Fabio Grosso's dismissal by Fiorentina raises further questions over Paolo Maldini's shortlist for the Italy head coach position, with the former Viola boss previously considered alongside Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi.
Fiorentina parted ways with Grosso after he oversaw three consecutive Serie A defeats, bringing Paolo Vanoli back just three months after his departure.
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Grosso completed his first full Serie A season as a coach in 2025-26, leading Sassuolo to a comfortable survival and convincing Fabio Paratici to give him a chance at the Stadio Franchi.
Regarded as one of the most exciting young coaches in Serie A, Grosso had also caught the attention of ex-Italy technical director Maldini, who retained his role for just two weeks in July.

#italy #coach #paolo #florence

Alessandro Florenzi believes Paolo Maldini could have transformed Italian football had he been given the room to work, and says the federation should have committed to him fully.
With quotes via MilanNews.it, the former Milan and Roma defender discussed his old club captain's brief spell as Italy's technical director in an interview with Repubblica, describing the decision to walk away as characteristic.
"Paolo needs to do things his own way," Florenzi said. "If he takes on a responsibility, he does it 100 per cent. He felt the trust ebbing away, and out of consistency he took a step back. He talked about Cruyff, about how he changed Spanish football. He wanted to do the same in Italy and, for me, he could have managed it."
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Paolo Maldini of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 1, 2022 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Asked whether Maldini and Leonardo had wanted Andrea Pirlo as national team coach, Florenzi did not confirm it directly but defended the thinking. "De Rossi and Grosso were the other names in play, with similar CVs to Andrea," he said. "Any choice would have been criticised. But perhaps they had seen further ahead. If you choose Maldini, you close your eyes and go straight ahead with him."

#florenzi #paolo #empoli #Football

Serie A side Milan are still keen on making an attacking signing and Midtjylland star Dario Osorio has emerged as a target.
MilanNews offer the news and also look at some vital reasons why the 22-year-old is a target.
One key factor is the involvement of Simon Kjaer, who had a spell with the Rossoneri and currently finds himself as a member of the board at Midtjylland. He has already given interviews in Italy about a host of players at the Danish side and even name-dropping Osorio.
This could allow Milan a working connection that can work in their favour.
Another reason is that Osorsio isn't just a player who is liked now. He has been followed for a long time. He was first brought to the Rossoneri desk in January 2023, when Paolo Maldini was still at the club and he even tried to bring him to the San Siro.

#midtjylland #osorio #even #dario

The transfer market is reaching boiling point while institutional football goes through turbulent times. This August 5 comes loaded with top-level meetings in Madrid and Morocco, tensions in Vallecas, moves involving young South American prospects heading to Serie A, and an emotional tribute that has broken the hearts of both Barça and Milan fans alike.
FC Barcelona sporting director Deco has urgently traveled to Madrid to hold a summit meeting with Julián Álvarez's camp. The Blaugrana club is looking to draw up the final strategy and try to sign the Argentine striker before the market closes, with the player's own approval to push for his departure.
Franco Mastantuono's move to Fiorentina is on the verge of being unblocked. Real Madrid views a loan or a transfer with an option to buy for the Argentine gem to a top-level Serie A club very positively, in order to guarantee his development in a highly competitive league.
Milan turned out in force for the final and emotional farewell to legend Franco Baresi. Thousands of fans packed the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio for a funeral where historic figures such as Maldini, Van Basten, and Baggio said goodbye through tears and applause to the eternal Rossonero captain.
Gianni Infantino has called an emergency meeting in Rabat alongside top FIFA executives and figures such as Arsène Wenger. Pressure is mounting on the organization's president following disagreements with member ****** ociations over commercial plans and the global calendar.

#madrid #franco #market

Cagliari are reportedly searching the market for a new right wing-back, as Lazio's Romano Floriani Mussolini emerges as a potential solution.
The 23-year-old is a Lazio youth product who rose to prominence following his Serie B exploits at Juve Stabia in 2024/25. Last season, the Roma native had his first Serie A experience at Cremonese, but he couldn't lock down a starting role. Following their relegation, the Lombardians opted against exercising their option to buy the player, who rejoined the Biancocelesti's ranks.
This may have been a blessing in disguise for Floriani Mussolini, who is now enjoying an impressive pre-season as part of Gennaro Gattuso's camp and is expected to play his football in Italy's top flight once more.
According to Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Cagliari have added Floriani Mussolini to their wing-back shortlist. Last season, the Isolani had Marco Palestra patrolling their right flank. The youngster cemented himself as one of the best players in Serie A and has since returned to Atalanta, who subsequently sold him to Chelsea for €55 million
Therefore, the Rossoblu need a new right-back/right wing-back, and Floriani Mussolini has been targeted, although he's not the only man on their shortlist. Di Marzio also reveals that the club is close to acquiring Atalanta's Daniel Maldini, who spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Lazio.

