Latest news with #Francesco
India Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Francesco Farioli decides to leave Ajax after historic title collapse
Francesco Farioli has announced his departure from Ajax Amsterdam following a dramatic end to the 2024-25 Eredivisie season, in which the club surrendered a nine-point lead to miss out on what would have been a record 37th league Eindhoven snatched the championship on the final day, finishing one point ahead after overturning a nine-point deficit in the closing weeks of the was appointed last summer on a three-year deal after arriving from French side OGC Nice. Brought in to revive Ajax following a disappointing fifth-place finish in 2023-24, the 36-year-old became the club's first Italian manager and the first non-Dutchman in the role since 1998. Ajax appeared to be cruising to the title, holding a commanding lead at the top as late as April 19. But a string of poor results allowed PSV to close the gap and eventually overtake them. Despite Ajax's 2-0 win over FC Twente on the final day, PSV's 3-1 victory at Sparta Rotterdam sealed back-to-back titles for the Eindhoven has decided to leave Ajax after careful consideration. The head coach has informed the club's board of his for everything, Francesco!— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 19, 2025advertisementIn a statement released after the match, Farioli confirmed his decision to step down, citing differences in vision with the club's hierarchy."The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals," he said. "Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways."Farioli, visibly emotional after the match, said managing Ajax had been a privilege and pointed to his role in reshaping the club's sporting culture during a transitional technical director Alex Kroes called the coach's departure "incredibly disappointing," especially after the team achieved Champions League qualification."Francesco played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful," Kroes said. "This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so. It's up to us to ensure a strong new coaching team is in place by the time pre-season begins on June 26."
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
'He's a lovely man, a great listener': Cork priest among faithful in Vatican celebrating new pope
Pope Who? Fumata bianca! Fumata bianca! The white smoke streams, bronze bells peal and St Peter's Square explodes, throngs waving flags shouting "Viva il Papa", singing "Olé Olé Olé" in the blinding sun coming in low over the dome of the basilica. Everybody breathless, beaming. Priests cheer, nuns dance. Parents hoist their children onto shoulders, workmen race in in their overalls, Marian blue. As word goes out, the diplomats and civic leaders come in, all coiffed, some draped in the Italian sash of office, others puffing from the rush. Locals hug tourists, tourists hug each other, bellowing into phones Habemus Papam! