MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “It was a short experience, but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you. Thank you for the trust you gave me from the very first day. I will remember you as a coach with clear ideas and great knowledge of football. Best of luck for your next chapter.”

Kylian Mbappé took to social media to bid farewell to Xabi Alonso, who as of today is no longer Real Madrid’s head coach. Under his guidance, the French forward scored 29 goals and provided five assists. Other players, including Ceballos, Huijsen and Tchouameni, also paid tribute to their now former coach.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Xabi Alonso is no longer the head coach of Real Madrid. The day after the defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, the club announced in a statement that, “by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as head coach of the first team to an end. Xabi Alonso,” the statement continues, “will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridismo, because he is a legend of Real Madrid and has represented the values of our club at all times. Real Madrid will always be his home. The club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for the work and dedication shown during this period and wishes them the very best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”

Real Madrid have opted for an internal solution: Álvaro Arbeloa will take over from Xabi Alonso. He has been in charge of Castilla (the Blancos’ second team) since last June and has developed as a coach within the club since 2020.

Arbeloa, who will turn 43 next January 17, is very much at home at Real Madrid. A product of the club’s youth academy, after spells with Deportivo and Liverpool he returned in 2009 and, until 2016, made 238 appearances, winning eight trophies, including two Champions League titles and one La Liga.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MARSEILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Roberto De Zerbi has tied his future at Marseille to Mehdi Benatia. After the French Super Cup defeat, the former defender and current OM sporting director hinted that he may soon leave. “Soon you’ll see that there will be other people in our place, and we’ll still have to give them time to work, because in Marseille you never have time,” Benatia’s words, which De Zerbi also reiterated today.

“Benatia is in love with Marseille, perhaps even more than I am, given that he was born and raised here,” the coach commented. “He’s the one who brought me here. I’m a loyal and upright person. The day Benatia leaves, I’ll leave too.”

According to De Zerbi, there’s currently no indication of the sporting director leaving, but he reiterates, “I got here thanks to Medhi and Pablo (president Longoria). If one day one of these two is no longer here, since they’re the ones who brought me here, I’ll leave too. Not because I can’t work without them, because I already have. But out of fairness. In any case, I don’t think Benatia was referring to a departure at the end of the season; he didn’t mention it to me. But you’d have to ask him directly.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Giacomo Raspadori’s future remains a mystery. Roma have reached an agreement in principle with Atlético Madrid (a €2 million loan with an option to buy for €18.5 million, which becomes mandatory with the addition of bonuses in the event of Champions League qualification and based on the player’s appearances), but they still haven’t received the forward’s approval.

Spanish media reports suggest he’s tempted by a sensational return to Napoli, but he’s still unsure about leaving the club. On the eve of the Copa del Rey match against Deportivo La Coruña, Simeone tried him out in the starting XI alongside Baena and Griezmann, confirming his continued confidence in the player.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Diego Simeone has admitted his mistake. On the eve of the Copa del Rey match against Deportivo La Coruña, El Cholo returned to the spat he had with Vinicius during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal lost to Real Madrid, when he addressed the Brazilian by saying: “Remember, Florentino will kick you out.”

“I would like to apologize to Mr. Florentino Pérez and to Vinicius. I did not behave well at that moment and I admit it,” said the Atlético Madrid coach. “The team that wins deserves to go through, and they deserved to advance, just as Barcelona later deserved to win the final. Xabi Alonso’s criticism of me? I have nothing else to add,” Simeone replied, after his colleague said he had crossed the line.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – With the Zirkzee deal frozen and Raspadori on standby, Roma are preparing to close the deal for Robinio Vaz. According to RMC Sport, an agreement has already been reached between the Giallorossi and Marseille for the 18-year-old striker, who would move to the capital on loan with an obligation to buy set at €25 million, bonuses included.

Vaz – who since returning from Kuwait has been training separately to avoid risks – is now reportedly negotiating a five-year contract with Roma. The 18-year-old forward, who scored four goals in 14 Ligue 1 appearances in the first part of the season, is under contract until 2028, but talks over a renewal had stalled.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has voiced concern over the prospect of the United States seizing Greenland from Denmark by force, warning that such rhetoric threatens European territorial integrity.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that the autonomous Danish territory is vital to American national security, saying Washington would acquire it “the easy way or the hard way” and declining to rule out military action.

