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After 16 days of chaos, can Italian football reset for new era?
Italy’s national football association (FIGC) has appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach, ending a chaotic 16-day search that led technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo to resign from their own roles. The saga began after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina…
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PalesTEENian review – engaging story of mixed identity is a bit of a muddle
A Guardian theatre review assesses PalesTEENian, Joe Haddad’s solo show at Riverside Studios in London, which blends stand-up comedy with a personal account of growing up with dual Palestinian-British identity. The reviewer finds the show engaging and often funny, praising Haddad’s stage presence and some sharp lines, but concludes it lacks focus, awkwardly shifting between…
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Roberto Mancini returns as Italy head coach with Claudio Ranieri named technical director
Roberto Mancini has been reappointed as Italy’s head coach for a second time, with Claudio Ranieri named as the Italian Football Federation’s new technical director, president Giovanni Malago confirmed. Mancini replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who left in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, and returns to the role he held…
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Football Daily | Italy’s search for a manager turns into a shemozzle of epic proportions
Italy’s search for a new national team manager has descended into chaos, with the Italian Football Federation cycling through candidates before settling on former boss Roberto Mancini as the likely favourite. This matters because the Azzurri have missed the last three men’s World Cups and remain without a permanent coach as they attempt to rebuild,…
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Sheffield Wednesday Line Up New Premier League Move Following Tommi O’Reilly Disappointment – Football Lowdown
Sheffield Wednesday are reported to be pursuing another loan signing from a Premier League club after their proposed move for Aston Villa midfielder Tommi O’Reilly fell through. The club’s need to strengthen its attacking options remains pressing ahead of the League One season, and the new approach suggests they are continuing to target young players…
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France turn to ‘legend’ Zinedine Zidane as head coach in long-awaited homecoming
Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France’s new head coach, taking over from Didier Deschamps and returning to the national team he captained to World Cup glory as a player. The French Football Federation (FFF) president, Philippe Diallo, confirmed the four-year appointment at a press conference in Paris, calling Zidane one of the “legends” of…
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‘The Messi of ballet’: Marianela Núñez, the Buenos Aires bombshell shaking up British dance
Marianela Núñez, the Royal Ballet’s Argentine-born principal dancer, is preparing to headline her own show, Timeless, at the Royal Opera House – a rare career milestone she is only reaching now, aged 44, after 28 years with the company. Known in Argentina as “the Messi of ballet” for her extraordinary skill and evident joy in…
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Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign Juve’s Francisco Conceição?
The Guardian’s daily transfer rumours column rounds up speculation swirling around Europe’s top clubs as the summer window continues, with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase for Juventus and Portugal winger Francisco Conceição. Manchester City’s John Stones has also moved closer to a switch to Inter Milan on a free transfer, while several Premier League…
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Mayo’s Croke Park exploits not lost on Taylor
Katie Taylor has said watching Mayo’s emotional All-Ireland football final win over Kerry has heightened her anticipation for her own farewell fight at Croke Park. The Irish boxer headlines the Dublin stadium on 5 September against Flora Pili, with the undisputed light-welterweight championship at stake, capping a career in which she has already achieved undisputed…
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How Premier League Futures programme is helping former academy prospects
The Premier League’s Futures programme is providing career support to young players released from professional academies, offering a route beyond the pitch into education, business and welfare roles. The scheme, which began in 2017, was created to fulfil academies’ obligation to provide at least three years of aftercare for players released during their professional development…