Manchester City will embark on their first season without Pep Guardiola as manager for over a decade, as incoming boss Enzo Maresca prepares to take on the role.
The Italian head coach becomes just City's fourth manager in more than two decades following Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, and Roberto Mancini, and embarking on his third stay at the Etihad Stadium.
After spells within the club's Academy system, before departing to take on a head coach role in Italian football and returning to become Guardiola's **** istant in the 2022/23 season, Enzo Maresca has now been tasked with steering the club into a new era.
Among the early challenges is the summer transfer window and how best to tackle the exits of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and possibly more including Rodri, as well as identifying the necessary stars to bolster his playing squad.
Now, ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season, here are all of the key dates you need to know and make a note of for a big season in the history of Manchester City!

#manchester

Como coach Cesc Fabregas has welcomed the return of Roberto Mancini to the Italy job. 'I always liked him, since Manchester City. He's a winner and plays good football.'
The decision was finally made today to appoint Mancini to the **** onale, three years on from when he walked away from the role the first time to take over the Saudi Arabia national team instead.
Following offers to Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola and Andrea Pirlo, the choice of Mancini feels to some like a step backwards rather than trying to modernise Italian football.
However, Fabregas disagrees with the **** sment, insisting it is a positive move for Calcio.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – AUGUST 24: Roberto Mancini Coach of Saudi Nation team looks on during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Shabab and Al Ettifaq at Al-Shabab Club Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

#mancini #arabia

New Italy coach Roberto Mancini and technical director Claudio Ranieri will hold their first press conference tomorrow at 18:00 CET, Giovanni Malagò announced.
Mancini is set to return as Italy's head coach for a second stint, Malagò confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday.
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"It is very positive that both Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri have behaved with great sensibility on the budget issues that need to be taken into consideration," Malagò said.
The press conference took place after a FIGC federal meeting, during which Malagò informed members that he had picked Mancini as the new head coach.

#press #conference #italy

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

After Germany and France, Italy has now also found a new national team coach. Following a successful era between 2018 and 2023, the Squadra Azzurra will once again be led by Roberto Mancini. This was confirmed by president Giovanni Malagò at the press conference after the end of the Federal Council meeting at the FIGC headquarters. Claudio Ranieri was also confirmed as the new Technical Director.
Mancini is the new national team coach
"The national team coach? Time was pressing. I believed that Roberto Mancini had to be the person to become coach of the national team. Both Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri showed complete willingness and great understanding regarding the financial aspects and our budget requirements."
Ranieri is the new Technical Director
"I needed a person with whom I could share the decision on the national team coach. That person is Claudio Ranieri. Just a few minutes ago, he signed his contract. Ranieri and Mancini have already spoken with each other. Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. there will be a joint press conference."

#team #coach #claudio #technical

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

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

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

Roma have secured the long-term future of both Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini.
The two Giallorossi captains are set to stay in the Italian capital after weeks of discussions regarding their new contracts.
As confirmed by Filippo Biafora of Il Tempo, Roma and the players' agent, Giuseppe Riso, have completed the agreement to extend both players' contracts.
The matter is now closed, whereas there is still a need to further discuss Lorenzo Pellegrini's deal – the midfielder, in fact, is still a free agent after his contract ended on June 30th.

While his departure has already been confirmed, Alessio Romagnoli remains a Lazio player in name, as he has yet to sign for Al-Sadd.
The 31-year-old has been trying to push his way out of his beloved club since January, as his relationship with Lazio patron Claudio Lotito hit rock bottom, mainly due to broken promises over a pay raise. The defender was on the cusp of signing for Al-Sadd in the winter, but the talks collapsed at the eleventh hour.
Nevertheless, the Qatari champions kept their promise by launching a new attempt in the summer, and have seemingly reached the finish line. Several reliable sources in the Italian press have described the operation as a ‘done deal‘, with Lazio agreeing to sell Romagnoli for €3 million.
The centre-back even confirmed the move with a video message to the supporters that was displayed during the grand Anti-Lotito demonstration organized on July 2. And yet, the former AC Milan captain is still lingering in Rome.
According to Il Corriere dello Sport and La Lazio Siamo Noi, Romagnoli was initially expected in Doha by July 5, but his arrival was delayed, as the two parties were said to be ironing out the final details in the player’s contract. Al-Sadd were also busy appointing Razvan Lucescu as their new head coach, replacing the departing Roberto Mancini.

