Italy have appointed former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as their manager.
The AC Milan legend replaces Luciano Spalletti, who announced his own sacking at a news conference last week.
Gattuso, 47, made 73 appearances for Italy and was a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad, and will now lead his country into the same tournament 20 years later.
Italy won Euro 2020 but failed to qualify for last summer’s tournament, and have also not made it to the past two World Cups.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed Gattuso will be presented to the media on Thursday.
“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football,” FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said.
Gattuso’s managerial record
Gattuso’s managerial record is patchy, to say the least.
Since retiring as a player in 2013, Italy will become the 10th team he has managed in just 12 years.
The longest period he has stayed at any club has been two seasons with then third-tier Italian side Pisa, who he tasted the most success with.
After being appointed there in August 2015, he led the side to promotion to Serie B at the first attempt but, after finishing bottom of the second tier the following season, Gattuso resigned.
That was the second time the Italian has resigned from a club, having done the same with Greek side OFI Crete in his previous job.
In May 2021, the Italian agreed to become head coach of Serie A side Fiorentina, effective from 1 July. However, on 17 June, just two weeks before his contract was due to begin, Gattuso and Fiorentina mutually rescinded the agreement.
Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica took victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours with a privately entered Ferrari.
The number 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, also driven by China’s Yifei Ye and Britain’s Phil Hanson, took the chequered flag 14.084 seconds ahead of the number six Porsche 963 of France Kevin Estre.
Pole Kubica, once considered one of the world’s best F1 drivers as part of a group of young drivers which included Lewis Hamilton, won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix for BMW-Sauber.
But three years later, as an established F1 driver for Renault, Kubica suffered life-changing injuries in a rallying crash which seriously compromised his right wrist.
The works number 51 Ferrari 499P driven by Antonio Giovinazzi took third place, with the sister 50 car driven by Antonio Fuoco fourth.
Both factory Ferraris, who had been competing for the victory until the final hour, were nursing problems in the final stages.
It is the third victory in a row at Le Mans for the 499P, which won in the top class for the first time in 50 years in 2023 – the 100th anniversary of the famous race.
Kubica, 40, who drove a long final stint, said over team radio: “It’s been a long 24 hours but an enjoyable one – grazie mille, grazie a tutti.”
“Winning Le Mans is special,” he added later to TNT Sports. “It’s been a demanding week – we made everything possible. We kept our heads down when we had to push, and when not we took care of the tyres.
“I’m happy for myself, my team-mates, AF Corse and Ferrari winning three times in row. A better scenario, we could not have.”
The sell-out race, which sees around 300,000 fans gather in north-west France, was a soporific event in 2025, with fewer incidents and accidents between the 62 cars which began the race than usual.
Getty Images
V12 rings out again at Le Mans
Sportscars have seen a big resurgence in popularity since the introduction of the ‘hypercar’ class in 2021, with many top car manufacturers returning to the grid to benefit from more open designs, controlled by the ‘balance of performance’ rule.
Ferrari, Peugeot, Alpine, Cadillac, Porsche, Aston Martin and BMW have all retuned in recent years, joining Toyota.
Hyundai will join the hypercar class next year – under the Genesis brand – with hypercars from Ford and McLaren arriving in 2027.
In a largely uneventful race, one of the most exciting prospects was the return of Aston Martin in the top hypercar class, with the 007 and 009 Valkyrie.
The V12 6.5 litre machines have wowed fans with their aggressive, high-pitched engine note and bodywork design reminiscent of sportscars in its 1970s heyday.
The lowly finishing position was largely expected by the team, who were happy to see both cars come home after 24 hours of racing.
Aston Martin’s drivers included highly rated British drivers Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble and Ross Gunn.
Between the sound of the Valkyrie and the Cadillac V Series R’s muscle-car grunt, the hypercar class is proving popular beyond the famous event at Le Mans, with more tickets being sold at the other seven events as part of the World Endurance Championship season.
In the lower protoype LMP2 class, Inter Europol’s 43 car took victory, with Britain’s W Series winner Jamie Chadwick retiring the Idec Sport 18 car earlier in the race.
The LMGT3 class was won by the Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3, with Richard Leitz of Austria crossing the line.
The next round of the World Endurance Championship is the Six Hours of Sao Paulo in 13 July.
Representative Rohit Khanna says the US needs a ‘21st Century Marshall Plan’ to regain prosperity and unity.
United States President Donald Trump promised Americans that his crackdown on immigration would lead to a better life, but “now they’re seeing that isn’t working”, argues Democratic Congressman Rohit Khanna.
Khanna tells host Steve Clemons that the Democratic Party “needs to respect American voters”. Americans “want to have hope again in America … They’re tired of threatening to arrest each other.”
Watch the best shots from Tatjana Maria’s victory against Amanda Anisimova in the Queen’s Club singles final as she becomes the event’s first women’s champion since 1973.
MATCH REPORT: Qualifier who became champion – Maria wins Queen’s title
Danny Jones’ wife Georgia has hinted things may be getting back on track for the couple following the Maura Higgins kiss scandal at the Brit Awards
Danny Jones and wife Georgia look to be getting their relationship back on track (Image: Getty Images)
Danny Jones’ wife Georgia has posted about him for the first time since THAT Maura Higgins kiss. The 38-year-old, who shares seven-year-old son Cooper with McFly star Danny, 39, paid tribute to her husband on Father’s Day.
