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Atalanta have confirmed the appointment of Raffaele Palladino as the club’s new head coach. The announcement follows the dismissal of Ivan Juric, who was relieved of his duties just months after taking charge. The former Roma and Southampton coach was sacked after a disappointing run of six Serie A matches without a win.

Atalanta confirms Palladino after sacking Juric

A 3-0 defeat to Sassuolo extended Atalanta’s winless run in Serie A to six games, leaving them 13th in the league table. Despite a midweek Champions League victory over Marseille, the Sassuolo loss proved too damaging, and Juric was subsequently sacked by the club on Monday. Atalanta have now officially confirmed the appointment of Palladino as their new head coach, replacing Juric. His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter as the club aims to revive its domestic form and climb back up the Serie A standings.

The statement from Atalanta read: “Atalanta BC is pleased to announce that the role of technical director of the First Team has been entrusted to Raffaele Palladino. Palladino has signed a contract with the Nerazzurri until June 30, 2027.

“He will be followed at the Nerazzurri by Stefano Citterio (assistant coach), Federico Peluso (technical assistant), Fabio Corabi (athletic trainer), Nicola Riva (assistant athletic trainer), Andrea Ramponi (match analyst) and Mattia Casella (match analyst).” 

AdvertisementGettyEx-Juventus winger takes over in Bergamo

Palladino began his coaching career with Monza’s youth setup, working first with the Under-15 side and then the Primavera team. His impressive work at youth level earned him a promotion in 2022 to the senior side after the club dismissed Giovanni Stroppa. Palladino made an immediate impact, guiding Monza to their first-ever top-flight victory with a memorable 1-0 win over Juventus. He went on to secure Monza’s safety in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Serie A seasons, earning praise for his tactical acumen and composure under pressure.

In the 2024-25 season, Palladino took charge of Fiorentina, where he continued to impress. Under his guidance, Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A. His side also reached the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they were eventually eliminated by Real Betis. After a successful season, Palladino parted ways with Fiorentina at the end of the campaign. Across his managerial career so far, he has recorded 51 wins and 35 draws in 126 matches.

Juric's torrid time at Atalanta

Atalanta’s 3-0 defeat to Sassuolo summed up their struggles under Juric, as the club managed just one win in their last nine matches across all competitions, including six winless games in Serie A. The team’s biggest issue has been their lack of goals, having scored only four times in their last seven league outings. This poor run has left Atalanta nine points adrift of the top four and just six points clear of the relegation zone. Coach Juric appeared unable to inspire his players, many of whom looked disinterested and unmotivated during the Sassuolo defeat. Reports also suggest growing tensions in the dressing room, with key players such as Ademola Lookman and Marco Carnesecchi no longer on good terms with the tactician. The current situation marks one of Atalanta’s worst spells in the last eleven years, a sharp contrast to the high standards set during Gian Piero Gasperini’s successful tenure.

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Palladino will use the international break to analyse his new Atalanta team in detail, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Adopting a system similar to Gasperini did with the Bergamo team, the coach who brought the best out of Atalanta over the past decade, Palladino aims to maximise the potential of the Nerazzurri squad. One player who could benefit from his arrival is USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah. The midfielder, on loan at Atalanta from AC Milan, will hope that Palladino can help him regain his place in the USMNT squad after being left out by Mauricio Pochettino.

While the selectors named an expanded squad, barring injuries the final choice comes down to two players from three

Alex Malcolm05-Nov-20253:09

Australia’s Ashes squad: No Konstas, Labuschagne to open?

It all hinges on Green’s bowling capabilityIt was known from a long way out that Cameron Green and Beau Webster would be picked in the squad together. The two have played in the same XI in Australia’s last four Test matches. But Green was a specialist batter at No. 3, a spot he had only batted in once in first-class cricket prior, and was not bowling with Marnus Labuschagne opening in one of them before Sam Konstas replaced Labuschagne in the other three.Related

