Juventus are moving closer towards the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as head coach, with reports from Italy claiming an official announcement and presentation could be made as early as Thursday.

According to Sky Sport, Spalletti has nearly reached an agreement to take over the Bianconeri, shortly after Igor Tudor was sacked yesterday after a poor run of results.

After a strong start to the campaign, the Old Lady have struggled and a winless, scoreless run sped up Tudor’s exit from the club.

Spalletti set to take charge at Juventus

It will be Spalletti’s first club job since 2023, when he left Napoli after two years in charge.

For the following two years, the Italian would lead the Azzurri, taking over the Italian national team after the surprise resignation of Roberto Mancini.

In June, following a 3-0 loss to Norway, Spalletti was sacked by the Azzurri and led his final match in charge against Moldova.

Roma legend Francesco Totti believes Paulo Dybala can make a difference ‘consistently’ but insists the Giallorossi must score more goals to fight for the title: ‘Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk still need to get up to speed.’

Totti joined Luciano Spalletti for an event in Milan on Tuesday, where he spoke about Roma’s season so far.

• Read more – Totti: Spalletti would be a ‘great acquisition’ for Juventus

The Giallorossi are the joint-table leaders alongside Napoli, so can they aim for the Scudetto?

“It’s not easy because two or three better-equipped teams,” Totti said, via Corriere dello Sport.

“The main objective is the Champions League. When we won the Scudetto, we used to score three or four goals per game. This year, there are different players. Ferguson and Dovbyk still need to get up to speed, but they are great players and I hope they can make Roma great and become great themselves.”

Paulo Dybala scored his first Serie A goal this season on Sunday, giving Roma a 1-0 win over Sassuolo.

“Paulo is one of the best Roma players, and he has to make a difference consistently,” Totti concluded.

Only two Serie A players have been included on the 26-player shortlist for the 2025 edition of the FIFPRO World XI, as voted for by players across the globe. 

The FIFPRO World XI has been running for 20 years, and acknowledges the 11 most successful players each calendar year. The nominees are voted for by players across the world. 

A 26-player shortlist has been revealed, and that will be whittled down to a final 11, which will be announced on November 3. 

The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackers with the most votes will be included, and the remaining spot is assigned to the outfield player with the next highest number of votes. 

Which Serie A and Italy players are nominated for 2025 FIFPRO XI

Two Serie A representatives have been included on the 26-player shortlist for 2025, namely Luka Modric of Milan and Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli. 

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma has been included among the goalkeepers, and is a strong candidate to be included in the final XI given his victory in the Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year. 

2021 was the last time that either an Italian or a Serie A player was included in the final XI. That came a few months after the EURO 2020 final, which had been delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donnarumma was included on that occasion, as was Juventus’s Leonardo Bonucci, Chelsea’s Jorginho, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was still with Juve for the first half of that year. 

Gianluigi Buffon (2017) is the only other Italian to have been included in the FIFPRO World XI over the last 10 years. He and Matthijs De Ligt (also 2017), Dani Alves (2017, 2016) and Paul Pogba (2015) are the only other Serie A players to have been included in the last 10 years. 

2025 FIFPRO World XI Shortlist

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City), Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/Real Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Nuno Mendes (PSG), William Saliba (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Napoli), Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Milan), Joao Neves (PSG), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Pedri (Barcelona), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Vitinha (PSG).

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Raphinha (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).

The 26-player shortlist for the 2025 FIFPRO Men's World 11 – as voted by players worldwide.

The team will be revealed on 03.11.2025. pic.twitter.com/bnu1umSCKw

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) October 27, 2025

Alessandro Del Piero and Beppe Bergomi got into an argument about Inter on Sunday as the Juventus legend insisted that the Nerazzurri have been ‘the best team in Serie A in the last four years.’

Juventus and Inter legends Del Piero and Bergomi showed diverging opinions on Cristian Chivu’s side on Sunday evening as Sky Sport Italia analysed the latest Serie A weekend, in which the Nerazzurri suffered a 3-1 loss at Napoli.

Inter had complained about a penalty kick that gave Napoli the lead in the first half, but Del Piero and Bergomi did not focus on referee controversies.