Speaking in a televised interview, Abela said the language being used was alarming, given that Denmark is a member of the European Union.

He noted that any threat to Danish sovereignty could activate EU treaty obligations, including Article 42(7), which requires member states to provide aid and assistance if one is the victim of armed aggression.

An attack on Denmark could also, in theory, trigger NATO’s collective defence clause under Article 5.

Despite his concerns, Abela said Malta’s relationship with the United States remained strong, even if he did not agree with all actions taken by the current US administration.

“Diplomacy still has value,” he said, stressing that dialogue was key to Malta maintaining close ties with major powers.

Abela added that Malta possessed the experience and resilience required to navigate today’s geopolitical challenges, citing the Russia–Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.

– photo Malta Laburist Party –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Recent spells of bad weather across Italy and other key trading partners are having a direct negative effect on Malta’s food imports, raising concerns about prices and availability.

Severe storms and flooding in parts of Italy have disrupted agricultural production and transport networks, slowing down exports to Malta.

As a small island nation that relies heavily on imported food, Malta is particularly vulnerable to such external climate shocks. Importers have reported delays and reduced shipments of essential goods, including wheat, cereals, and fresh produce.

These disruptions are already driving up costs, with higher import prices expected to be passed on to consumers in the coming weeks. Experts warn that continued unstable weather could further strain food supplies and highlight Malta’s dependence on foreign markets.

The situation has renewed calls for stronger food security strategies, including diversification of suppliers and investment in local production. Malta relies heavily on food imports, with estimates showing that around 70 % of the country’s food products are imported to meet local demand — particularly for fresh, processed, and staple goods — because domestic agriculture produces only a small fraction of what the population consumes.

– Photo xf3/Italpress –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The Manchester United board is looking for an interim manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, 14 months after his arrival at the club. Darren Fletcher has taken over as manager while waiting to find a permanent replacement, and according to the English press, Michael Carrick, who played 464 times for the Red Devils as a midfielder, is in pole position.

Having served as assistant manager for three years under José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Carrick would be preferred over the latter, who led the team from 2018 to 2021. The interim role at United would not be a new one for Carrick, who previously took over following Solskjaer’s departure in November 2021, sitting on the bench three times : in a Champions League group stage match against Villarreal (0-2 at La Ceramica) and in two Premier League matches against Chelsea (1-1 at Stamford Bridge) and Arsenal (3-2 at Old Trafford). The former England international (34 appearances) then moved to Middlesbrough for his first managerial stint (136 appearances). The decision is expected in the next few hours and, after discussions between managers and candidates, the 44-year-old English manager could finish the season at United, before the arrival of a new manager this summer.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Most tenants in Malta’s private rental market are financially overburdened, with only a small minority able to afford their homes without breaching recommended housing cost limits, a new study has found.

The report, published by Solidarjetà and based on Housing Authority data, assessed 38 household scenarios against median rents across multiple localities. It found that affordability is “the exception, not the rule” for renters.

Using the Housing Authority benchmark that housing costs should not exceed 25% of disposable income, the study classified households from “affordable” to “overburdened”. Only three scenarios met affordability criteria, and only with government subsidies.

Rising property values have worsened the situation. Since 2017, house prices have climbed by 59%, with Malta’s total housing value tripling to €88 billion over a decade. Rents have increased faster than wages and cost-of-living adjustments.

Single minimum-wage earners cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment in any of the 20 localities studied, while even individuals earning €35,000 a year are overburdened across all localities and apartment sizes.

The report also highlights flaws in the Housing Benefit Scheme, warning of a “subsidy trap” where earning slightly above eligibility thresholds can result in the loss of hundreds of euros in monthly support.

Regionally, the Northern Harbour area is the least affordable, while Gozo remains out of reach for many unless higher subsidies apply. Families fare worst, with couples and children largely unable to afford median rents.

Solidarjetà called for rent controls, expanded housing benefits, longer leases, and a major increase in public and affordable housing, warning that without intervention, affordability pressures will continue to intensify.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews