Giovanni
Ballkani · CONMEBOL Libertadores · Midfielder · #8 · Brazil · 23 yrs
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Report: Andrea Pirlo will not take Italy head coach spot, leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director
After Pep Guardiola's rejection, Italy appeared to be turning to Andrea Pirlo as their new head coach for the rebuild. However, the Italian legend revealed that he will no longer be an option, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) decided to rebuild its sporting project. To do so, Pep Guardiola was the priority candidate, but he rejected the opportunity. As a result, Andrea Pirlo appeared to be the new head coach for this process. However, the Italian legend has been ruled out for a surprising reason, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. According to Sky Sports Italia, the FIGC and Andrea Pirlo were very close to reaching an agreement for him to become Italyâs new head coach. However, he has been ruled out due to his association with a Russian sports betting platform, which led to significant political pressure. Because of this, FIGC President Giovanni MalagĂČ decided not to give the green light to his appointment as head coach, forcing the federation to look elsewhere. Amid these reports, Andrea Pirlo released a statement on his social media, seeking to clarify everything. âAfter learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify certain matters⊠The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature,â he said, via Instagram. Paolo Maldini expected to step down as Italy technical director Amid the rebuild of the sporting project, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, his assistant, emerged as the key duo behind the major decisions. As a result, the rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti left Andrea Pirlo as their only option. Following President Giovanni MalagĂČâs rejection, the Italian legend has reportedly decided to resign from his position as technical director. Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of Italy. According to Sky Sports Italia, Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from the FIGC if Italyâs new head coach does not align with their vision of the game. While both are seeking a revolution, the potential candidate represent a continuation of the old approach. As the leaders behind these decisions, they believe that remaining in their roles without believing in the head coach would be a waste of time. Report: Antonio Conte emerges as MalagĂČâs top Italy candidate Without Paolo Maldini and Leonardo by his side, Giovanni MalagĂČ appears to be the sole decision-maker in the selection of Italyâs new head coach. As a result, he is reportedly leaning toward a more conservative decision, seeking immediate impact. Antonio Conte is reportedly the absolute priority to become Italyâs new head coach. With this, MalagĂČ is taking a completely different path from the one Maldini wanted. Although the narrative of the rebuild pointed toward a new process, Conte represents a continuation of the old one. Basing his style of play on defense and counterattacking soccer, Italy appear determined to give the past another chance. In addition, the development of young players could be put on hold, as the head coach tends to rely on veterans, taking an approach that is focused only on winning in the short term.
Napoli warning for Zeballos: âAt right conditions, otherwise weâll waitâ for January 2027
Napoli director Giovanni Manna warns Boca Juniors that they will only buy Exequiel Zeballos âfor the right conditions,â otherwise they âwill waitâ for him to become a free agent in January 202...
Paolo Maldini reveals talks with Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti over Italy head coach vacancy
New Italy technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed talks with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to take over the vacancy at the Azzurri. Italy legend Paolo Maldini has stepped into a pivotal leadership role overseeing the search for the Azzurriâs next head coach, spearheading a comprehensive overhaul aimed at the 2030 World Cup. Amid a swirling list of potential managerial targets, the newly appointed technical director revealed that the federation has held preliminary discussions with current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti to fill the high-profile vacancy on the bench. On July 23, Serie A convened an assembly on Via Rosellini alongside top executives from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), including newly elected president Giovanni Malago, technical director and Club Italia chief Paolo Maldini, and special advisor Leonardo. Securing a permanent manager for the national team dominated the agenda, with officials confirming that dialogue had also been opened with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. When asked during a post-meeting press conference about pursuing the legendary Spanish manager, Maldini dropped a headline-grabbing revelation on the international stage: âGuardiola? We canât share any news; you have identified one of our targets, but we have also spoken with Ancelotti. It felt right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability.â While Maldini emphasized that these interactions were exploratory conversations rather than formal contract negotiations, the news still sent shockwaves across the footballing landscape. Ancelotti remains under contract with the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) through June 2030, keeping him locked in as the figurehead for the Selecaoâs long-term sporting project. Carlo Ancelotti (R) and Paolo Maldini (L) as Milan manager and Milan captain back in 2007. Maldini offered further insight into how the federation is approaching its decision-making timeline. âThe ideal scenario would be to appoint the national team manager by this week, but even more important is waiting for the person we truly want. There is an urgency, but deep down, not so much of one,â the former legendary defender detailed. Following Gennaro Gattusoâs departure in April after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup via the UEFA playoffs, Silvio Baldini was appointed as interim head coach of the senior squad. Baldini, who simultaneously manages Italyâs U-21 side, led the team through recent friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece and will remain in charge until a permanent appointment is finalized. Ancelotti represents a complex target for Italy After leaving Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in May 2025, marking his first stint as a national team manager as he sought to restore tactical discipline to the five-time world champions. Ahead of the 2026 tournament, the CBF announced a contract extension through 2030, cementing the Italian tactician as the central pillar of their long-term international blueprint. Prising Ancelotti away from Brazil presents monumental logistical and financial hurdles for the FIGC. According to Globo Esporte, in addition to an annual salary of âŹ770,000 (roughly $853,000), Ancelottiâs compensation structure includes a âŹ5 million World Cup victory bonus, a private jet allowance, and luxury accommodations in Barra da Tijuca near Rio de Janeiro.
