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

Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, as widely expected, following the departure of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced.
Zidane, 54, had long been viewed as the leading candidate for the role and had been waiting for an opportunity to take charge of the national team for several years.
He will replace Deschamps, whose tenure began in 2012 and ended earlier this month after France finished fourth at the World Cup.
Deschamps guided France to 2018 World Cup glory and the final four years later.
"For me, it's an immense joy... being able to become the coach of this French team. I don't have any other words," said Zidane, who takes over on a four-year deal that runs until the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

#france #World #years #four

The French Football Federation have called the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as a meeting of a legend in the history of Les Bleus
Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of theFrance national team, returning to the dugout for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
The 54-year-old replaces Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year reign concluded after this summer's World Cup.
Zidane has signed a deal until the 2030World Cup and will lead a talented France side into the next major tournament cycles.
The three-time Champions League winner is regarded as, arguably, France's finest ever footballer and French Football Federation chief Philippe Diallo has called his appointment a landmark moment for the country.

#french #Football #appointment #year

Zinédine Zidane is the new manager of the French national team after signing a contract until 2030.
France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup under Didier Deschamps, losing 6-4 in a remarkable third-place play-off to England after having been defeated at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Spain.
"I've often said it: there's nothing greater than the French National Team," the former player said on his appointment.
"It is therefore a joy and, of course, a great source of pride to become the manager of this French National Team. It's also a responsibility. I want to thank [FFF] President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the fourteen years of service from Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my coaches.
"Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French National Team."

#national #team #didier #england

As expected, Zinédine Zidane has been appointed coach of the French men' national team in succession of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) has said.
FFF president Philippe Diallo named Zidane "a legend of French football" in a news conference and said that Zidane has signed a contract until 2030.
Zidane, 54, won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player of a team captained by Deschamps. His only coaching experience are two terms at Real Madrid 2016-2018 and 2019-2021 during which he won three Champions Leagues and two LaLigas.
"I've said it many times: there's nothing bigger than the French national team. So it's a pleasure and, of course, a great honour to become coach of this French national team. But it's also a responsibility," Zidane said in a federation statement.
The three-time World Player of the Year had long been considered the top contender to take over from Deschamps who stepped down after 14 years in charge after the recent World Cup.

#zidane #player #coach

France now has the leader it had dreamed of for years. The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially appointed Zinédine Zidane as the new national team manager.
The 54-year-old coach succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup following 14 years in charge of the team.
Zidane's challenge will be to match, or at least come close to, Deschamps' achievements, after he led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final in 2022.
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane now takes charge of the country he captained to both the World Cup and European Championship ***** les. His managerial résumé is just as impressive, with three consecutive Champions League ***** les and two La Liga crowns won across his two spells in charge of Real Madrid.
Zidane's first challenge will be to lead France in the UEFA Nations League before turning his focus to qualification for Euro 2028, with a squad that still boasts top-level talent such as Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and William Saliba.

#deschamps #league #titles

'Briu' is a Cape Verdean Creole word that can mean grit, determination, drive, focus or energy. That's how national team forward Sandra Soares-Martins describes the mood in camp as her side prepares for its first-ever WAFCON match.
But such is the rise of the country's national teams as a whole within the past decade, 'briu' could be used to describe the Cape Verdean Football Federation.
While the men's side were making history competing in a first-ever senior World Cup, the women's team were busy putting the final touches to their preparations to create yet more history for the island nation.
The newly expanded 16-team tournament is underway in Morocco after kicking off Sunday, July 26, following a delay from March.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams after qualification ended. Before that decision, Cape Verde secured their place in Morocco by winning two-legged ties against Guinea and Mali.

#morocco #briu #side #ever

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

Got coffee and toast ready? We'll take care of the rest with five very football-heavy stories that could shape Saturday's conversation.
Let's get started!
PSG are not the only European giant keen on signing the Leipzig winger. He is valued at around €90 million.
Los Blancos will battle for Rodri and for Diomandé.
The Italian Football Federation approached Ancelotti, then Guardiola, but in the end they are going to hand the national team job to Andrea Pirlo.

