knows how he wants to play. He’s not scared to go against anybody or to implement what he wants.

“I think you need that as a manager. You need one manager and you need him to go his way.

“Between me and you I think he was already the manager when I was at [Sampdoria]” Walker continued.

Des Walker – Mancini “The Most Talented Teammate I’ve Had By A Long Way”

“He was the most talented [teammate I ever had] by a long way. The things he did in training defied logic. I played with Nigel Clough.

“He had an a great awareness of everyone around him. However, Mancini was still 30% better. Most of the times he never looked. He just knew where every player was.

“His skill-level was another level. In training it was difficult enough but in games, some of the things he did was frightening” Walker concluded.

Des Walker played one season in the Serie A at Sampdoria where he shared a dressing room with Roberto Mancini. Walker joined the Blucerchiati ahead of the 92/93 season featuring 32 games across all competitions.

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