#serie #lazio

Juventus talent Vasilije Adzic will join Sassuolo on loan with option to buy, plus a counter-option for the Bianconeri, so Cagliari instead look to Daniel Maldini of Atalanta.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 22: Filip Kostic #18 and Vasilije Adzic #17 of Juventus FC walk onto the pitch during warms up prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Juventus FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 22, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Sky Sport Italia are confident that the deal is done for Sassuolo to take Adzic on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
However, the Bianconeri are determined to keep control of his career, so have retained a crucial buy-back option in the contracts.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Vasilije Adzic of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

#juventus #sassuolo #bianconeri #june

Milan legend Paolo Maldini pays tribute to Franco Baresi: 'You protected me when I was a child, guided me as a young man, and inspired me as an adult. You were the greatest footballer I have ever had the honour of playing alongside.'
World football mourns the death of legendary Milan and Italy defender Baresi, who has died at the age of 66.
Among those paying tribute to Baresi was ex-Milan defender Maldini, a former teammate of Baresi with the Rossoneri and Italy national team.
"Hi Franco. Today I feel the same way I did whenever, for any reason, you couldn't take the field alongside us. How will we go on without you, Captain?" Maldini wrote on Instagram.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 21: (L-R) Stefano Eranio, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Demetrio Albertini attend 'Attaccante Nato' Book Launch held at Sala Buzzati on April 21, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

#Milan #franco

AC Milan have announced the passing of club great Franco Baresi at the age of 66.
Regarded as one of the greatest defenders to have graced the game, Baresi spent his entire career with Milan to etch his name into club folklore.
He won sixSerie A ***** les and three European Cups during a golden era for the Rossoneri, with his 719 appearances second only to Paolo Maldini.
Baresi was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 1989 after Milan's success in Europe, and won 81 caps for the Italian national team.
His performance in a losing effort during the 1994 World Cup final remains vivid in the tournament's history, having returned from a knee operation after only 25 days to feature.

#franco #paolo

Claudio Ranieri wants people to 'fall back in love with football' in Italy by reforming academies as technical director of Club Italia. 'We are good at team tactics, other nations teach individual technique.'
The former Roma, Chelsea and Leicester City coach has once again come out of retirement, taking the job as President and technical director of Club Italia, effectively overseeing the various levels of the ****** onale and academies all over the country.
The position had gone to Paolo Maldini under three weeks ago, but that experience was cut short by a difference in opinion on who to hire as coach.
Now Roberto Mancini is back after three years as the CT, presented in a joint press conference with Ranieri.
Technical Director Claudio Ranieri and coach Roberto Mancini pose with the Italy jersey (azzurri)

#director #coach #mancini

Dubai United 'fully support' Andrea Pirlo and insist the Italian tactician is 'fully committed' to the Club after failing to get the Italy job.
The former midfielder was Paolo Maldini's favourite candidate to become Italy's new head coach after the ex-Azzurri technical director failed to secure agreements with either Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola.
Political protests over Pirlo's role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company eventually led to the ex-midfielder not getting the job, while Maldini and Leonardo resigned, feeling that their decision-making autonomy was no longer present.
Pirlo's Club Dubai United have now released an official statement on the Italian tactician's future, confirming their full trust in him: "Over the past few days there has been significant speculation in the media regarding Andrea Pirlo's future, including a number of reports that do not reflect the facts," the Club said.

#Dubai #pirlo

ROME (AP) — Roberto Mancini has once again been tasked with revitalizing an Italy team in crisis, almost exactly three years after he bolted on the national team.
Italian soccer federation Giovanni Malagò announced Mancini as the new Italy coach on Tuesday, adding that Claudio Ranieri will become the new technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down the previous day — just 16 days after being appointed.
The 61-year-old Mancini led the Azzurri to the European Championship **** le in 2021 but shockingly resigned as Italy coach in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia's national team two weeks later.
"Time was running out … I believed the person who should become the new coach of Italy is Roberto Mancini, for a whole list of reasons," Malagò said. "There will be a press conference tomorrow with both Claudio Ranieri and Roberto Mancini."
The Italian national team is in crisis after failing for a third straight time to qualify for the World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April.

#italian

Neither Guardiola, nor Ancelotti, nor Pirlo. The new coach of the Italian national team will be Roberto Mancini.
At 61, he returns to the role four years after being fired.
Mancini coached the Italy national team from 2018 to 2022. He won the Euro 2020 **** le (in 2021), but was fired a year later after the loss to North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup playoff.
Mancini's last job was as coach of Al-Sadd of Qatar, which he recently left.
In addition to Mancini, Italy also appointed former coach Claudio Ranieri and Gabriele Oriali to replace Paolo Maldini and Leonardo.

#mancini #national #ancelotti

According to Il Corriere della Sera, Paolo Maldini's decision to appoint Andrea Pirlo as Italy's new head coach is not supported by everyone in the FIGC, while Roberto Mancini is upset with President Giovanni Malagò.
Former Milan and Juventus midfield star Pirlo is set to be appointed as the new Italy coach, with an official statement from the Italian Federation expected in the coming days.
The decision has been made by new technical director Maldini and his advisor Leonardo and will be approved by FIGC President Malagò. Maldini has been given the power to choose the new coach after being appointed as technical director just two weeks ago.
Corriere della Sera confirms that Malagò's favourite candidate was Mancini, yet Maldini and Leonardo had the final word and decided to go for Pirlo instead.
AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

#pirlo #Maldini #figc #president

Some of football's most celebrated players stayed loyal to a single club for their entire career.
The Premier League's most-decorated player, Ryan Giggs, is one, so too AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, Roma's Francesco Totti and ****** nal defender Tony Adams.
Perhaps some current players such as Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden might join them too.
But there are players at the other end of the spectrum, those who can look back on a lengthy list of employers, and sometimes while their career is still in its infancy.
The most famous current example is Jhon Duran, the former Aston Villa striker joining the seventh club of his career at the age of just 22 last week.

#ryan #giggs #Maldini

Andrea Pirlo is likely to be announced as the new coach of Italy on Monday or Tuesday, although the details have been agreed for a four-year contract with salary of €1.5m.
Multiple sources have had no doubts since this afternoon that Pirlo will be the new Azzurri boss, as he was next on the list after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the proposal.
This was because Ancelotti had only recently signed a new deal with Brazil, and Guardiola is eager for more time with his family after 10 years at Manchester City.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – APRIL 23: Head Coach Andrea Pirlo of Fatih Karagumruk looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk SK at NEF Stadyumu on April 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Pirlo accepted immediately when contacted by technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, who all know each other well from their time at Milan.

#fatih #coach

Italy are still on the look-out for a new head coach and could also bring in a new figure to act as the bridge between the youth and senior sides after learning that Gianluigi Buffon will not be returning to the Azzurri set-up.
FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo are still on the search for a new head coach for the Italy national team after learning that neither Pep Guardiola nor Carlo Ancelotti will be taking on the job. Friday’s reports indicate that Andrea Pirlo is the new frontrunner for the vacant CT role.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported on Friday that Buffon has rejected the opportunity to return to the Italy set-up.
Buffon had joined the national team group shortly after his retirement in 2023 and had served as delegation chief until Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of May 2026, after which he resigned along with Gennaro Gattuso and former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
However, under the new leadership of Maldini and Giovanni Malagò, Buffon had been offered the opportunity to return in a more ‘hands-on’ role within the Club Italia set-up.

#figc #learning

Lorenzo Bettoni and Richard Hall return with the latest edition of the Football Italia LIVE Show, and the focus is on Pep Guardiola rejecting the Italy job.
Click here to subscribe to the official Football Italia YouTube channel
As widely anticipated, Pep Guardiola has rejected the opportunity to become Italy’s next head coach, ending days of speculation linking the ex-Manchester City boss with the Azzurri bench.
The decision represents a major setback for Italian football, with many supporters hoping Guardiola’s arrival could usher in a new era following recent disappointments on the international stage.
Attention now turns to Paolo Maldini, who faces the crucial task of identifying the right man to lead the national team into the next World Cup cycle. While several names have already been discussed behind the scenes, one candidate currently stands above the rest.

#bettoni #richard

Pep Guardiola has turned down the Italian national team’s offer to become their head coach, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Catalan manager thought it over for several days before saying no. Among the reasons were his desire to take some personal time and his refusal to lead a project without being involved on a daily basis one hundred percent.
“Thank you, it’s an honor, but at this moment I don’t feel up to it,” the Spanish coach replied in the early hours of yesterday morning to the proposal put to him by Maldini and Leonardo.
The FIGC was offering him a long-term project, with its sights set on Euro 2028 and the 2032 World Cup. Guardiola, who left Manchester City after a decade in charge, did not even get as far as discussing the financial terms.
With Guardiola’s no now on the table, the Italian federation has activated its plan B. Andrea Pirlo now appears to be the leading candidate to take over the Azzurri bench.

