Why Marco Silva is becoming a strong candidate for Juventus head coach gig
Reports in Italy claim that Marco Silva's candidacy to take over as head coach of Juventus is growing ever stronger with each passing hour, as the Bianconeri look to appoint a new head coach after losing out on Antonio Conte.
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Silva is now a 'strong' candidate to take over as head coach of Juventus after Igor Tudor, who will lead the Bianconeri into the FIFA Club World Cup which runs from mid-June to mid-July.
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Juventus had been hoping to secure a return for Antonio Conte, who has ultimately decided to stay on with Napoli after winning the Scudetto in 2024-25. Gian Piero Gasperini, who Juve had also looked at, will leave Atalanta to join Roma.
Cristiano Giuntoli during Igor Tudor's introductory press conference. (picture: www.juventus.com/it)
The situation leaves the Old Lady looking at alternative candidates, with Silva, Roberto Mancini, Stefano Pioli and Bruno Genesio among them.
Silva, however, is now being dubbed the frontrunner.
Why Why Marco Silva is becoming a strong candidate for Juventus
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 18: Marco Silva, Manager of Fulham, celebrates victory at full-time following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Fulham FC at Gtech Community Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by)
Silva has been a name Juventus have been studying for some time already. According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli had been in contact with the coach's agent, Jorge Mendes, before learning of Conte's decision to stay on with Napoli.
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While Giuntoli is also expected to leave Juventus this summer, the impending new Bianconeri executive Damien Comolli, is also keen on the idea of appointing Marco Silva as head coach.
Comolli, who is expected to be officially announced as a new Juventus director next week, has recently reestablished contact with Jorge Mendes on behalf of the Bianconeri.
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New York Times
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- New York Times
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After a season-and-a-half on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the 22-year-old Netherlands international made the move permanent this January for an initial €50million (£42.2m/$56.8m at current rates). But with Leipzig then only finishing seventh, missing out on European qualification entirely, and Simons citing Champions League football as a key motivator behind signing for them, he could already be heading for the exit. Given Leipzig's substantial outlay, he won't come cheap. But like Wirtz, Simons is young, established and prolific. He also possesses an innate spatial awareness, enabling him to find pockets of space, turn quickly, and drive at defences. That movement comes with end-product, too: Simons had 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, despite missing two months in the middle of it with an ankle injury. The similarities with Wirtz also extend to positioning. As the touch map below shows, Simons operates as an attacking midfielder with a strong preference for drifting out into the left channel. Simons' roaming style is highly effective, enabling him to find pockets of space, turn quickly and drive at defences. His goal against Stuttgart in Leipzig's final game of the season a few weeks ago showcases exactly that: collecting the ball just outside the attacking third, he turns quickly, surges forward, plays a quick one-two inside the box, and finishes with an improvised backheel. The physicality he shows in shrugging off opposition defenders for this goal is a far cry from the lightweight figure who arrived at Leipzig in summer 2023. Simons' intelligent use of his body, combined with quick, all-action running, mirrors many of the off-the-ball qualities that make Wirtz so valuable, and would make the Dutchman a natural fit in any of Europe's elite, high-pressing sides. In an era when Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) cast a long shadow, Simons' hefty fee might put off suitors, despite his abundant talent. For those with a shorter line of credit, Las Palmas' Alberto Moleiro offers raw, exciting playmaking without the premium price tag. With Las Palmas relegated and Moleiro's contract expiring in 2026, he's likely to be available for a reduced fee. Advertisement The 21-year-old's performances were one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise dismal season for Las Palmas. After scoring a brilliant goal against Real Madrid — collecting Oli McBurnie's pass on the edge of the box, jinking past the Madrid defence with two tight touches before rifling past Thibaut Courtois — the former Sheffield United striker McBurnie called him 'too good' on social media. mi hermano @AlbertoMoleiro es demasiado bueno. estoy cansado, vamos 💛💙 — Oli McBurnie (@oli_mcburnie) August 29, 2024 At 5ft 8in (172.7cm), he lacks the physical presence of some of the more