Sharing a snap with her own dad first, former Miss England Georgia then shared a sweet snap of Cooper hugging dad Danny. She cutely captioned the post: “For the Dads. Happy Father’s Day.”
It’s the first time Danny has appeared on Georgia’s grid since he was spotted kissing his I’m A Celebrity co-star Maura at a Brits after party back in March. Danny, who has been married to Georgia for over a decade, issued a grovelling public apology after the drunken snog.
In a statement, he said: “Hello everyone, sorry it’s taken me a while to post this but I’ve taken some time out to be with those closest to me. I want to deeply apologise to my wife and family for putting them in this situation. I love them so much and we’ll continue to deal with this privately.” He added to fans: “I love you guys, thank you for your patience, understanding, and support. See you all soon, Danny.”
READ MORE: Maura Higgins confirmed for major TV show after being replaced on Love Island
Georgia shared this post of son Cooper hugging dad Danny for Father’s Day (Image: Instagram )
After the Maura kiss came to light, Georgia temporarily moved out of their family home. Insiders claimed that the entire ordeal has been “embarrassing” for the mother-of-one, who tied the knot with Danny in 2014.
Article continues below
Back in March, a source claimed that while “they may still be married, they are not together and she is still working out what she wants to do.”
But it’s thought Georgia is now back living in the family home in West London and has returned to host her podcast, Mum’s The Word! with pal Kelsey Parker.
A source told the Mirror in April: “Georgia is returning to face the music after weeks away. She took some time for herself after the incident blew up but now she’s ready to talk.”
“This wasn’t some grand gesture where she suddenly packed her bags and left. It was just a girlie few nights at a close pal’s flat. Yes, she wanted some space,but she is home now,and while things are still fragile, they are trying to work things through,” a separate source confirmed.
Danny, on the other hand, is reported to be keen to work things out and get his marriage with Georgia back on track. “He has made it clear he will do anything to make it work. He loves Georgia and wants their marriage to get back on track,” a source told The Sun.
Last month Danny skipped an appearance at the BAFTA TV awards after it was rumoured Maura would be there. The 34-year-old made a return to the spotlight on the BAFTA red carpet.
Article continues below
Though Maura has remained tight-lipped on the kiss, a source told The Mirror that Maura had been in a “bad way and really struggling”. They said: “Maura is a tough character but the reaction to events has been utterly relentless, and it’s fair to say it’s taken its toll.
“She has found all of this very difficult to navigate. She appreciates she’s in the public eye and there is extra interest around her, but the abuse is off the charts, and people need to calm down. She is trying to treat things as business as usual, but it’s hard.”
READ MORE: My dad said this last minute activity was the best Father’s Day gift he’s ever received
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick is currently suspended by the BBC after using a disabled slur when he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick is said to be trying to right his wrongs after his Strictly scandal(Image: ITV)
Jamie Borthwick is said to be “attempting to right the wrongs in my life” after being suspended by the BBC. The EastEnders star was giving his marching orders after it emerged he’d used an offensive disabled slur while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 30-year-old actor has since apologised for using the derogatory word to describe locals in Blackpool, where Strictly filmed their special ballroom episode six months ago. It’s reported footage was made of Jamie using the word, which was then sent to one of his friends.
Issuing a grovelling apology last week, Jamie said: “I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly.
“I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely. Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.”
READ MORE: Wynne Evans says Strictly is ‘not a safe environment’ as he blasts BBC show
Actor Jamie is hopeful he can return to his role as Jay Brown in EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
In a last ditch bid to clear up his act, Jamie is reportedly set to meet with BBC bosses in the hope he could get his EastEnders job back. He’s starred as Jay Brown in the long-running BBC soap since 2006.
Article continues below
But in texts to an ex-partner, The Sun reports the star as saying he’s had time to reflect on “decisions that have led me here”. And at the moment it’s still “not clear” if he will keep his job.
A source has claimed Jamie told the ex: “I accept the karma that has come my way due to some bad choices”, adding: “Had I the opportunity to turn the clock back I would do so and do everything differently.”
He went on to say he is “attempting to right the wrongs in my life” and “want to sincerely apologise for the mistakes I made and for hurting you and how I handled the whole situation.”
It’s not the first Strictly scandal Jamie has been involved with since appearing on the show. Footage reportedly emerged of him brandishing a sex toy sent to him by celebrity co-star Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, who has also found himself under fire for his behaviour on Strictly.
The inappropriate video was said to have been shared in a messaging group with other Strictly stars, who it is suggested did not expect nor want to be included in an exchange that had a sexual connotation. The clip is thought to have been filmed just two days after Wynne was recorded making a sexualised comment about pro dancer Janette Manrara.
Wynne, who was a BBC Radio Wales presenter, has since been dropped by the BBC following an apology saying that he used “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
Article continues below
Speaking about Jamie’s suspension, a BBC spokesperson said: “This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.”
READ MORE: My dad said this last minute activity was the best Father’s Day gift he’s ever received