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Green ended up playing very well in the last two Tests on very difficult pitches in West Indies and was arguably Australia’s best batter across those matches. But now that he’s back bowling, the need for two allrounders as opposed to a better structured batting line-up comes into question.However, Green’s bowling progression from back surgery has not quite gone to plan. He has been bowling in the nets since June without interruption, but has only sent down four overs in matches so far. Some minor side soreness saw him withdrawn from bowling in the last Shield game. He instead bowled in the nets and on the centre wicket post game in order to control the intensity.It is understood he has bowled up to 8-10 overs across multiple spells in singular net sessions already. Bailey confirmed he would bowl 15-20 overs in Western Australia’s next Shield game against Queensland at the WACA ground starting on November 11, which would equate to roughly 8-10 overs per innings. How he gets through those overs and how he bowls from a skill perspective could dictate the shape of the Test XI.If he gets through unscathed and bowls well, and the selectors are confident he can deliver the same if not more in the first Test, that will spell bad news for Webster if the selectors believe the sum of Australia’s parts look better with one allrounder and three specialist top three batters. Webster has done nothing wrong in his Test career so far. He’s made four half-centuries in 12 innings on difficult pitches, averaging 34.63 at No.6. By comparison, Green has averaged 38.72 in his last 12 Test innings with all bar one coming at Nos. 3-4 including his 174 not out in Wellington and his recent scores of 52, 46, and 42 on the nightmare pitches in the Caribbean.Webster also has eight wickets at 23.25 but has benefited from those same pitches with the ball. Green’s home Test record with the ball is far superior to even Webster’s Shield record. Green has 22 Test wickets at 25.63 in Australia, striking at 52.1 including dismissing Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes twice each and Ollie Pope once in the 2021-22 Ashes series.Jake Weatherald’s 94 against WA was his standout innings so far this season•Getty ImagesWeatherald could complement KhawajaThe selectors have been desperate to find a solution at the top of the order since David Warner retired. If Green can bowl the requisite overs, and Webster is squeezed out, then Jake Weatherald will be the sixth different opener to partner Usman Khawaja in the last 15 Test matches since Warner retired.Unlike the elevations of Steven Smith, Travis Head and Labuschagne, and the selections of Nathan McSweeney and Konstas, Weatherald is clearly the best performed domestic red-ball opener in Australia over the last 12 months. He has scored 1391 runs at 53.50 in 26 innings since the start of last summer with four centuries and seven half-centuries for Tasmania and Australia A. The fact that Matt Renshaw was so highly fancied by many to pip Weatherald for selection when Renshaw has made 653 first-class runs at 34.36 with three centuries and one fifty in the same period was odd.Beyond the runs, Bailey was extremely complimentary of Weatherald’s style. He has made his runs at a brisk strike rate of 68.65. Khawaja’s Test career rate is 48.56 while Labuschagne struck at 41.47 in his last 14 Test innings before he was dropped. There were times against India last summer where the scoreboard was not moving and it led to Konstas’ inclusion. But Bailey noted that Weatherald’s repeatable method, his first-class experience and the fact his game does not change innings to innings was a big reason for his selection ahead of Konstas.Bailey cited Weatherald’s recent match-winning innings of 94 off 99 against Western Australia in a low-scoring Shield game in Hobart as an example of what he can bring.”That innings is a good example, I think, of what Jake does really well,” Bailey said. “I thought he counter-attacked. It was a wicket that had a little bit in it. Others around him were finding it challenging, and he put pressure back onto the bowlers. And the way he did that, he drove nicely, played off the back foot nicely, he was busy. I think that’s a good example of what he looks like at his best.”Marnus Labuschagne has made five centuries in his last eight innings•Getty ImagesLabuschagne opens or bats at No.3Despite Bailey saying that no decisions have been made on the XI with 16 days to go, it is clear Labuschagne is locked in to return. It would be ridiculous to leave him out after five centuries in his last eight domestic innings for Queensland when the selectors specifically asked him to go away and find his best game after axing him in the Caribbean.But the decision on Green and Webster will dictate where Labuschagne bats. All of his runs for Queensland have come at No. 3. Australia’s selectors do not direct state teams to bat players in certain positions. Labuschagne, as Queensland captain, has batted himself at No. 3 in all those games. It is his preferred position and where he has scored all 11 of his Test centuries. However, he does have two first-class centuries opening the batting and did open in the WTC final. Bailey stopped short of guaranteeing Labuschagne would return to No. 3.”No, not necessarily,” Bailey said. “I think Marn’s got a game that could sit anywhere. It could be three. I think I’ve said a lot in the past if you can bat in the top three, you’ve probably got a skill set that’s capable of opening the batting. I think a lot of those things will be determined by what other resources you need and the makeup of those around you, and is it complementary?”People clearly have spots where they’ve batted the majority of their career and they all have different records when they do change position. But he can bat three, he could open. He’s got the skillset for both, but he’s been looking pretty good of late.”The question of players complementing each other is the biggest hint Bailey could give as to the preferred order. It is clear that the selectors would prefer Khawaja and Labuschagne don’t open together. Labuschagne’s most prolific batting partnerships in Tests have come batting with Warner, Smith, Head and Matthew Wade. He’s averaged above 50 with all four who are busy and free-flowing players at their best and has had multiple century stands with each. He’s had 48 Test partnerships with Khawaja by comparison and averaged 31.61, albeit with two century stands. There is a thought within the Australian camp that Labuschagne is a batting chameleon of sorts in the way that he can mimic his partners style. Whether that is still the case with the remodelled Labuschagne, time will tell.But if Labuschagne is back to his best, then a return of a No.3-4-5 combination of Labuschagne, Smith and Head will certainly look more challenging for England’s attack to penetrate than any alternative.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United side are showing signs of green shoots, but there is much work still to be done in the fight to stave off the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

West Ham’s inconsistencies have plunged them into the drop zone, but a glass-half-full mentality would tell you that Nuno has claimed eight points from four games and the squad’s understanding in this new system is tightening, deepening.

But this is also a precarious and anxiety-inducing position. Former technical director Tim Steidten left much to be desired on the recruitment front, and now additions are needed up top and across the backline.

West Ham need to sign a striker

Niklas Fullkrug’s £27m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the London Stadium has not gone to plan. Injuries have been the German striker’s biggest inhibitor, but he has scored only three times across 29 matches, and a winter exit, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, looks on the cards.

The 32-year-old has indeed been slated for a January departure, probably back to his homeland, and that leaves West Ham in a sticky position, with Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson in need of support.

Help may arrive in the form of Santiago Gimenez, with Italian outlet Il Messaggero relaying that the Mexican forward is destined for a move to the Premier League, with the Irons one of the clubs who could put forward a bid of around €30m (equating to £26m).

Sunderland are also interested, and given that Milan would be open to selling the 24-year-old for around that price, the Londoners will need to be snappy in getting a deal done.

What Santiago Gimenez would bring to West Ham

Gimenez stands at 6 foot 1 and is a physical and imposing attacking profile. In this, he would be the perfect profile to replace Fullkrug, whose physicality and focal command in the box are among the finest in Europe.

After joining AC Milan from Feyenoord last winter, Gimenez made a positive start to life in Serie A, scoring five goals and supplying two assists across the latter half of the 2024/25 campaign, playing 14 times and starting only seven of those games.

However, he has petered out under Massimiliano Allegri’s wing this season, yet to score in the Italian top flight. Gimenez is still relatively young and has the athleticism to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be the perfect presence to dovetail into the front of Nuno’s system, having been hailed as a “machine” in the box by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

His particular approach suggests he would be perfect for Nuno’s West Ham project, Chris Wood would bear testament to that, having been the spearhead of the Portuguese tactician’s incredible tenure at the Nottingham Forest helm, prolific and talismanic.

Wood is among the most physical and commanding strikers of recent years; certainly, his blend of clinical shooting, steely hold-up play and intelligent movement has allowed him to blossom into “one of the best in the Prem”, as claimed by reporter Jamie Martin.

And his time in Nuno’s system proved a match made in heaven for both. Now, Gimenez could make his mark as the new version, especially if given the trust and care that have been lacking throughout his year in Italy.

Under Espirito Santo’s stewardship, Wood enjoyed arguably the most productive spell of his career, scoring 20 goals from 36 Premier League matches as the Tricky Trees secured a place in Europe.

Sean Dyche

165

53 (0.32)

Nuno Santo

60

32 (0.53)

Garry Monk

48

30 (0.62)

Nigel Pearson

62

20 (0.32)

Kenny Jacket

19

11 (0.58)

Chris Hughton

29

11 (0.38)

Gimenez could play a similar role in this West Ham team, the catalyst for attacking change after a tough chapter in the club’s modern history.

Finishes like Bowen: West Ham offered chance to sign "insane" Wilson upgrade

The international goalscorer could be just the player to spearhead Nuno’s West Ham project.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 6 days ago

Owners of the three franchises confirm they will continue working with the PCB for next ten years

Danyal Rasool25-Nov-2025The owners of Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United have all confirmed they will renew their ownership for ten further years. The announcements follow previous public statements from Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi also officially confirming their renewed ownership.It means the five franchises the PSL began with have signed deals to continue with the same owners. Shortly after United went public, Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen announced he would not be extending his ownership of the franchise.Each franchise was widely expected to renew. Kings, who were initially the most valuable franchise in 2016, officially saw the smallest percentage growth in their annual franchise fee, representing what were perceived as particularly beneficial terms. They were valued at PKR 440 million (approx US$1.57m) in 2016 and about 790 million (approx US$2.8m) in the most recent valuation.Related

• Multan Sultans owner decides not to renew ownership of PSL franchise

With incumbent owners retaining franchise rights, they are required to pay the old value plus 25% of the new valuation, meaning Kings’ annual franchise fee comes to around PKR 640 million (approx US$2.3m). That means their market value has dipped below that of Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, and is only higher than Quetta Gladiators.”A decade ago, we made a promise to help bring cricket back to Pakistan,” Kings owner, Salman Iqbal, tweeted. “Today, I am proud to announce that we have officially renewed Karachi Kings’ franchise rights for the next 10 years! This isn’t just a renewal; it’s a recommitment to the vision that built the HBL PSL.”Quetta and Islamabad have joined them. Gladiators are understood to have the lowest market value but the largest growth in their value. Their annual fee in 2016 was about PKR 187 million (approx US$660,000). With their market value going up to approximately PKR 690 million (approx US$2.45m), retention means the owners will have to pay in the region of PKR 360 million (approx US$1.28m) per year.United, too, have pipped Kings in market value, which is estimated at about PKR 860 million (approx US$3.06m). This is up from PKR 255 million (approx US$910,000) at the advent of the PSL, requiring owner Ali Naqvi to pay about PKR 470 million (approx US$1.67m).Two new teams will be added ahead of the next season of the PSL, which is set to be held between March and May 2026. With Sultans’ ownership group declining to retain, the PSL has to find an ownership solution for three teams before the draft for the 11th edition can get underway.

Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia and his injury hell has continued into this season, with the Belgian hauled off after just six minutes against Qarabağ in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lavia, who was spotted launching a water bottle in frustration moments after being substituted in Azerbaijan, was forced to sit out 226 days last term through injury, and managed just over half an hour throughout the entirety of 2023/2024 after his near-£60 million move from Southampton.

Qarabağ 2-2 Chelsea – best players

Match Rating

Estevao

8.2

Alejandro Garnacho

7.5

Leandro Andrade

7.4

Matheus Silva

7.0

Marko Jankovic

7.0

via WhoScored

The stats surrounding his absences make for very grim reading, and what’s more, Lavia has never even completed a full 90 minutes for the west Londoners.

The 21-year-old was once Southampton’s “shining star” and a player to get “very excited” about, according to journalist Sam Tighe in 2023, but injuries have plagued Lavia ever since he signed on the dotted line at Stamford Bridge.

On his day, and when available, Lavia is a phenomenal alternative to the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández in Chelsea’s midfield, with Enzo Maresca effusive in his praise for the ex-Man City academy star.

However, his consistent lack of availability is a major cause for concern, and supporters are beginning to speculate whether the Blues could decide to pull the plug and sell him next year.

Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has provided an update.

Chelsea tipped to move for Adam Wharton amid Roméo Lavia injury

Speaking to the Chelsea Chronicle, Bailey tips them to potentially enter the race for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton next year, albeit not in January, or other big-name midfielders like Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga.

However, he emphasises that Chelsea were already planning to sign a new midfielder before Lavia’s latest injury, so it isn’t exactly a reactionary decision, and the club remain huge fans of their 2023 signing.

Wharton, in particular, would be an intriguing option for BlueCo.

The 21-year-old earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the last Euros after his stellar 2024 form, but he was forced to sit out most of last season after needing groin surgery.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham were among the clubs scouting Wharton at Blackburn Rovers before Palace ultimately took the plunge (The Guardian), with reports now suggesting that the Eagles value Wharton at an eye-watering £100 million.

Unless Wharton rediscovers his 23/24 prowess, Palace are very unlikely to get a fee of that magnitude, even if he is still considered by some as one of England’s brightest midfield prospects right now.

Trent Rockets now in pole position to finish second, which would grant them a Finals spot if the Eliminator is washed out

ECB Media26-Aug-2025Manchester Originals 140 for 3 (Buttler 70, Ravindra 47*) beat Northern Superchargers 139 for 8 (Patel 42, Aspinwall 3-17) by seven wicketsWith the return of Sir James Anderson to the Manchester Originals’ line-up, there was an extra frisson at Headingley for the local derby as the Northern Superchargers looked to record eight wins from eight for the women and men at their northern fortress. Alas for Harry Brook’s side, although they will still be in the Eliminator at the Kia Oval on Saturday, it was not to be.Starting on the same points total as the Trent Rockets but with a significant deficit in net run rate, the Superchargers were looking for a big win to give themselves a decent chance of finishing second in the group stages.The Originals won the toss and chose to field, with Anderson bowling the first ten, and rapidly picking up his first and second wickets in The Hundred, accompanied by a broad grin. He then had Brook dropped in the deep before seeing England’s white-ball captain try his falling-over scoop, the ball merely dribbling a few feet from the bat, Brook ending up on his bottom and Anderson in stitches.Brook (20 off 20) was then caught off Scott Currie and Zak Crawley (17 off 17) holed out, and at 73 for 5 off 67 balls, the Originals were in the box seat.Enter the 40-year-old Samit Patel, three years younger than Anderson perhaps, but still very much a senior citizen in professional cricketing terms. When he was dismissed off the penultimate delivery, he had pummelled four fours and three sixes in his 19-ball 42 and, along with David Miller (30 off 22), given the Superchargers something to defend despite Tom Aspinwall’s impressive 3 for 17.The Superchargers’ opening pair of Jacob Duffy and Matthew Potts were tidy, Phil Salt (9 off 13) and Ben McKinney (6 off 8) struggling to break free but once they had gone, Jos Buttler and Rachin Ravindra (47* off 23) showed just why they are rated two of the best white-ball batters in the world, a thrilling partnership of 99 off 48 ensuring the Originals finished the competition on a high and consigning the Superchargers to a third-place group finish, barring a catastrophic defeat by the Rockets to the Phoenix tomorrow at Trent Bridge.Buttler was imperious, smiting seven fours and five sixes in his 37-ball 70 before being bowled by Adil Rashid, at which point only 10 were needed off 21 balls. Rashid conceded 39 from his 20, the most he has ever leaked in The Hundred, and successive boundaries from Ravindra sealed the deal with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare.Meerkat Match Hero Jos Buttler said: “The surface was a bit tricky, a bit slow. I thought we bowled exceptionally well apart from three or four balls and that allowed us to chase it down. We showed our best cricket in this last game when we were already out of the tournament, which is frustrating.”Overall, over the course of the tournament, we left a lot out there. In a couple of games, we failed to get over the line and we are where we deserve to be in the end. Tonight we showed what we are truly capable of as a team.”

This comes after India forfeited two games, including the semi-final, against Pakistan due to strained political relations between the two countries

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2025

The PCB has issued a “blanket ban” from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing “biased” conduct by the tournament organisers. This comes after India Champions forfeited two games, including the semi-final, against Pakistan Champions due to strained political relations between the two countries.The board also criticised WCL’s decision to award points to a forfeiting team – the teams shared points when India had refused to play Pakistan in the group match – saying it was “tainted with hypocrisy and bias”. The board also took issue with what it described as a selective use of the “peace through sport” narrative, accusing the organisers of allowing political considerations and commercial interests to interfere with the tournament. The statement comes after the PCB’s 79th board of governors meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi.”The cancellation was not based on cricketing merit but on appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative,” the PCB said in a statement. “This sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.Related

India Champions pull out of WCL semi-final against Pakistan Champions

“However, we cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game.”The WCL had issued an apology for “hurting sentiments” following India’s withdrawal.”The WCL’s apology for ‘hurting the sentiments’, whilst being farcical, inadvertently acknowledges that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but rather on succumbing to a specific nationalistic narrative,” the statement further said. “This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.”While reaffirming their commitment to global cricket and healthy rivalries, the board said they would not permit their players to participate in tournaments that “undermine the spirit of the game.”

The Dodgers and Blue Jays delivered a thrilling 2025 World Series that came down to the wire, with Los Angeles coming from behind late Saturday night to capture a winner-takes-all Game 7 for their second straight crown. was on site throughout the Fall Classic in both Los Angeles and Toronto. Here are some of our favorite images from the World Series.

Dodgers Win Back-to-Back World Series TitlesAll Eyes on Shohei Ohtani Blue Jays In First World Series Since 1993 Epic Game 3Fans Pack Rogers Centre and Dodger StadiumDodgers Win Back-to-Back World Series Titles

Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda are joined by Vishal Dikshit, who was on the ground in Indore and caught up exclusively with the centurion as Australia opened their title defence

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2025Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner joins Vishal Dikshit to talk about her sensational century against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup, the thrill of playing in front of loud crowds in India, and much more. Also joining the conversation are Firdose Moonda and Valkerie Baynes.