Del Piero: Inter the best team in Serie A

“Inter have been the best team in Serie A in the last four years. Others who won instead of them were better, but Inter are the best team,” Del Piero said.

Bergomi, however, didn’t agree: “No, why do they never win games against direct rivals?”

Del Piero replied: “For other reasons, but if you look at the Inter team, it’s undoubtedly better than Napoli, Juventus, Milan and Roma.”

The argument continued with Bergomi, who hit back: “No, Ale. I’ve been saying this for four years.”

Bergomi hits back at Del Piero over Inter claims

The Nerazzurri legend continued: “Remember that those who shout more are not necessarily right…You can raise your voice all the time, and respect what I’m saying, too. Especially because I’ve been saying this for four years, and the results are there. But when they lose, then the others are better. So, who is better? The winners or the losers?”

The Italian World Cup winners were unable to find a common ground.

“I respect it, but what I said is the same, with different words. The better one is the one that wins, the best one is another,” argued Del Piero.

“Inter were able to do certain things and reach certain results, winning titles, cups and reaching Champions League Finals,” concluded Bergomi.

“Even beating clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who are better than Inter.”

The Nerazzurri have lost three of their opening eight Serie A matches this season and are three points below the leading pair Napoli and Roma.

Federico Chiesa has won the Liverpool Player of the Month Award for September, and his performances this season suggest he’s ready to wear the Azzurri shirt again.

Chiesa has not played for the Italy national team since June 2024, when the Azzurri were eliminated from Euro 2024 Round of 16 at the hands of Switzerland.

Chiesa spent the following summer training separately at Juventus before eventually joining Liverpool on deadline day.

However, a lack of preparation in the pre-season saw him struggle with injuries and playing time in his first season at Anfield, where he only grabbed two goals and two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.

The current campaign has begun differently as the Italian has already equalled the number of goals and assists from the previous campaign.

Chiesa is Liverpool’s Player of the Month for September

Although Chiesa has only started one game across all competitions this term, his impact from the bench, especially in Premier League matches, prompted Liverpool fans to vote him as the Player of the Month for September.

“The support has always been amazing. I try to give my best on the pitch for the fans and for Liverpool. I love to see that the fans actually appreciate what I’m doing,” Chiesa said.

“Whatever the minutes are that I’m playing, I try to give my best, I try to help the team, stay positive and try to make an impact. That’s what I’m here for.

“I hope I keep on pushing and keep on giving something back to the fans.”

Chiesa rarely featured in Premier League games in 2024-25, but fans looking for how to buy Liverpool tickets in 2025-26 will have more and more chances to see the Italian on the pitch at Anfield this term, as Chiesa has now become a regular pick from the bench.

Naturally, the ex-Juventus star will hope to start some games as well, also because he aims to return to the Italy national team for the first time in over a year.

Chiesa back to Italy national team after over a year?

His latest appearance dates back to June 29, 2024, when the Azzurri suffered a 2-0 loss against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 Round of 16.

Despite not being a Liverpool starter, Chiesa’s performances suggest that he’s ready to earn a place back in the Azzurri squad, and it’s no secret that the 27-year-old has already spoken several times with new Nazionale coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Earlier this week, Tuttosport newspaper claimed that Chiesa will be called up again in November, when the Azzurri will face Moldova and Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Chiesa made his senior Italy debut in 2018 and has scored seven goals in 51 appearances with the Azzurri, winning Euro 2020.

The French oppress have been critical of Paris Saint-Germain and head coach Luis Enrique for their decision to part ways with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma over the summer, as his replacement, Lucas Chevalier, struggles to live up to expectations. 

PSG and Enrique criticism after Donnarumma sale

Donnarumma spent four years in Paris, and had been a vital part of the squad that won the club’s first ever Champions League title at the end of the 2024-25 season. 

He entered into the final year of his contract with PSG in the summer, and with no agreement in place over an extension, the club allowed him to leave for Manchester City for a cut-price fee of €27m, and turned instead to Chevalier, who came in at a total cost of €55m. 

Since then, Donnarumma has fit in seamlessly to Pep Guardiola’s side in Manchester, despite the fact that City had already brought in a new goalkeeper in James Trafford earlier in the summer transfer window. 

