Misc Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

Andrea Pirlo is no longer in contention to become Italy's next head coach following political backlash over his sponsorship deal with Russian betting company Fonbet. Pirlo confirmed the news himself in an Instagram post Monday.

"I heard last night that I'm no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job," said Pirlo.

Several Italian politicians raised concerns about Pirlo's role as an ambassador for Fonbet, arguing the national team coach should not hold conflicting associations given Italy's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Pirlo pushed back on the criticism, saying the sponsorship was tied to his current coaching position in the United Arab Emirates and carried no political significance.

"Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don't belong to me," said Pirlo. "My love for Italy doesn't depend on a job. It's part of my history, my identity and it will remain forever."

Pirlo had been prepared to leave his job coaching Dubai United to take the Italy role, though he was considered an unpopular choice given underwhelming spells at Juventus and Sampdoria despite his standout playing career, including Italy's 2006 World Cup title. He had emerged as a fallback option after both Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola turned down the position, which was offered by technical director Paolo Maldini and special adviser Leonardo.

Maldini had preferred Pirlo, his former AC Milan teammate, over other candidates like former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, viewing him as more receptive to promoting younger players within an attacking system. Sources indicate the collapse of the Pirlo option has left Maldini frustrated, with some reports suggesting he could consider stepping down just 16 days into his new role.

Italy has been searching for a new coach since Gennaro Gattuso departed by mutual agreement in April following the team's playoff loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that extended Italy's streak of missed World Cups to three consecutive tournaments. Mancini and Conte have re-emerged as candidates, while former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi, currently working in the Saudi Pro League, has also been mentioned as a possibility.

The final decision rests with Italian federation president Giovanni Malago, who took office in June after previously leading the Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee. Mancini led Italy to the Euro 2020 title before failing to qualify for the following World Cup and later departing for Saudi Arabia's national team. Conte guided Italy to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals and was most recently at Napoli.

The next hire will become Italy's fourth coach in as many years, continuing a turbulent stretch that began when Luciano Spalletti was dismissed after an opening qualifying loss to Norway. Italy's next matches come in September and October, when the team faces Belgium, Turkey and France in the Nations League.

Real Madrid expect to complete a deal to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande in the coming hours, sources told ESPN. The transfer is expected to total $153.8 million including add-ons, with a fixed fee between $131 million and $136.7 million.

Should the variable payments be triggered, the deal would surpass Madrid's signings of Jude Bellingham and Eden Hazard to become the club's most expensive transfer in history. Sources indicated the deal is expected to be finalized between Monday and Tuesday.

Diomande, 19, has emerged as one of soccer's top young prospects following a standout Bundesliga season in which he scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, helping Leipzig finish third. He also impressed for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, creating 11 chances across four appearances before the team's round-of-32 elimination against Norway.

Diomande's rise has been remarkably swift. He was playing at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, just two years ago before joining Spanish club Leganes in January 2025, initially featuring for the reserve team. His performances there earned him a move to Leipzig six months later, where he quickly became one of the league's standout attackers. Paris Saint-Germain had been strongly linked with Diomande before Madrid entered the race for his signature.

Separately, Madrid have grown more optimistic about signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri. ESPN previously reported that Madrid was no longer ruling out a move for Spain's World Cup-winning captain after initially expressing reservations about his injury history. Rodri's performances at the World Cup shifted opinion among senior Madrid executives.

A source indicated that Manchester City would likely want to secure a replacement before allowing Rodri, who has one year remaining on his contract, to depart. Madrid has already added Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries this summer, and the club would likely need to see further departures to accommodate additional signings under new manager Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal are exploring a potential move to sign Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior should he fail to extend his contract in the Spanish capital. The Brazil international, 26, is among several candidates the Premier League champions are considering to strengthen their attack, though the interest remains at an early stage with no guarantee it develops into an actual deal.

No club-to-club talks have taken place yet, but sources indicate the idea has support at all levels within Arsenal's organization.

Vinicius enters the final 12 months of his contract following eight seasons at Real Madrid, with no breakthrough yet reached in extension talks. Madrid would be reluctant to lose the forward on a free transfer, particularly given he would be entitled to a significant loyalty bonus next season if he remains.

Vinicius impressed during this summer's World Cup, appearing in all five of Brazil's matches and scoring four goals before the team's round-of-16 elimination against Norway under manager Carlo Ancelotti. He registered 22 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid last season as the club finished second in La Liga for a second consecutive year, trailing Barcelona by eight points and ending the campaign without a trophy.

Vinicius joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018 and has made 375 total appearances for the club, contributing 128 goals and 100 assists.

Real Madrid are working on a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with the club operating under the belief that an agreement will be reached this summer despite formal club-to-club talks not yet taking place. Rodri, 30, is entering the final year of his City contract, which runs through 2027.

Madrid's stance on Rodri shifted following his standout performance at the World Cup, where he captained Spain to the title and won the Golden Ball. Sources had previously insisted throughout the summer that Rodri was not part of Madrid's plans, but his role in Spain's championship run altered that thinking significantly.

Rodri's potential exit would mark the latest change to City's roster following Pep Guardiola's departure after a decade in charge, with Enzo Maresca now taking over. John Stones and Bernardo Silva have also left the club after their contracts expired, with Silva moving directly to Madrid.

Rodri started and captained Spain in all eight matches at the World Cup as the team won its second consecutive major tournament following Euro 2024. He is now expected to undergo surgery for a back issue, with no confirmed return date. Rodri has previously spoken about his desire to eventually play in Spain.

"Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously," Rodri told reporters in March. "Having played for Atletico before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid… there are other players who have done that before. Maybe not direct transfers, but eventually. You can't turn down one of the world's best clubs."

Rodri returned to action for City in May 2025 after an ACL injury sidelined him for most of the 2024-25 season, then made 33 appearances last season around two additional injury absences. City has already reinforced its midfield this summer with the $155 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and is also pursuing Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old Morocco international who impressed at the World Cup.

New City manager Enzo Maresca addressed the Rodri speculation during his first press conference with the club Friday.

"Around big players there is always speculation," said Maresca. "I'm not worried about that. I think it's normal. Also because they won the World Cup, he was the best player or one of the best players. Every manager wants to have Rodri because he's a top player. But now surgery on I think Monday. He needs holiday. He needs to rest. He needs to recover and then he will be back here with us."

Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the 2023 Champions League, scoring the winning goal in that final. He has made 298 appearances for the club, contributing 28 goals and 32 assists.

Real Madrid have entered the pursuit to sign Yan Diomande, opening talks with RB Leipzig over a potential deal for the 19-year-old winger. Paris Saint-Germain had previously been considered Diomande's preferred destination, but the French club has yet to offer a fee sufficient to convince Leipzig to consider a sale this summer.

Madrid's entry into the race has shifted the dynamics surrounding Diomande's future, creating fresh competition for his signature. The Athletic previously reported on June 24 that Madrid had been targeting an attacking right-sided player as a contingency in case Brahim Diaz departs, though the Morocco international has expressed a desire to remain in the Spanish capital.

Diomande, who joined Leipzig a year ago from Spanish club Leganes, had also drawn earlier interest from Liverpool, with that offer approaching $115 million in value. Leipzig has held out for a fee closer to $141 million while simultaneously working to extend Diomande's contract, which currently runs through 2030.

Leipzig managing director of sport Marcel Schafer addressed the club's stance on Diomande's future.

"Our clear intention is that Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year," said Schafer.

Madrid has been active throughout the transfer window following Jose Mourinho's return as head coach, adding Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella. The Athletic also reported earlier Friday that Madrid is working on a separate deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City.

Diomande featured in all four of Ivory Coast's matches at this year's World Cup, helping the team advance out of the group stage before elimination by Norway in the round of 32. He posted 12 goals and nine assists across 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, missing just one league match due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, as Leipzig finished third and secured Champions League qualification.

Should Diomande leave, he would likely become Leipzig's most lucrative sale in club history, surpassing the fees the club received for Benjamin Sesko from Manchester United in 2025 and Josko Gvardiol from Manchester City in 2023.

Diomande's rise has been remarkably swift. Just 18 months ago, he was playing for DME Sports Academy in Florida before signing with Leganes, where he spent three months with the reserve team before making his professional debut against Real Madrid. His breakout performances at Leganes, particularly his dribbling ability against Villarreal and Real Valladolid, drew Leipzig's attention after fewer than 500 minutes of senior football.