Roma is preparing to officially announce several contract renewals.
The training camp at Trigoria will begin on Monday, and Gasperini will officially begin his second season as Roma coach.
Among the coach's requests were the retention of Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Celik. Gianluca Mancini is in the clear.
Surprisingly, given that his contract with the Roman club expires on June 30, 2027, the third extension, following the new agreement with La Joya and the Turkish full-back, will be that of Roma's number 23. This comes before Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal.
Lorenzo Pellegrini may start his training camp with Roma late.

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.

Former Sampdoria and England defender Des Walker revealed he was close to signing for Roma and Juventus but since Nottingham Forest declined the Bianconeri spent the money on Roberto Baggio.
Des Walker revealed that he was close to joining Roma in April of 1990, a couple of months before the iconic FIFA World Cup tournament in Italy.
However, Nottingham Forest declined the offer. As they did when Juventus came knocking after Italia 90, with the Bianconeri spending the money saved on his transfer a certain Roberto Baggio.
Furthermore, Walker revealed the backstory of when he signed for Sampdoria where Roberto Mancini was an integral part of that transfer.
Walker made these statements in an interview with the The Italian Football Podcast, at an online event hosted by TalkSPORT Bet Online Slots.

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)

While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
In Los Angeles on Thursday, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last-16, mind: either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s Croatia in Dallas on Monday.
Records continue to tumble for Luis de la Fuente’s unrelenting outfit. They’ve now levelled the 35-game unbeaten run of the 2007-2009 golden generation and are now just two games away from the all-time international record, set by Roberto Mancini’s Italy team who won Euro 2020. For keeper Unai Simón, No 1 over ***** nal’s David Raya, a fifth consecutive World Cup clean sheet, tying Italy in 1990 and Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. And it’s the first time they’ve scored more than one goal in a knockout game since 1994, would you believe? The omens for the Spanish are tantalisingly promising.
All that was missing, in essence, was a Lamine Yamal goal. The irresistible winger, not 19 years of age for another 11 days, came close on several occasions but, unlike Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Messi and Kane out in front, a fight for the golden boot looks beyond him. Still, he looked terrific in spurts here; unequivocally the most potent attacking threat for his country.
For Spain, this was a first-ever game in California, and they could well be back in eight days, with a potential quarter-final against the USA or Belgium. Here, they were met with stiflingly dense conditions, adding to the humidity in this greenhouse-spaceship of an arena. And from De la Fuente’s team selection, a record-breaking faith in youth: in selecting Barcelona duo Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, the pair were the first teenagers to start a World Cup knockout match for 68 years, since a certain Pele and Jose Altafini for Brazil in 1958. That side, of course, won the tournament.

While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
In Los Angeles on Thursday, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last-16, mind: either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s Croatia in Dallas on Monday.
Records continue to tumble for Luis de la Fuente’s unrelenting outfit. They’ve now levelled the 35-game unbeaten run of the 2007-2009 golden generation and are now just two games away from the all-time international record, set by Roberto Mancini’s Italy team who won Euro 2020. For keeper Unai Simón, No 1 over ******* nal’s David Raya, a fifth consecutive World Cup clean sheet, tying Italy in 1990 and Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. And it’s the first time they’ve scored more than one goal in a knockout game since 1994, would you believe? The omens for the Spanish are tantalisingly promising.
All that was missing, in essence, was a Lamine Yamal goal. The irresistible winger, not 19 years of age for another 11 days, came close on several occasions but, unlike Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Messi and Kane out in front, a fight for the golden boot looks beyond him. Still, he looked terrific in spurts here; unequivocally the most potent attacking threat for his country.
For Spain, this was a first-ever game in California, nd they could well be back in eight days, with a potential quarter-final against the USA or Belgium. Here, they were met with stiflingly dense conditions, adding to the humidity in this greenhouse-spaceship of an arena. And from De la Fuente’s team selection, a record-breaking faith in youth: in selecting Barcelona duo Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, the pair were the first teenagers to start a World Cup knockout match for 68 years, since a certain Pele and Jose Altafini for Brazil in 1958. That side, of course, won the tournament.

Wednesday’s reports claim that Antonio Conte is willing to take a significant pay-cut in order to return to his previous role in charge of the Italy national team, but even after that reduction, he is still expected to cost twice as much as his main rival for the job, Roberto Mancini.
Mancini and Conte, two former CTs, are the leading candidates to come in and take over from Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down shortly after Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: FIGC President Gabriele Gravina attends the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina also resigned after Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row and has since been replaced by Giovanni Malago, who was formally elected earlier this month.
Malago will hold his first federal council meeting of the FIGC on Wednesday afternoon, for the first time since his appointment to the role of President of the Italian FA.

Gianluca Mancini is expected to renew his contract with Roma, which expires in June 2027.
The 1996-born defender spoke to Sky about his extension a few days ago: “Negotiations are ongoing, I’m waiting. There are insiders, my agent, myself, and the club: we’re talking and we’ll continue to do so. I’m waiting for answers and we’ll see what happens.”
The Giallorossi defender has an offer of just over €3 million until 2029, with an option for another year.
Roma and Gianluca Mancini continue to negotiate a contract renewal.
As Matteo Moretto reports, the deal is close, but a deal hasn’t been finalized yet. This is why Inter are an interested spectator. The Nerazzurri are waiting, looking for a central defender following De Vrij’s departure to Panathinaikos.

Fabio Capello believes that now is the right time for Antonio Conte to return to the role of head coach of the Italy national team, and suggests that the damage was done for Roberto Mancini when he accepted a position in the Saudi Arabia set-up three years ago.
Giovanni Malago has recently been elected as the new President of the FIGC and appointing a new head coach of the men’s national team is an immediate priority for the new chief of the Italian FA.
As things stand, Mancini and Conte are the frontrunners, although there have also been some calls from supporters to give U21s head coach and recent interim Silvio Baldini a chance with the senior side on a full-time basis.
Mancini and Conte, however, remain the two frontrunners, and Capello has made it clear which one he would prefer to see return to the Italy hot seat.
“We’re talking about a battle between two great coaches, both winners,” Capello said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

According to reports in Italy, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are the frontrunners to become the new Italy coach after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Italy have not participated in the World Cup for 12 years, and their new coach will have qualification for the 2030 tournament as the main goal.
The Azzurri finished their 2026 World Cup qualification group in second behind Norway, so they were forced to play in the play-off qualifier, meeting Northern Ireland in the semis and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.
Players take part in a training sesssion of Italy’s national football team ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 football Championship in Iserlohn, on June 12, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
They were naturally the favourites to qualify, but those who feared the Azzurri would feel the pressure after two missed qualifications eventually reaped the rewards on Melbet.

Italy 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi insists Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy’s head coach ‘could be an important solution’ and feels José Mourinho will ‘put pressure on Barcelona’ as the new Real Madrid coach.
Former Inter and Italy defender Materazzi gave an interview to Corriere dello Sport, speaking about Mancini’s potential return as Italy’s head coach, among other things.
“He left the national team a few years ago,” said the ex-defender, who played under Mancini at Inter.
“If he has the desire to return and take on a big responsibility, he could be an important part of the solution.”
Another ex-Materazzi coach, Mourinho, is making headlines this summer after returning to Real Madrid for a second stint.

The debut episode of the Football Italia Summer Show is now live on YouTube, featuring TNT Sports and SiriusXM commentator and presenter Adam Summerton.
Together, we discuss the future of the Italy national team and the possibility of Roberto Mancini returning as head coach, a prospect that raises an important question: Are the Azzurri looking in the wrong places?
Should Italy bring Roberto Mancini back as the head coach? We asked our readers this question a few days ago, and the answer confirmed how split opinions are regarding the 2020 Euro winner, who, at the same time, failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup before stepping down a year later.
Mancini has just left Al-Sadd, and according to various sources, including Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sport Italia, he’s the favourite to take over the Azzurri after June 22, 2026, when the FIGC Presidential elections take place.
Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, ******* istant Coach of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to sign lifetime contract extensions with Roma.
Both players are considered by Gian Piero Gasperini to be crucial to his coaching project, following their third-place finish and Champions League qualification in his first year as Roma coach.
The contract extensions for Gasperini’s two loyalists seemed a done deal, but after the heavy defeat against Inter (5-2), the Giallorossi decided to put the deal on hold.
Now, Mancini and Cristante are close to renewing their respective contracts until 2030.
Tony D’Amico has recently resumed discussions with the players to extend, with the necessary adjustments, their agreements with Roma.