PSG supporters, meanwhile, are less satisfied with their current first choice between the sticks, despite sitting at the top of the Champions League standings after the first three matches of the season. 

The press in France have also been critical of PSG and their decision to sell Donnarumma in order to make way for Chevalier, with both l’Equipe and Le Parisien condemning the club’s decision over the summer. 

One report claims that Donnarumma is currently the best goalkeeper in the world, and that PSG would not have won the Champions League without him last season. 

Luis Enrique has also been criticised individually, as outlets in France claim that he had ‘endorsed’ the signing of Chevalier for most of the 2024-25 season, and that he effectively pushed Donnarumma out of the PSG squad, resulting in Donnarumma being left off the club’s Super Cup squad before he left to join Man City.

As things stand, Chevalier is currently conceding more than twice as many goals as Donnarumma is at club level. The Frenchman has conceded 13 from 12 competetive appearances this term, while the Italian has only let in four across his first eight club matches of the season.

Italy international Federico Chiesa has been awarded as the Liverpool Player of the Month for September: ‘I hope I keep on pushing and keep on giving something back to the fans.’

• Read more – Liverpool fans have Chiesa demand after continued cameo appearances

Chiesa was the best Liverpool player this past September, as the Italian topped a supporter poll on the Liverpool website with 34% of votes, ahead of Alisson Becker and Ryan Gravenberch, who earned 18% of votes each.

“Of course, I’m glad I won this prize. Thank you to the fans for the support and for voting for me,” Chiesa told the official Liverpool website.

Chiesa comments on winning Liverpool’s Player of the Month

“I would rather not get it in the future and win more games. But thank you again.

“The support always has been amazing. I try to give my best on the pitch for the fans and for Liverpool. I love to see that the fans actually appreciate what I’m doing.”

Oddly, however, Chiesa has only started one game this season, against Southampton in the EFL Cup, on September 23, when he grabbed two assists in a 2-1 victory.

Chiesa has made six substitute appearances in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

“I was happy after the Southampton game because we won, but then at Crystal Palace we couldn’t win, and we couldn’t even draw. I wasn’t happy at the end of the game because my goal didn’t count [for anything],” Chiesa continued.

“We hope to turn things around in the future.

“Whatever the minutes are that I’m playing, I try to give my best, I try to help the team, stay positive and try to make an impact. That’s what I’m here for.

“I hope I keep on pushing and keep on giving something back to the fans.”

Chiesa’s Liverpool stats in 2025-26

Chiesa was initially not included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, but was later introduced into the team due to Giovanni Leoni’s knee injury.

Chiesa has scored two goals and provided three assists in eight appearances across all competitions with Liverpool this season.

Congrats, Fede

Federico Chiesa is our @StanChart Player of the Month for September #Ad pic.twitter.com/9QrZNiwdAg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2025

Former Serie A star Amauri reveals Liverpool and Arsenal could not sign him because of ‘bureaucratic issues’, but José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had also set their sights on him.

Former Juventus, Parma, and Chievo striker Amauri spoke about his career as a footballer in his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Scorer of 85 goals in 336 appearances, Brazil-born Amauri chose to play for Italy in 2010, but only made one appearance with the Azzurri.

The 45-year-old has an Italian passport and has built a solid bond with the Peninsula.

“Nobody wanted me in Brazil. Italy and the Viareggio Tournament changed my life,” he said.

“It was the year 2000. I was 19 and I had promised myself that if it didn’t work out that time either, I’d go back home and give it all up. My family needed help, and I couldn’t waste any more time.”

When did he understand that he’d become a player worthy of Serie A?

“I’d say during my second year at Chievo. I was dominant,” Amauri replied.

Amauri on why he didn’t join Arsenal and Liverpool

“From there, people started to look at me differently. Imagine, even Liverpool and Arsenal called me.”

However, a move to England never materialised due to “bureaucratic issues.”

“At the time, I was a non-EU player, and they couldn’t sign me,” Amauri explained.

“It would have been amazing to play at Anfield, under the Kop.”