#Football

Several Jewish Michigan Democrats admitted Tuesday they or people they know will be backing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in the upcoming election if Abdul El-Sayed becomes the Democratic nominee.
Ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election, Jewish donors spoke with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) about the possibility of El-Sayed, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel, becoming the party's nominee for the Michigan Senate seat.
JTA reported that several prominent Jewish fundraisers have already begun to see Rogers as a "hedge" and are planning to raise funds for him against El-Sayed.
Michigan Democrat Accuses Abdul El-sayed Of 'Deeply **** ist Attacks' On Female Political Rivals
"There are leaders in our Jewish community who are longtime, lifelong Democrats and Democratic fundraisers who are very concerned with where their party's going," said Dennis Bernard, Jewish Federations of North America national chair of government relations.

#election

Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to become Italy’s head coach due to family reasons, the Press ***** ociation understands.
Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed earlier this week that talks had taken place with the former Manchester City manager.
But Spaniard Guardiola, who left City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League ***** les and the Champions League during a trophy-laden 10-year reign, now appears to be out of the running.
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo are other candidates for the vacancy.

#city

Jürgen Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke has been handed a position in the new Germany set-up under the former Liverpool boss.
The 55-year-old will be responsible "for strategy, development and innovation," Klopp told his unveiling as men's head coach in Frankfurt on Friday.
Kosicke has been at Klopp's side for around two decades. He will count as "an external consultant" and will not be a German Football Federation staff (DFB) member.
Klopp said he needed his close confidant because although playing good football is a priority, "we must also change lots of other things. We need people who can do this alongside me."
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf added: "It was quite clear that the two are so closely intertwined that they can only be had as a package."

#kosicke #marc

After the failure and subsequent sacking of Julian Nagelsmann, Germany had to go out and get a new coach for the national team. Thankfully, unlike some other footballing nations, the Germans had a top level coach just sitting around waiting for the opportunity.
Jürgen Klopp is now the new head coach of the DFB, and he plans to make changes. In his first press conference, he elaborated on what things will look like with him in charge.
“As a coaching team, we want to present a complete package,” said the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC manager (via iMiaSanMia). “I’ve never been a coach who just shows up, puts the players through their paces, and then goes home when training is over. I’ve always taken care of things that happen at the club. Now it’s a federation, now it’s a country. I’ve always felt responsible at the club I was working for. I feel a responsibility to everyone who’s a football fan in this country. And that means doing the job as well as possible.”
“I want to get very involved in the structures,” he explained (via iMiaSanMia). “Whoever brings in Jürgen, gets Jürgen. Everyone is happy today, but I’m not sure if that will be the case every day. I want to improve everything. I want to present the German national team in a positive light, so that we can eventually get back to the top. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Well, if there is anyone who can fix Germany, it’s Klopp. Fans eagerly await this new era of the DFB.

#team

Five things newly hired boss Jurgen Klopp must do to revitalise Germany before Euro 2028 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, the start of the 2030 World Cup cycle is of the utmost importance to all national team federations that are beginning to shift gears and eye the next four years of growth.
However, some federations face a bigger climb than others, and few more so than Germany, who find themselves in a historic rut. Their crashout in the 2026 Round of 32 is just the latest failure on the global stage, as Die Mannschaft have failed to reach the Round of 16 even once in the three tournaments since their 2014 triumph in Brazil.
It's not been much better at the European Championship of late, as their run to the final in 2008 was followed by two semifinal appearances, and then a pair of failures, dumped out in the Round of 16 in 2020 and the quarterfinals in 2024.
To help them climb out of the gutter, the DFB has hired world-class head coach Jurgen Klopp to take over the federation, hoping to draw Germany back from the depths of the last two decades.

#round #federations #five

Jürgen Klopp has signed a deal until 2030 to become Germany coach, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday at a press conference where he was unveiled.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss was the DFB's immediate first choice to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following the World Cup last-32 exit to Paraguay in June.
Klopp was previously global head of soccer at the sports arm of drinks maker Red Bull but will now lead Germany into the Nations League, qualifying for Euro 2028 in the British Isles and qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup.
His first match in charge will be against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 in Germany's opening Nations League fixture.