Financial âexceptionsâ made for Pep Guardiola to become next Italy head coach
Italian football federation confirm interest in GuardiolaMancini and Pirlo also linked with national team vacancyFinancial âexceptionsâ are in place to allow Pep Guardiola to become Italyâs next head coach, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni MalagĂČ, has said.Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League during a hugely successful 10-year reign. Continue reading...
Who has won the most World Cup titles as a player?
The prestigious list of World Cup winners does not have many players with more than one title. Every player wants to win every title possible, but this one has a different meaning for everyone. Winning the World Cup with your country is what could make a player feel the most pride. There arenât many players who can say they are world champions. None has ever been more successful than PelĂ©, who remains the player with the most World Cup titles after lifting the trophy three times. Brazil are the most successful team in the competition with five titles, helped by some of the greatest players in history. PelĂ© was part of the teams that won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Players with two World Cup titles The list of players with three World Cup titles has just one name, but many others have managed to win the competition twice. It makes sense that most of them come from Brazil and Italy, the only countries to win back-to-back World Cup titles. Ronaldo was part of the team that won the title in 2002 (Tim De Waele/Getty Images) A total of 20 players have won exactly two titles: Giovanni Ferrari, Guido Masetti, Giuseppe Meazza and Eraldo Monzeglio for Italy; Daniel Passarella for Argentina; and Bellini, Cafu, Castilho, Didi, Djalma Santos, Garrincha, Gilmar, Mauro, NĂlton Santos, Pepe, Ronaldo, VavĂĄ, MĂĄrio Zagallo, Zito and ZĂłzimo for Brazil. This group shows how dominant Brazil became from 1958 onward, as 15 of the 20 players are Brazilian. Cafuâs place on the list is particularly remarkable because his two titles came eight years apart, winning in 1994 after playing almost the entire final and again in 2002 as Brazilâs captain. Ronaldo and Passarella are the other players who won two titles in non-consecutive editions, albeit they were not important factors in one of those triumphs. List of players with more than one title PlayerCountryWorld Cup titlesYearsPelĂ©Brazil31958, 1962, 1970BelliniBrazil21958, 1962CafuBrazil21994, 2002CastilhoBrazil21958, 1962DidiBrazil21958, 1962Djalma SantosBrazil21958, 1962Giovanni FerrariItaly21934, 1938GarrinchaBrazil21958, 1962GilmarBrazil21958, 1962Guido MasettiItaly21934, 1938MauroBrazil21958, 1962Giuseppe MeazzaItaly21934, 1938Eraldo MonzeglioItaly21934, 1938NĂlton SantosBrazil21958, 1962Daniel PassarellaArgentina21978, 1986PepeBrazil21958, 1962RonaldoBrazil21994, 2002VavĂĄBrazil21958, 1962MĂĄrio ZagalloBrazil21958, 1962ZitoBrazil21958, 1962ZĂłzimoBrazil21958, 1962