established names on our list, but his smaller stature grants him exceptional agility and quickness in tight spaces. Former manager Pepe Mel said that 'Moleiro always looks to get forward and engage the opposition defence', a trait reflected in his take-on map below, which spans the entire pitch. The dribbling instincts of a winger, paired with the vision and spatial awareness of a midfielder, make Moleiro a unique asset in the pool of young playmakers. He displays flashes of his nimble inventiveness and creativity on a weekly basis, such as the perfectly-weighted through ball to Fabio Silva against Real Betis following a deft drop of the shoulder and cheeky nutmeg. The latest product from the academy that developed David Silva and Pedri, Moleiro would be a shrewd piece of business for anyone looking to add firepower to their midfield ranks. Como's Nico Paz is another budget attacking midfield option with an appetite for taking on defenders. His 144 take-on attempts this season lead Serie A, underlining his fearless approach in possession. Paz has thrived as Como's central creative force under Cesc Fabregas since arriving from Real Madrid for just €6m. Among players aged under 21 across Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona's Yamal registered more assists than his eight this season. Unlike the other options mentioned so far, who tend to favour the left channel, Paz operates comfortably between the lines across the width of the pitch. As his chance map below shows, he creates from everywhere. While comfortable on both feet, Paz's left is his true weapon, enabling him to shape measured, incisive passes, like this outside-of-the-boot, lofted through-ball for Patrick Cutrone's goal against Cagliari. At 20, Paz is still filling out, and can struggle against more physically robust opponents, but his accomplished performances have drawn praise from legendary compatriot Lionel Messi who told the media after Argentina's 6-0 World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia, in which both players featured, that Paz 'understands the game perfectly'. Yet, Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid hold Paz's future in their hands, with the club inserting an €8m buyback clause when they sold him last summer. If they choose not to trigger it, expect a long queue to form at the Paz checkout. For clubs after a sturdier, more well-rounded choice, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White could be your man. Already in Manchester City's recruitment crosshairs, Gibbs-White's relentless energy and creative dynamism helped Forest qualify for Europe for the first time since 1995. Data from Footovision shows that Gibbs-White spends more than 15 per cent of Forest's time in possession sprinting, reaching top speeds close to 30km/h on the ball, one of the highest recorded by any Premier League player this season. His return of seven goals and eight assists is particularly impressive given that Forest averaged just 41 per cent possession this season. In a side that sits so deep, Gibbs-White's athleticism and ball-carrying are crucial in driving Forest up the pitch, and he has the skill and vision to finish those lung-busting runs with defence-splitting passes. 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Business Upturn
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Manchester City makes transfer plans ahead of the Club World Cup
Manchester City have made some transfer plans ahead of the Club World Cup which is to be started this month. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 2, 2025, 08:32 IST Manchester City have made some transfer plans ahead of the Club World Cup which is to be started this month. As the transfer window has been officially opened, so City are trying hard to get two deals done. Rayan Cherki from Lyon FC and Reijnders from AC Milan are what the Blues are looking for. They want both these player to join the squad before the Club World Cup starts. City are also in good talks with Lyon over Cherki's deal and the agreement is likely to be signed soon. With the summer transfer window officially open and the FIFA Club World Cup fast approaching, Manchester City are wasting no time in reinforcing their squad. The reigning European champions have set their sights on two promising talents — Rayan Cherki of Lyon and Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan — as they prepare for the prestigious tournament kicking off later this month. Sources close to the club suggest that City are in advanced talks with Lyon for the highly-rated French midfielder Cherki. The 20-year-old, known for his flair and creativity, has long been on the radar of top European clubs, and City appear confident of sealing the deal soon. Negotiations are said to be progressing positively, with an agreement likely to be signed in the coming days. Meanwhile, City are also pushing hard to secure the services of Dutch midfielder Reijnders from AC Milan. The 25-year-old impressed in his debut Serie A season and is seen as a player who can add depth and versatility to Pep Guardiola's midfield. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