#first

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to become the next head coach of Italy.
The Italian Football Federation held talks with Guardiola over the vacant role as part of an ambitious bid to recruit the formerManchester City manager.
Guardiola stepped down from his role as Manchester City manager at the end of last season, following a decade of success that included sixPremier League ***** les and the Champions League, among 20 trophies.
Italy had hoped to convince the former AS Roma and Brescia midfielder to lead their rebuild, following the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup.
The four-time world champions have missed three consecutive World Cup finals, having gone 60 years without missing a tournament between 1958 and 2018.

#champions

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

NEW YORK — Norwegian soccer officials plan to file a complaint formally protesting President Trump's phone call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which preceded the surprising reversal of U.S. star Folarin Balogun's suspension from World Cup play.
Balogun received a red card penalty for committing a hard foul against a Bosnia and Herzegovina player during a July 1 match in California. FIFA rules called for the striker from Brooklyn to be barred from participating in Team USA's next game against Belgium. But after Trump spoke to Infantino, with whom he has a friendly relationship, Balogun's suspension was not enforced.
Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness told The Times of London its important that the international soccer community has an "honest" discussion over what transpired.
"We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process," she said. "We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error."
Even with Balogun on field, the U.S. was handily defeated by the Belgians. Belgium lost the following game to the Spanish team, which won the tournament. Norway was knocked out of the World Cup by England in a thrilling quarterfinals match.

#infantino #suspension

The Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint to Fifa's ethics committee about the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-man ban during the World Cup.
United States forward Balogun was expected to miss his side's last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card during their 2-0 win over Bosnia- Herzegovina.
But, after an intervention from US President Donald Trump, the one-match ban was suspended for 12 months. No reason was given, beyond citing a rule that allows punishments to be suspended.
Balogun started the match, which Belgium won 4-1.
In a statement provided to the BBC, NFF president Lise Klaveness said the federation had reacted with "strong concern" and a decision on whether or not to make a complaint would be made at its next board meeting.

#president #decision #Football

Norway's football chief told The Times they are set to make a formal complaint to FIFA over the suspension of Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban because it has put "the whole game at risk".
Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), says she will seek the backing of her board at a meeting on August 6 to lodge the complaint with FIFA's ethics committee over an incident that "should not have happened".
Klaveness told AFP the intention is to "include the Balogun affair" in a complaint already filed by the NFF over FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarding football's governing body's inaugural Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, which was widely ridiculed.
"I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it," Klaveness told The Times in an interview published on Thursday.
"To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint."

#klaveness #Football

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

PARIS (AP) — France's new coach will be announced next Tuesday, when Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Didier Deschamps.
The French Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday that its president Philippe Diallo will name the coach at a news conference at the headquarters in Paris.
The 54-year-old Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. The midfield great coached Madrid to three straight Champions League ****** les from 2016-18.
Deschamps was in charge of France for 14 years and stepped down after the World Cup, where Les Bleus lost in the semifinals to Spain.
France won the World Cup under Deschamps in 2018 and lost the final on penalties in 2022. Les Bleus also lost the European Championship final on home soil in 2016.

#deschamps #lost #madrid #coach

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela confirmed on Tuesday that three people died of infections of hantavirus, but stressed there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission in the South American country, which has rarely reported cases of the rodent-borne disease in humans.
The Health Ministry said hantavirus was also suspected in the deaths of two health workers in the southwestern state of Barinas. Those cases remain under investigation and were not linked to the three fatalities in the eastern state of Anzoátegui, about 655 kilometers (407 miles) away.
Both states were spared the worst of the back-to-back major earthquakes that hit northern Venezuela earlier this month.
The ministry described the deaths in Anzoátegui and Barinas as isolated incidents that "do not represent a risk to the general community." But it added that health workers would be sent to the affected states to "guarantee the health security of all Venezuelans," without elaborating.
The Venezuelan Medical Federation, a national professional group, said the deaths in Anzoátegui were from the same family in the rural municipality of Miranda in the south of the state.

#south

Argentina's top football officials on Wednesday firmly denied reports that their federation's president and treasurer were detained and questioned upon leaving the United States after the World Cup final.
The Argentine Football ***** ociation (AFA) did, however, acknowledge a US investigation into a third party with links to the ***** ociation.
The organization issued a statement following media reports that its president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino had been detained at New York's John F. Kennedy airport before boarding the flight transporting the national squad home after their loss to Spain Sunday.
The pair were reportedly detained for questioning and had their electronic devices seized by US authorities, before being summoned to appear in court regarding AFA's international contracts.
But an AFA statement denied all of the reported claims as "absolutely false."

#wednesday

Pep Guardiola has held talks about becoming Italy’s next head coach, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago has confirmed.
Malago also said “exceptions” could be made in terms of salary for the 55-year-old former Manchester City manager.
Guardiola, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, left City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League ****** les, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League during a 10-year reign.
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Malago said: “(Financial) exceptions have been made, exceptions that for example may concern the name that is so overbearing in these hours: Pep Guardiola.

#guardiola #exceptions #city #champions

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella is mourning the death of his sister Caterina, who died in hospital following a domestic accident, the Turkish football ***** ociation said on Wednesday.
Doctors fought for her life for days, according to a statement.
"As the Turkish Football Federation, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased, in particular our senior national team coach Vincenzo Montella," the ***** ociation wrote on X.
The 52-year-old former Italy striker took over Turkey in September 2023 and led them to Euro 2024 and the recent World Cup, where they went out in the group stage.
Montella's contract runs until after the European Championship in 2028.

#doctors

Former Germany international Sven Bender is set to be named one of Jürgen Klopp's ****** istants when he is appointed German national team coach, the Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Klopp's unveiling is widely expected on Friday, but the German Football Federation (DFB) has not yet confirmed his ****** istants.
The 37-year-old, who enjoyed his most successful spell as a midfielder under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and won the 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga ****** les, was head coach at fourth-tier club Unterhaching until recently.
Klopp is set to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following Germany's third early exit at a men's World Cup in a row. The former Liverpool boss is expected to sign a contract until 2030.
Pundits consider it certain that Klopp, 59, will bring his long-time confidants Peter Krawietz, 54, and Pepijn Lijnders, 43, with him to the DFB as ****** istant coaches, with Bender now entering the mix.

#bender #former #coach

Pep Guardiola has held talks about becoming Italy head coach, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago has confirmed.
Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after 10 successful years in England, during which time he won six Premier League ****** les, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.
Italy have been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April following the country's failure to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
Sky Italia first reported contact between the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the 55-year-old on Monday.
In an interview with Italian digital sports media platform Cronache di spogliatoio, Malago confirmed talks had been held with the Spaniard and that "exceptions" could be made for his salary.

#italy #federation #malago #held

Argentina must have nine lives, right? Somehow, Argentina has found a way to survive at the last minute in just about every one of its 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Yes, this style of play has had everyone on the edge of their seats. But how long can this style of play really last? So far, the drama has played superbly on TV (much to FOX and Telemundo's delight). But do the defending World Cup champions have one more in them to repeat yet again?
While Argentina, the Group J winner, has yet again reached the final, the road to Sunday's finale at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hasn't been an easy one. Time and again, Argentina has been on the brink of elimination. Who will ever forget little-known Cape Verde nearly knocking off the defending champs when Argentina needed extra time in the Round of 32 before finally coming away with a 3-2 win.
The following round against Egypt in the Round of 16 welcomed ridicule against FIFA's officiating and conspiracy theories that the international football federation desperately wanted La Albiceleste to move on. The officiating was so suspicious that non-Argentina soccer fans started referring to Argentina simply as VARgentina, after VAR rulings lifted Argentina to a 3-2 win.
It seemed like Argentina's luck had finally run out in the quarterfinals against Switzerland, which came so, so close to forcing penalty kicks before Argentina bailed itself out in extra time — but only after Breel Embolo was given a red card. Pundits outside Argentina railed against the team because it barely survived against teams outside the top 15 world rankings. Those same pundits deduced that Argentina had finally met its match in the semifinal against an England team ranked fourth in the world.
England held a 1-0 lead and were merely minutes away from going to the final. But the Three Lions played it safe. Way too safe, some would argue, allowing Argentina to score two late goals to survive and advance.

#england #pundits