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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.
“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
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.
“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.
“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.
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Troubling report surfaces on Patriots' first-round rookie
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might not feel comfortable with his blindside protection early in the upcoming season. Following troubles at left tackle in 2024, the Patriots invested in the position by drafting LSU standout Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick in April's draft. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Campbell has been trending down at training camp this summer. "All eyes are on him every practice, which is a tough spot for a rookie," Graff wrote of Campbell. "So far, he’s been about what you’d expect from a rookie. He has some strong moments, particularly in the running game. But there have been struggles in the passing game. He’s been beaten for a sack in just about every practice, which isn’t great considering he’s usually on the field each practice for only 15 or so passing plays in full-team drills. "He tends to get beaten to the inside after oversetting, and it probably doesn’t help that the Pats don’t yet know who their left guard is next to him. Still, extrapolate those numbers, and that’s allowing two sacks each NFL game if you throw the ball 30 times. Not great." Graff believes the future is "bright" for Campbell, but doesn't think he will be a top-20 left tackle in 2025. NFL scouts had questions before the draft about Campbell's 32⅝ inch (or 33 inches, depending on whether one believes the league or LSU) arm length. Some suggested he'd be better suited to play guard in the league than left tackle. If Campbell continues to give up sacks, the Patriots might consider moving the 21-year-old to the interior part of the offensive line. Per OurLads, Campbell is projected to win the left tackle starting job for Week 1. If Campbell doesn't develop quickly in the preseason, Maye's progress as a thrower in the pocket could take a hit in the upcoming season.
Steelers Spark Crazy Trade Rumors After Cowboys' Micah Parsons' Prior Comments Resurface
Khan has openly said he will never pass up the chance to explore opportunities that could improve the team. On Friday, news broke that Parsons requested a trade out of Dallas. While the possibility of landing Parsons remains a long shot, this request provides Khan with a rare window to investigate whether there’s a way to bring one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers to Pittsburgh. Earlier in February 2025, Parsons spoke with former Steelers cornerback turned analyst Bryant McFadden about the Steelers. During the conversation, McFadden joked that the Steelers logo would look good on Parsons. Parsons responded playfully, saying he would love to play for Mike Tomlin, adding fuel to the speculation that a move to Pittsburgh might not be completely out of the question. "Nah, I rock with the Steelers," Parsons said. "I said if I ever return home it was going to be Pittsburgh. I mess with Mike Tomlin the long way." It’s no secret that Tomlin is one of the most popular head coaches in the NFL. Many players have expressed a strong desire to play for him, and that reputation has sometimes helped the Steelers attract top talent. A prime example of this is when the Steelers convinced four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers to join the team, a move that energized the fanbase and boosted expectations. The idea of Parsons lining up alongside TJ Watt and the rest of Pittsburgh’s elite defense is both thrilling and intimidating. While it remains a very far-fetched possibility, Parsons’ recent comments about wanting to play for the Steelers have sparked excitement among fans. These remarks, made in 2025, add fuel to the speculation that a trade could be in the cards, even if the odds are slim. Parsons, who grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shared a message on social media Friday explaining what really led to his trade request. If Parsons has any influence over his next destination, and if Khan can work his magic, the Steelers might just have a slim but real chance to pull off a trade. Landing Parsons would instantly make Pittsburgh’s defense one of the most fearsome in NFL history, though it remains an ambitious long shot. Steelers Chances Of Trading For Micah Parsons Are Low While the thought of Parsons playing in the black and gold for the 2025 season is certainly exciting, the logistics would be very complex, though not impossible. Parsons is clearly unhappy with the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones has not helped their chances of keeping him satisfied. He officially wants out, and now is the time for Khan to see if there’s any logical way to pull off a crazy trade.
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings on Marcus Stroman Clear After Release From Yankees
The New York Yankees revamped their bullpen on Thursday, acquiring relievers Camilo Doval, David Bednar, and Jake Bird ahead of the 6 p.m. Trade Deadline. However, that spelled the end of Marcus Stroman's tenure with the team. With fellow pitchers Luis Gil (lat), Fernando Cruz (oblique), Mark Leiter Jr. (fibula), and Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) all on their way to returning, New York needed to clear a roster spot. The club cut Stroman on Friday, who has a 6.23 ERA over nine appearances this season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about Stroman before the team's bout with the Miami Marlins, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "The [public] perception around Stro, for us, did not meet the guy we got to be around for the last couple years," he said. "He's an awesome competitor. ... I feel like he's a guy I'll stay in touch with for the rest of our lives." Stroman signed a two-year deal with the Yankees in January 2024 after spending two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander was 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 30 appearances last season. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Stroman No. 22 overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. The former Duke Blue Devil stayed with Toronto until 2019, when it dealt him to the New York Mets at the Trade Deadline. He then signed a two-year deal with the Cubs in December 2021. Stroman is a two-time All-Star and was the 2017 World Baseball Classic MVP.
Micah Parsons' trade request will fall on deaf ears with Cowboys' firm stance
Jerry Jones got his wish. As we enter August and with the 2025-26 NFL season just over a month away, the Dallas Cowboys are the talk of the town and the lead story on every sports debate and talk show. Thanks to a gross mishandling of the Micah Parsons contract situation, the superstar defender publicly announced he has requested a trade from the Cowboys, while putting the organization on blast for their handling of negotiations. According to Parsons' statement, Jerry and company attempted to ice out his agent, David Mulugheta, from the talks. That led to Parsons sharing his trade request and potentially shaking up the NFL landscape. But not so fast, because the Cowboys don't have to give in to Parsons' request, and they have contractual control for the next three seasons, with no plans of caving in. "Regardless of the request, the Cowboys do not plan on moving Parsons," Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote. "Even if an agreement on an extension does not come, Dallas has all of the control around Parsons’ future and is prepared to use the franchise tag to keep him around in 2026 and 2027 if it’s needed." This sets up an interesting game of chicken. The Cowboys don't have to do a thing, while all Parsons can do is sit and wait for the contract to expire and the opportunities for the franchise tag to go away. No one wants to sit out for three years. Not only that, but Parsons would rack up millions in fines. If he's not willing to take the $50,000 fine a day for holding out of training camp, he's not going to want to give up game checks. It's an ugly situation, and a major distraction for those who just want to ball, so let's hope Jerry can come to his senses and make something happen. At the very least, give Mulugheta a call.
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