At the peak of his career, Amauri even earned comparisons with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

“Tue, I was scoring in every possible way and was one of the best strikers in Serie A,” said the ex-striker.

“Even Didier told me that. We met in London before the match, and he told me that he followed me and admired me. He had read in the papers that in Italy they compared me to him.”

Amauri played for Chievo and Palermo before joining Juventus in 2008, but had offers from other Serie A clubs as well.

“Baldini, Spalletti’s assistant, told me that I’d be perfect to play alongside Totti [at Roma]. And Francesco himself would be happy. Milan also wanted me; Ancelotti had put me at the top of his list as Inzaghi’s successor.”

The ex-Italy international went on to play for two and a half years at Juventus before joining Parma on loan in January 2011.

Juventus was a “wonderful world, different,” said Amauri.

“There was a winning culture that’s hard to explain. I played in a star-studded attack with Trezeguet, Del Piero and Iaquinta. I have beautiful memories, above all, that win against Real Madrid. I scored the second goal, a dream come true.”

Amauri: ‘Mourinho wanted me at Real Madrid

The former striker said that he could have even joined Real Madrid: “It was Mourinho’s wish. Through Bronzetti, he let me know that he wanted me at Real Madrid. But you know, I was playing at Juventus. I was happy there, so I didn’t think about it.”

Amauri eventually joined Fiorentina in 2012 as he was no longer part of  Juventus’ plans, and then returned to Parma in 2012.

“Juventus had other ideas. The people who brought me to Turin were no longer there. It was a decision made by the club, even if Conte liked me. He pulled me aside and said: ‘For me, everyone starts from zero. Fight for your place.’ Let’s just say I was never given the chance. I ended up out of the squad, training with the kids. A bad ending.

“It was a call from Crespo that convinced me to accept Parma’s offer. He told me: ‘If you come, we’ll save this team.’ And that’s exactly what happened. I scored a lot, and we avoided a relegation that seemed inevitable. I had even earned my place back in the national team. Prandelli had called me. It’s a shame about that injury against Udinese.”

Italy international Mateo Retegui hints AC Milan made an approach this summer, but Al Qadsiah ‘were the team that wanted me the most.’

The striker was flying high last term as Capocannoniere of Serie A with Atalanta and first choice centre-forward for Italy.

It was therefore somewhat surprising when he opted to make the move to the Saudi Pro League, even if La Dea pocketed a huge €67m plus bonuses fee for the transfer.

There were reports that Milan had shown strong interest too, so Retegui was asked about this by Al Arabiya television.

Retegui targeted by Milan and Al Qadsiah

“There were several clubs who were interested, but the negotiations were not successful, whereas Al Qadsiah were the most concrete and the team that wanted me the most,” explained the striker.

It has been suggested that the Italian Football Federation were unhappy with Retegui’s decision to move to the Saudi Pro League, feeling it might weaken his development.

Did he speak to Roberto Mancini, who in turn had left the Italy job to take over as manager of Saudi Arabia, before choosing?

“No, I didn’t talk to Mancini about it. I talked to my friend Fernandez, who was my teammate at Tigre, and coach Michel convinced me too.

“With all due respect to Gabriele Gravina and the Federation, I have a good rapport with them and they can have their opinion, but I don’t want to talk about this, as my comments might be distorted.”

Although he was born and raised in Argentina, Retegui was approached to represent the Italy squad thanks to his heritage.

“I didn’t want to wait too long for the call from Scaloni, which never did arrive. So when Mancini called instead, I immediately accepted.”

Sandro Tonali is becoming an increasingly integral figure for Newcastle United in the Premier League and Champions League alike, asserting himself as an essential player under Eddie Howe, and recent revelations regarding his contract extension only strengthens the bond between the player and club. 

Tonali contract extension makes Serie A return almost impossible

There has been a lot of talk lately about Tonali’s contract extension with Newcastle. The Italy international signed a new deal until the summer of 2029 with an option for an additional 12 months, which was agreed while the player was serving his 10-month long betting ban. 

There has also been speculation that Tonali’s contract extension definitively rules out a return to Serie A, following reports of interest from Juventus during the summer transfer window. 