Since arriving in Germany, Diomande has led the Bundesliga in dribble attempts while posting the highest success rate among wingers across Europe with at least 50 take-on attempts last season. He has also scored three goals in 13 appearances for Ivory Coast, including standout performances at the Africa Cup of Nations and during Ivory Coast's run through a difficult World Cup group featuring Germany and Ecuador.

Jurgen Klopp warned journalists Friday that he would walk away from his new role as Germany head coach if the media "behave badly" toward him or his family. Klopp addressed reporters during his official unveiling, marking his return to management more than two years after leaving Liverpool.

Klopp laid out specific conditions for remaining in the position, referencing the scrutiny his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann faced from media and former national team figures during his tenure.

"The day you don't want me anymore, you say so," said Klopp. "And I'm gone. Without severance pay. If you say tomorrow that he's rubbish, I'm gone. Not just one person, it would have to be more than that. If the DFB says he's rubbish, I'm gone. If you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace, I'm gone."

Klopp also criticized inaccuracies in recent reporting surrounding his appointment and his prior arrangement with Red Bull, where he served as head of global soccer.

"We'll need you (the press) on this path we're taking," said Klopp. "It would be important if we prioritised accuracy over speed in our reporting going forward."

Klopp replaces Nagelsmann, whose tenure ended following a disappointing round-of-32 World Cup exit to Paraguay this summer. Klopp signed a contract running through 2030, covering both the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup.

Klopp suggested Friday that this could be the final coaching role of his career.

"Jurgen Klopp doesn't have a career after the national team," said Klopp. "Ideally, this is the highlight of my career."

Klopp had been working as a pundit for German broadcaster Magenta during this summer's World Cup, a role during which he grew visibly frustrated with the press on at least one occasion. He walked out of an interview with ARD after being asked about Bastian Schweinsteiger's controversial comments regarding the Ivory Coast national team.

"No, no. I have no chance; I have no chance to answer this question," said Klopp, before leaving the interview. "Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It's not my job that everyone likes it, but this is a serious subject and I don't even know what is appropriate to say."

Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 after eight seasons and one Premier League title in 2019-20. Longtime assistant Pep Lijnders will join him as part of the new Germany coaching staff.

Pep Guardiola has declined the opportunity to become Italy's next national team head coach, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions. The Italian Football Federation had been in talks with Guardiola about succeeding Gennaro Gattuso, who departed the role in April following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Sources speaking anonymously to protect relationships said conversations with Guardiola had not progressed and he ultimately turned down the position. FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and federation president Giovanni Malago had previously confirmed the talks earlier this week, describing the pursuit as part of the organization's broader effort to target elite coaching candidates.

Maldini also revealed the federation had approached Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti about the role, though Ancelotti remains under contract with Brazil through 2030.

Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season after a decade with the club, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the 2023 Champions League. He has never managed at the international level, building his reputation instead through club spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City. The Athletic previously reported that Guardiola had a verbal agreement to become England's manager in 2024 before ultimately choosing to remain at City.

Italy's coaching search stems from a difficult stretch for the federation. The team missed the 2026 World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs, prompting the departures of both Gattuso and former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, along with former captain Gianluigi Buffon from his role as head of delegation. It marked Italy's third consecutive missed World Cup, extending a run in which the four-time champions have not advanced past the group stage since winning the tournament in 2006, aside from their Euro 2020 title under Roberto Mancini.

Maldini addressed the ongoing search Thursday following an FIGC visit to Serie A headquarters.

"Guardiola? We can't confirm anything yet, you've identified one of our targets, but we've also spoken with Ancelotti," said Maldini. "It seemed right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability. I feel a great sense of responsibility and pressure; there's an ambitious project here. It's a call to arms, when Italy calls, it's hard to say no."

Real Madrid is reconsidering a transfer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri and a deal can no longer be completely ruled out. The stance marks a shift from recent weeks, when sources indicated Rodri was not on Madrid's list of potential targets, with president Florentino Perez expressing concern over his injury history and new coach Jose Mourinho favoring a different type of midfield profile.

