MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “This professional stage is over, and it didn’t go as we would have liked. Coaching Real Madrid has been an honor and a responsibility. I thank the club, the players and above all the fans and Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude and pride that I did my best.” A few words, but no trace of resentment, for Xabi Alonso, who took to his Instagram page to bid farewell to Real Madrid fans after yesterday’s split.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp, guest on Austrian TV channel Servus, immediately withdrew from the potential race for succession. “The divorce between Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid? This has nothing to do with me and doesn’t concern me at all,” emphasized the former Liverpool manager, who prefers to continue his role as coordinator of the Red Bull Group’s football-related activities. “Where I am now is the right place for me,” assured Klopp, though he was sorry for his Spanish colleague.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS) (ITALPRESS) – It was supposed to be only an interim appointment, but instead, Fred Grim has earned the club’s trust and will lead Ajax until the end of the season. According to the Dutch press, this is the club’s decision to hand over the team to Grim following the dismissal of John Heitinga in early November. The new technical director, Jordi Cruyff, will choose a new coach for the 2026-2027 season.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Starting from January 13, 2026, the FIFA Museum in Zurich will permanently display the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, allowing visitors to admire one of the most recent and significant symbols of world football.

The arrival of the trophy follows the inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, which last summer delivered 63 matches, 195 goals and a month of excitement across the United States, from Miami to Seattle and from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. The first champions, Chelsea, lifted the trophy in New York–New Jersey, marking the beginning of a new era in top-level global football competitions.

“The trophy,” FIFA said in a statement, “will be exhibited in the museum’s Foundations Gallery, offering visitors a striking centerpiece that reflects the evolution of modern football. Its placement is no coincidence: the space pays tribute to FIFA’s original mission of promoting international competitions and developing football worldwide. As a symbol of the latest development in global football, the trophy not only reflects these founding principles, but also strengthens the FIFA Museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate the heritage of the sport with the entire world.”

Designed by FIFA and created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co., the trophy reflects the ambition and boldness behind the new era of global football. Made of vermeil gold, it features detailed laser engravings depicting the rich history and culture of the sport, from expressive players and jubilant fans to FIFA’s founding date. As a global emblem, it includes inscriptions in 13 languages and in Braille, including Ancient Greek, Arabic, German, Hindi, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and others. The contemporary design and inclusive details of the trophy underline its role as the symbol of a competition created to unite clubs and fans from all over the world, FIFA concluded.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

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