The reality is, that not much has changed following Tonali’s contract extension. He had already been valued in the region of €80m, a valuation that still stands. If anything, that price has only increased. 

Any team interested in acquiring Tonali will have to pay those sorts of figures, not to mention his significant salary. And additionally, Newcastle have no intention whatsoever of letting him go any time soon. 

For the interested Serie A sides, this is a mountain that seems almost impossible to climb, at least for the time being.

Manuel Locatelli posted an Instagram story showing him with the captain’s armband after rumours emerged that Igor Tudor will bench him against Real Madrid this evening.

Juventus captain Locatelli is not expected to start at the Bernabeu tonight, when the Old Lady faces off against La Liga giants Real Madrid in the Champions League Round 3.

Locatelli likely to be dropped against Real Madrid

Tudor, in fact, is expected to rely on Teun Koopmeiners, Kehphren Thuram and Weston McKennie in central midfield, but knowing that he’ll start on the bench in one of the biggest games of the season has likely frustrated the Juventus captain.

This is probably why Locatelli shared an Instagram story on Wednesday morning, hours before the game, showing his captain’s armband.

The Italian midfielder has made eight appearances across all competitions this season and was already benched against Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta.

Locatelli is no new to expressing his feelings on social media as he did in the summer of 2024, when he was dropped from Italy’s Euro 2024 squad.

Locatelli’s Instagram story before Real Madrid vs. Juventus

Italian outlet Tuttosport predicts that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa will be included in the next Italy national team squad, despite Gennaro Gattuso having left him out for his first two international breaks in charge of the Azzurri. 

Chiesa, who has been in fine form for Liverpool despite his limited opportunities under Arne Slot, has not featured for the Italy national team since the bitterly disappointing EURO 2024 exit against Switzerland last summer. 

Luciano Spalletti felt unable to call him up during his lengthy spells on the sidelines with Liverpool in 2023-24, and it has been a similar story following the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso in June. 

The new CT has had two international breaks in charge of the Italy national team, playing Israel and Estonia in both September and October, and has maintained a 100% winning record across those matches. 

Now, according to reports from Tuttosport, Gattuso will also have Chiesa at his disposal from November onwards. 

Chiesa preparing for Italy return despite Liverpool snubs

Chiesa is still struggling to break into the Liverpool starting line-up under Slot, but has impressed with his recent cameo appearances. His most recent outing included an assist for Cody Gakpo just six minutes after being brought on in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday. 

As things stand, only Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike have more goal involvements (6) than Chiesa (5) for Liverpool in 2025-26, despite his limited chances in the starting XI. 

Tuttosport claims that Chiesa’s relationship is much better with Gattuso, that the pair have been in constant contact, and that the CT has explained his reasons and prepared a plan of action for Chiesa both times he left him out of the Italy squad. 

It is believed that Gattuso is planning on deploying Chiesa alongside either Mateo Retegui or Moise Kean in a 3-5-2 if the Liverpool forward does earn minutes with the national team in November.

Liverpool supporters are growing increasingly bemused by Federico Chiesa’s continued absence from their side’s Premier League line-up after a series of impressive appearances off the substitutes bench. 

Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus for a fee of €15m, but was forced to watch on from the sidelines for much of the 2024-25 campaign as he struggled to reach full match fitness and break into the side over the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and the late Diogo Jota. 

Liverpool enjoyed a summer of big spending, and twice broke the British transfer record during the off-season with their purchases of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. The reigning Premier League champions also spent heavily on the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni. 

And still, it is Chiesa who has been putting in some of the most impressive attacking performances for Liverpool despite his limited opportunities in the Premier League. 

Liverpool supporters want Chiesa in starting line-up

Chiesa currently has the joint-most assists in the Liverpool squad across all competitions along with Salah (3) and also has two goals to his name. His tally of five goal contributions is second to only Salah and Ekitike in the Liverpool ranks. 

His most recent goal involvement came during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to rivals Manchester United over the weekend, coming off the bench after 72 minutes and providing the assist for Gakpo’s equaliser just six minutes later. 

The 27-year-old’s recent impact off the bench has left many Liverpool fans questioning why he continues to be overlooked by Arne Slot when it comes to starting in Premier League matches. 