Rodri, Spain's World Cup-winning captain, rediscovered his best form during the tournament, a level that previously earned him the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Some influential Madrid executives have since grown more open to pursuing his signing, though ESPN has not confirmed that formal negotiations have taken place between the two clubs.

Rodri turned 30 last month and has experienced a slow recovery from a knee ligament tear suffered in September 2024. Sources said Perez has long admired the player but remained hesitant given lingering questions about his physical condition, a concern shaped partly by Madrid's past struggles with veterans such as David Alaba and Dani Carvajal recovering from serious knee injuries.

Rodri had not previously been considered a realistic target this summer, with Mourinho instead naming alternatives such as Mateus Fernandes and Enzo Fernandez. Madrid also opted to renew Aurelien Tchouameni's contract, given the Frenchman plays a similar role.

Rodri's standout World Cup performance, earning tournament MVP honors after leading Spain through the knockout stage, including wins over France in the semifinal and Argentina in the final, has shifted the club's internal calculus. Sources said senior Madrid executives, including director general Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat, are now among those pushing for his potential arrival.

Mourinho's reservations reportedly stem from his belief that a different type of midfielder would better fit his intended style of play, though sources indicated that view is not considered an insurmountable obstacle. Madrid has already reversed course on other targets this summer, having signed Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva after previously ruling out both moves following Mourinho's arrival.

Any potential deal would likely require departures elsewhere in Madrid's midfield to create space. Eduardo Camavinga is viewed as the player Madrid would be most open to moving on, though the France international, who was left off his country's World Cup squad, has expressed a desire to remain at the club. One source suggested Rodri's arrival could ultimately help convince Camavinga to depart.

Rodri is expected to undergo minor surgery on a back issue this summer, according to a source, though the procedure is not expected to result in an extended absence.

Luka Modric signed a contract extension Thursday to remain with AC Milan for another season. The Croatia midfielder, who will turn 41 in September, joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer in 2025 after leaving Real Madrid and made 37 appearances last season, scoring two goals.

Modric addressed the extension in a club statement.

"I am thrilled to stay at AC Milan, where you made me feel welcomed and loved from the very first day," said Modric. "After a season below our expectations, the desire to bounce back is immense. A new season and a new challenge await us, a project I believe in and that motivates me. I am ready to continue to give everything again for this shirt and I am so proud to keep wearing these colours."

The announcement came shortly after Modric returned from his fifth World Cup, where he started all four of Croatia's matches and surpassed 200 international appearances. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner remained on the field for 109 minutes when Croatia's tournament ended in a controversial 2-1 round-of-32 loss to Portugal that included a disallowed goal.

Milan described Modric's continued presence at the club in its statement.

"One of the finest and most iconic players in world football, the Croatian will continue his journey in the Rossoneri shirt," Milan said.

Milan finished fifth in Serie A during Modric's debut season at San Siro and will compete in the Europa League this year under new manager Ruben Amorim.

Chelsea are finalizing a deal worth roughly $69.2 million to sign Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix. The France international is scheduled to undergo a medical before signing a six-year contract that would keep him at Chelsea through 2032.

Palace is exploring potential replacements for Lacroix, including Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima, with Trabzonspor's Chibuike Nwaiwu viewed as an alternative option if a deal for Matsima cannot be reached.

The Athletic previously reported on June 23 that Lacroix was among Chelsea's primary transfer targets, with several other centre-backs also under consideration. Chelsea has also shown interest in Como defender Jacobo Ramon, who enjoyed a strong debut Serie A season under former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Lacroix was a regular fixture in Palace's lineup last season, making 55 appearances across all competitions with three goals and three assists. He played the full match in Palace's Community Shield penalty shootout win over Liverpool in August and started the club's 1-0 Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano, which delivered Palace's first European trophy.

His performances helped earn Lacroix a spot in France's 26-man World Cup squad alongside Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta and former Palace forward Michael Olise. He made three tournament appearances, including in France's third-place playoff loss to England.

Palace signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an $19.5 million fee with up to $3.3 million in potential add-ons. He has made 98 appearances across two seasons with the club.

Chelsea has prioritized adding a new centre-back this summer, with the futures of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr potentially hinging on the arrival of a new defender and their willingness to accept a reduced role in the squad's pecking order.