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

Weston McKennie has professed his desire to spend the rest of his career at Juventus, describing the prospect as a dream come true ahead of a pre-season meeting with Inter.
According to calciomercato.com, relaying Tuttosport, the American midfielder, set to start against the champions, reflected on his longevity in Turin. "Staying so long at a club, and especially a club like Juventus, isn't easy," he said.
"Being here for six years already and starting, I think, my seventh season is a dream come true, so I hope I can carry on."
A lesson from Andrea Pirlo has stayed with him: "He told me something that stuck in my mind: any player can be lucky enough to reach a club like this and stay a year or two, but only the professionals, the ones who can perform day after day, manage to stay at such a club for five, six or seven years."
Tellingly, McKennie named a Roma icon as his boyhood idol. "Even if some people won't like hearing me say it, my idol was Francesco Totti, above all for his loyalty," he said, "but I'd also cite the example of Del Piero, of course."

#dream #season #years

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

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

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

Italy will appoint legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo as the country's new manager, according to local reports.
Pirlo was a key part of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning side and played for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus in a gloried playing career. He also coached Juventus, as well as Sampdoria and Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, before his current role in charge of Dubai United.
Pirlo will sign a four-year contract, taking him to the 2030 World Cup, Italian publication La Repubblica reported.
Italian ⁠football is facing one of its deepest crises in decades, and the ⁠appointment of a new national team coach is seen as the first step in a wider effort to ‌rebuild a youth development and talent pathway system that has deteriorated ‌significantly in a country where football remains a national obsession.
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.

#juventus #four

Italy to Pirlo
He'll be the coach after Guardiola's rejection. The target is the 2030 World Cup. Four-year contract: Buffon says no.
In Austria with Andrea, waiting for the signature
Milan, ***** ault on Karetsas thanks to the money of Leao to Turkey
Inter: A leader for the defence, Romero with Akanji's formula

#four #andrea #karetsas

The now all-but-certain appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the national team raises a question: "Why him, exactly?" It's a fair question. More than fair, in fact—it's necessary.
Because his CV is hardly dazzling, his profile has deflated the fans' excitement, and now it seems as if everything is already being written off before it has even begun. But there is more sense in this choice than people think, regardless of how it ends.
A month ago, Andrea Pirlo claimed that he has always "achieved the objectives set for him": 4th place with Juventus, the playoffs with Sampdoria, 7th place with Fatih Karagümrük (though in reality he was sacked while in 9th place), and then promotion from the UAE Serie B by finishing 2nd.
That really is quite an impressive résumé—if you read it backwards. Because read left to right, it looks like the story of Benjamin ***** on: it starts where most careers end and then develops in reverse, all the way back to having to learn the ropes in lower divisions, even in minor leagues.
But in the middle, we never saw him at his physical peak: where is Andrea Pirlo's prime? It never happened. Not yet, at least.

#pirlo #even #juventus #sampdoria

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

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

The dates, kick-off times and venues for all of Italy’s upcoming Nations League fixtures have been confirmed, including a re-match against World Cup semi-finalists France in San Siro.
While discussions over a new head coach for the Italy national team continue – Andrea Pirlo now looking like the frontrunner after missing out on Pep Guardiola – preparations for the upcoming Nations League campaign are underway.
The Azzurri are in Nations League Group A with Belgium, Turkey and France and will face all three nations home and away between September and November.
Italy’s Nations League campaign will begin with a visit from Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on September 25, before jetting out to take on Turkey in Bursa three days later.
Italy will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 victory from 2024 when they take on France in Paris again on October 2. Bologna’s Dall’Ara stadium will host the following game against Turkey on October 5.

#league #turkey #upcoming #campaign

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 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

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

Manchester United remain on track to complete the signing of Atalanta enforcer Ederson after a £39 million deal was struck last month – with Serie A legend Andrea Pirlo giving his **** sment of the midfielder.
Ederson, 26, had been due to complete his medical to finalise the move to Old Trafford, only to receive a late call-up from Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil's World Cup squad following an injury to Wesley.
Interestingly, Wesley is a right-back by trade, with the Italian manager clearly feeling Ederson's skillset and versatility meant he could provide cover in the unfamiliar position.
Brazil endured a disappointing tournament in North America, however, suffering a dismal 2-1 defeat to Norway in the last sixteen on Sunday evening. Ederson came off the bench with the game poised at 0-0, only for an Erling Haaland brace to put the game beyond the Seleção's reach.
In the build-up to the match, there had been speculation that United were set to pull out of the deal with Atalanta in an explosive twist. However, club sources moved quickly to dispel this unfounded gossip, communicating that the move remained on track to be completed once Ederson's international duty had finished.