“Can we just give Chiesa a couple of starts please,” wrote one user on X. 

“No idea what more Chiesa has to do to start. 20 minutes he gets to influence the game and does it. Every. Single. Time,” another wrote. 

No idea what more Chiesa has to do to start. 20 minutes he gets to influence the game and does it. Every. Single. Time. pic.twitter.com/JhQMHpXVqd

— Sibi (@SibiLFC) October 20, 2025

Another Liverpool supporter commented: “I don’t care who has to drop out, Federico Chiesa should be starting every single game for Liverpool.”

Atalanta have another name to add to their lengthy injury list, as young Italy defender Giorgio Scalvini is set for another few weeks on the sidelines with his latest set-back. 

Scalvini suffers another injury

According to reports from various outlets, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, Scalvini ahs reported pain in his thigh and has been diagnosed with an injury to his bicep femoris muscles in his left leg. 

The current estimation is that he will require another three weeks to recover from his latest setback. 

The last two seasons have not been kind to the 21-year-old centre-back. He suffered a heartbreaking cruciate ligament injury on the final day of the 2023-24 season, which ruled him out of EURO 2024, as well as the first half of the 2024-25 campaign. 

Just over a month after making his return midway through the 2024-25 season, Scalvini suffered an injury to his shoulder, which later required surgery and kept him out for the remainder of the season. He made just six appearances in Serie A all told last season. 

The injury issues have not let up in 2025-26 either. Scalvini started Atalanta’s first three league matches of the season, but then missed the next three with an adductor injury. He is now set to miss matches against Slavia Prague, Cremonese, Milan, Udinese, Marseille and possibly Sassuolo as well as a result of his latest injury.

Former Italy and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini has reportedly failed to reach an agreement with Nottingham Forest and will not be their new manager.

The 60-year-old had been approached by the Premier League side after they fired Ange Postecoglou, who was already their second boss of the campaign following the dismissal of Nuno Spirito Santo in September.

Mancini interest in Nottingham Forest is short-lived

Multiple sources including Telegraph Sport and Sky Sport Italia had suggested Mancini was a strong contender for the role, along with Sean Dyche.

However, now Fabrizio Romano claims that despite discussions over the last 24 hours, there has been no agreement between Nottingham Forest and the EURO 2020 winner.

It was therefore mutually decided that he would not be right for the role at this moment in time.

There had also been some reports in Italy of an approach to Luciano Spalletti, but that was snuffed out very quickly.

It would’ve been a return to the Premier League for Mancini, who had won the title with Manchester City in 2012.

According to Telegraph Sport, former Italy and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini is a strong contender for Nottingham Forest after Ange Postecoglou was sacked.

The change was announced this afternoon mere minutes after Nottingham Forest suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in the Premier League.

Postecoglou was fired just 39 days into the job, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on September 9.

Now Telegraph Sport claim that Italian Mancini is a realistic contender for the job, along with Sean Dyche, a report also supported by The Athletic.

Mancini linked with Premier League return

It had only been reported today that the former Italy coach told friends he was in the running for Manchester United, should they decide to part company with under-fire Ruben Amorim.

Now he is being linked with a different Premier League side, albeit one with several former Serie A players in the squad, including Dan Ndoye, Nikola Milenkovic, Douglas Luiz and Nicolò Savona.

Mancini turns 61 next month and famously won the Premier League title with Manchester City in 2012.

He also had roles at Inter, Galatasaray, Zenit St. Petersburg and the Italy squad from 2018 to 2023, when he left to take over the Saudi Arabia national team.

The Italian was sacked from that position in October 2024.

English sources claim that Roberto Mancini has told his friends that he could be one of the candidates to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United if the Portuguese is sacked.

Mancini feels he could be in the race to become the new Manchester United coach this season if Amorim is sacked.

Mancini feels he could become next Man United coach

According to The Sun, the Italian tactician has told his friends that he could be considered for the job at Old Trafford if Amorim is dismissed.

Manchester United have had a poor start to the season, with just 10 points in seven Premier League matches.

Mancini’s triumph and fiasco with Italy

Mancini led Italy to winning Euro 2020 but was also in charge when the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

He has been without a team for a year, as he was sacked by Saudi Arabia in October 2024 after just 18 games in charge.

According to the report, Mancini has already met Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at various social functions in the South of France, where both own properties.

Former France coach Raymond Domenech still asks himself why Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final and is very critical of the current Italy squad: ‘Donnarumma saved you against Israel, you play badly.’

Former France coach Domenech spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the 2006 World Cup campaign that saw Les Blues reach the Final against Italy, losing on penalties.

Domenech re-watched 2006 World Cup Final ‘ten years later’

“I watched it again, only ten years later and just in fragments,” said the ex-France coach.

“Mostly, Zidane’s sending off because everyone kept talking to me about it all the time.”

Zidane scored the opening goal from the spot in the final, but the Azzurri levelled the score just a few minutes later with Materazzi, and the Italian defender was headbutted by the France star in the extra time.

“Knowing him [Zidane], I knew something like that could happen, but sometimes I still wonder why he behaved that way,” said Domenech.

“Still, Vieira’s injury had a bigger impact. But now, it’s the past.”

Domenech once said that one team won the 2006 World Cup Final, but the other didn’t lose. Does he still feel this way?

“Even for FIFA, it counts as a draw,” he said.

“It’s like an Olympic silver medal, and many tell me it was the most beautiful World Cup. I have no regrets. We were the favourites and the Italians only played with pride for ten minutes after Zidane’s goal, which came too early.”

‘Donnarumma saved Italy’

France won the World Cup in 2018 and lost another Final in 2022, while Italy missed the last two editions of the World Cup and will probably need to go through the playoffs to qualify for the tournament in 2026.

“It makes me smile. I know what it means. Those are high-tension matches,” Domenech concluded.

“I watched Italy against Israel. Donnarumma saved you. You play badly, and to think some people criticise France…”

Italy’s victories over Estonia and Israel during the international break have helped push them one place higher in the latest FIFA World Ranking, moving up to ninth.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side strengthened their position with back-to-back wins that kept them on course for a play-off place in World Cup qualifying. With Norway still in control of top spot in Group I, Italy’s most realistic route to the tournament remains through March’s two-leg play-offs – where the ranking will determine the seeding.

The next update, due on November 21, will be the one that officially decides the pots for the draw. The Azzurri’s recent form has arrived at the perfect time to consolidate a place among the top seeds.

Latest FIFA World Ranking (Top 20)

1. Spain
2. Argentina (+1)
3. France (-1)
4. England
5. Portugal
6. Netherlands (+1)
7. Brazil (-1)
8. Belgium
9. Italy (+1)
10. Germany (+2)
11. Croatia (-2)
12. Morocco (-1)
13. Colombia
14. Mexico
15. Uruguay
16. United States
17. Switzerland
18. Senegal
19. Japan
20. Denmark

Projected Play-off Seedings as Italy await opposition

Pot 1: Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland
Pot 2: Hungary, Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Pot 3: Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo
Pot 4: Wales, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe is convinced that new sporting director Ross Wilson is already ‘looking into the contract length’ of several key players, including Sandro Tonali.

Italy star Tonali is one of the Newcastle players expected to receive a contract extension offer in the coming months, alongside Tino Livramento and Sven Botman.

When does Tonali’s Newcastle contract expire?

Tonali’s current deal expires in June 2028, but reports in England during the break suggested the Magpies would soon offer him an extension.

Howe spoke at a press conference on Friday and confirmed that contract extensions, including Tonali’s, are already on the agenda of new sporting director Ross Wilson.

Tonali expected to be offered contract extension by Newcastle

“That’s one that’s waiting for Ross. These conversations will all be led by him,” Howe said, via the Independent.

“And of course I’m sure he’s all over that and looking into the contract length of all the players and then starting conversations accordingly.”

Tonali joined Newcastle from Milan in the summer of 2023 and has scored seven goals in 66 appearances with the Magpies.

The Italian midfielder recently hinted that he could return to Serie A one day, although he’s currently happy to play for Newcastle and in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has three goals in 29 with the Italy national team.