The Astros Road trip began with a little extra flavor for all, going 10 innings from Anaheim and in the process, producing one of the bigger comebacks of the year. From Jose Altuve’s daring baserunning to Brice Matthews one hop rocket throw to home plate, negating a slide by Mike Trout, it was late night heroics all around. Houston would tie it in the 9th and ultimately win it in the 10th. Astros 5. Angels 4.
Spencer Arrighetti entered Monday Night having never defeated the Angels during his career and although he didn’t get the win, the Astros picked up their 31st victory. The win ultimately went to Josh Hader in relief. Arrighetti cruised with a six-pitch opening frame, but then the wheels began to fall off in the second inning thanks to a series of miscues, rekindling flashbacks of Arrighetti’s hard luck fourth inning last week versus Pittsburgh.
Jo Adell would lead off things in the second inning, reaching first base after being hit by an errant pitch. He scored the game’s first run courtesy of ex-Astro Trey Mancini, who registered an RBI single in his first big league game in three years. In total, nine different batters would come to the plate with a combination of walks and hits, even Logan O’Hoppe getting in on the action with a double that drove in a pair. Final damage was thirty-six pitches thrown and three runs on the board. It’s now six times over his last ten starts that Arrighetti has walked at least four batters.
Houston would get on the board in the top of the fourth after Yordan Alvarez reached on an error by Mike Trout and scored thanks to Christian Walker’s RBI Double. Doubles would be the theme of the night for Houston, as their first six hits would all be two baggers. Lamont Wade Jr., in just his fourth game with the club, would register an RBI double, scoring Isaac Paredes in the 6th inning. Wade would exit moments later with tightness to his right hamstring. Brice Matthews would come in as a pinch runner and score when Cam Smith doubled him home, tying things at three.
De Los Santos would come on in relief and give up a solo shot to Zach Neto in the 7th. For Neto, it would be his 13th home run of the year. However, Christian Walker would secure the Astros first single of the night, in a clutch moment in the top of the 9th, with a hit to center, scoring Jeremy Pena, tying things at 4-4. In the 10th inning, on a fielding error by Logan O’Hoppe, Jose Altuve would score the winning run. Bryan Abreu would come in and close the door earning his 4th save.

Interim Italy head coach Silvio Baldini appears to have given his endorsement to Antonio Conte, who remains linked with a move to return to the national team set-up following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso earlier this year: ‘Whenever he didn’t win, he always came second’.
Baldini is serving as Italy’s interim head coach following the resignation of Gattuso immediately after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March. A permanent CT will not be appointed before the FIGC Presidential elections take place on June 22.
Several names have been linked with the vacant Italy national team head coach role: Massimiliano Allegri was among the first, but he is now set to take over from Conte as head coach of Napoli. Pep Guardiola has also been touted as a long-shot ‘dream’ option for the Azzurri.
As things stand, reports indicate that Conte and Roberto Mancini, two former CTs, are the leading candidates to replace Gattuso.
Baldini, speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Italy’s friendly against Greece, praised Conte and his ‘methodology’ in what appeared to be a public endorsement of the former Juventus, Inter and Napoli tactician.

For long stretches of the season, Roma had the best defense in Europe’s top five leagues.
From Svilar to the trio of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso, the contribution should be extended to the entire team, which worked well without possession.
For Gian Piero Gasperini, the defensive block was crucial to reaching the Champions League.
It’s important to remember that Roma’s central defenders are also the team’s top scorers in Serie A (10). A valuable dual role that the Grugliasco-born coach doesn’t want to give up.
Gasperini has sent a clear signal to the club in discussions about building the team of the future: he wants to keep the defensive block from the recently concluded season intact and aim even higher. Here’s what Il Tempo reports.

Thursday’s reports claim that Oumar Solet is getting close to securing a move to Serie A and Coppa Italia champions Inter this summer, but the Frenchman is expected to extend his contract with Udinese first. Here’s why.
Inter are hoping to add to their defensive unit this summer with Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian leaving at the end of their contracts, whilst Yann Bisseck could be sold amidst interest from Bayern Munich.
Several centre-backs have been linked with a potential move to San Siro this summer, including Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic and Roma pair Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka, but reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that a deal for Udinese’s Solet is edging ever closer.
PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Oumar Solet of Udinese Calcio celebrates during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 29, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Frenchman is reportedly valued in the region of €25m given that he is heading into the final year of his contract, which is set to expire on June 30, 2027.