Latest news with #FIFA2026Qualifier
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cambiaso makes Juventus transfer admission amid Milan and Man City links
Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso insists he 'never asked' to leave the Bianconeri despite Milan and Manchester City transfer speculation: 'I feel everyone's trust.' Juventus defender Cambiaso insists he doesn't want to leave the Allianz Stadium. Advertisement The Italian full-back is under contract until 2029 and has recently been linked with a move to Milan. Gazzetta dello Sport asked the 25-year-old whether he had recently spoken to the Rossoneri or his former boss Massimiliano Allegri. Cambiaso 'never asked' to leave Juventus REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Andrea Cambiaso of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) 'I haven't received any call, maybe my agents have,' said Cambiaso. 'The only certain thing in life is death, but I'm happy here. I haven't spoken to Tudor, but I know the club and the coach hold me in high regard. I feel everyone's trust. I'm happy in Turin and I've never asked to leave.' Cambiaso was reported to be a big Manchester City transfer target in January, but insisted he had never spoken to Pep Guardiola either. Advertisement Juventus coach Igor Tudor has extended his contract to 2027, and Cambiaso revealed that the team is glad the Croat will remain in charge for the long term. 'Absolutely. When the coach arrived, the goal was to qualify for the Champions League, so he fully deserved to be confirmed. He made a great impression on us,' the defender said. 'He helped us through a tricky moment when there was no time for experiments. We just had to achieve our objective, so he focused a lot on the mental aspect and did an excellent job. Now things will be different. We'll have a preseason with him and will be able to work more on tactics. We've already had a taste of it. We're all very happy to continue with him.' Tudor replaced Thiago Motta in March. What was the issue with the previous Juventus coach? Advertisement 'I don't know. Last August, I would have never guessed it would end like this,' admitted Cambiaso. 'I'm sorry because I know him well. I had him at Bologna, and I think he's a great coach. Something didn't click, and the results showed that.' Cambiaso on Juventus' leader and Gattuso appointed as Italy head coach Italy defender Andrea Cambiaso (C) celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italy and France at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 17 November 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO Who is the Juventus technical leader? 'There are many high-level players, but the future belongs to Yildiz. He has the qualities to become a world-class talent.' The Bianconeri will make their Club World Cup debut against Al-Ain on June 18 (June 19 in Europe). What do they expect from this competition? Yunus Musah of AC Milan holds off Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus during the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between AC Milan and Juventus at Al Awwal Park on January 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by) 'We don't even know ourselves because it's the first time,' said Cambiaso. Advertisement 'It will be a surprise, but just being here for the first time is great. We're all definitely tired, but playing is our job, and it's a beautiful thing.' Lastly, the Juventus defender spoke about Gennaro Gattuso's appointment as Italy's head coach. 'I'm really pleased. Let's hope we can return to the USA with the Italian national team next summer.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffon confirms Gattuso for Italy: ‘Best possible decision'
Italy team manager Gigi Buffon confirms they will appoint Gennaro Gattuso as the new coach. 'We made the best possible decision.' The Azzurri were without a tactician after sacking Luciano Spalletti in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Norway, though he remained on the bench for the 2-0 victory over Norway. Advertisement 'We worked, we are waiting for the final details now,' Buffon told RAI Sport. 'The President and the Federation had some pretty full days full of various moments. I think at the end of the day we made the best possible decision.' Gattuso will be the new Italy coach BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Marseille, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League match between Brighton & Hove Albion v Olympique de Marseille at American Express Community Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by) The first choice had been Claudio Ranieri, but he had already made a commitment to be Roma special advisor and announced his retirement from coaching. Although there were candidates including Stefano Pioli, Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro, it quickly became apparent that Gattuso was the favourite. There were meetings with Buffon and then with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to organise the details of the contract. REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: (L-R) Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy and Gianluigi Buffon during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) 'We are trying to push ourselves first and foremost, but the most important thing is that we avoid embarrassing performances that are unworthy of Italy,' added Buffon. Advertisement 'There are different ways to lose and I think we can avoid the worst kind with a few minor adjustments.' The Nazionale are back in action with another 2026 World Cup qualifier against Estonia on September 5, then Israel on September 8.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report Spalletti is Al-Nassr main option to replace Pioli
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that former Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has become the leading candidate to replace Stefano Pioli at Al-Nassr. Former Italy coach Spalletti is Al-Nassr's preferred option for the 2025-26 season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Al-Nassr prepare offer for Spalletti REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy embraces Andrea Cambiaso of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) The Saudi side are in the process of releasing another Italian coach, Pioli, who has reached a verbal agreement with Fiorentina, as Football Italia reported earlier this week. FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Italy Luciano Spalletti speaks with the media during Italy press conference at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 07, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by) According to Gazzetta, Al-Nassr are preparing a big-money offer for Spalletti. Advertisement It remains to be seen whether Spalletti would agree to move to Saudi Arabia, as some of his compatriots, including Simone Inzaghi, have already done. Spalletti's stats as Italy coach REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy looks on during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) Spalletti won 12 of his 24 games in charge of the Azzurri, drawing six and losing as many. He was relieved of his duties last week after a 3-0 loss to Norway in the first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He still remained in charge for his final international match this past Monday, beating Moldova 2-0.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italy coach: Possible key day for Gattuso after five Buffon calls
Italy coach: Possible key day for Gattuso after five Buffon calls Gennaro Gattuso spoke with Italy Delegation Chief Gianluigi Buffon five times on Tuesday, and today could be key to the appointment of the former midfielder as the new Azzurri head coach. Former Milan and Italy midfielder Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner with La Nazionale, is in line to replace Spalletti as Italy's head coach. Key date for Gattuso appointment as Italy coach Marseille head coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Europa League Group B first leg football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille on October 5, 2023. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images) Sportitalia editor Michele Criscitiello has reported that today could be a key day for the appointment of the former midfielder. Gattuso talks to Buffon over Italy role REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: (L-R) Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy and Gianluigi Buffon during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) On Tuesday, Gattuso spoke with Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon, one of his fellow Italy teammates from 2006, five times over the phone. Advertisement Gattuso, a former Hajduk Split coach, is currently not in Italy, but is enjoying a few days off in Marbella. His contract with the Italian national team would expire at the end of the 2026 World Cup. Spalletti took charge of his last Italy game on Monday, beating Moldova 2-0. However, the previous 3-0 loss away to Norway proved costly for the ex-Azzurri boss.