#take #catalan

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has talked to former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti about taking over the crisis-hit national team.
It hopes to announce the new Italy coach within the week, with the Azzurri still reeling after failing for a third straight time to qualify for the World Cup.
Former Italy and AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini was named as the federation’s new technical director at the start of the month and was present at a meeting with the Serie A clubs on Thursday, along with new FIGC president Giovanni Malago and special adviser Leonardo.
“Honestly, we can’t give news about what’s happening. You’ve identified one of our targets,” Maldini said when asked about Guardiola in a news conference after the meeting.
“We can’t hide that we also talked with Carlo Ancelotti before talking with Pep. Honestly, it seemed right to start with the best in the world, to see their general availability.”

#guardiola #ancelotti #federation #former

Pep Guardiola is reportedly seeking a €20m-a-year salary to take over as head coach of the Italy national team, and the latest updates indicate that the former Manchester City boss will give a definitive answer by the early stages of next week.
Guardiola left City after 10 trophy-laden seasons earlier this summer and has emerged as one of the dream candidates to take over as the new head coach of the Italy national side. Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo are the other names currently being linked with the vacant CT role.
Recently-appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to hold direct talks with Guardiola last weekend. Thursday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the Spaniard wants €20m-per-year to take over as Italy head coach.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has recently admitted that the federation would be willing to ‘make exceptions’ for candidates at a certain level, even name-checking the former City and Barcelona tactician, but the Italy national team are unlikely to be able to offer a potential new head coach any more than €10m per season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts as a montage of his time at Manchester City is played on the LED screen inside the stadium following the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

#guardiola #coach

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 ***** istance if called upon: “If Paolo called me, I would listen to someone like him.”
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 ***** istance 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.

Club football is demanding the spotlight on a day of busy offices, pre-seasons underway, and boardrooms burning up.
The ball starts rolling. Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona officially begin their pre-seasons today. With all eyes on the new 2026/27 campaign, the three La Liga giants are starting medical check-ups and the first training workloads ahead of a demanding season.
Joan Laporta has made a big splash in the market. When asked about Atlético de Madrid's interest in Julián Álvarez, the Barcelona president warned: "We're not going to dance to anyone else's tune, we set the rhythm." He also officially confirmed the signing of Karim Adeyemi and Raphinha's stay, while keeping some uncertainty over Ferran Torres.
Paolo Maldini is taking on a historic mission. One of the living legends of defensive football has been named the new technical director of the Italian Federation (FIGC). His main objective is to rebuild the foundations of the Azzurra and return the team to the absolute elite after the heavy blow of missing their third consecutive World Cup.
A spectacular twist in the Premier League. Switzerland international Johan Manzambi, the undisputed breakout star of the World Cup, is one step away from becoming a new player for Unai Emery's Aston Villa. The Birmingham club have managed to **** the signing from Newcastle when negotiations had seemed all but done.

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.
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.

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.
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.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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.

Make us dream again
20 years since the Azzurri triumph in Berlin
From Italy's World Cup celebrations to Malagoo's mission, the yes from Maldini, then Conte to return to being one of the greats
Seeing the star
Amorim, what a presentation

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.
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.
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Paolo Maldini of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 1, 2022 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Working as a ballboy for AC Milan in 1991, an 11-year-old Enzo Maresca watched the action unfold on the pitch at the San Siro for many years while starting in the club’s youth system.
Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi – who combined to play over 1,600 times for Rossoneri – guarded the defence, while Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten created history in midfield and attack.
It was, and still stands as, one of the greatest teams to ever grace the beautiful game; one that won four Serie A **** les, a UEFA Champions League, three UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, and three Supercoppa Italiana **** les under Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello.
“I was a ballboy at that time. With Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard – the three Dutch players – AC Milan was a fantastic team. Probably (in) Italy, in terms of clubs, (they) were the best (in the) country at that moment,” Maresca said two years ago.
What could Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City look like?

A captain is required
Italy pressing for Maldini
The former Milan man would have full power over the technical and youth sectors. Conte, a four-year offer on the table to get through to the World Cup
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JFM SPORTS
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La iconicidad de vestir una camiseta de fútbol.
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Juanfer81
Sportsnet
#JFMSPORTS #Linkedin #Iconicidad #VestirunaCamisetadeFútbol #Maldini #Maier #Totti #Puyol #Baresi

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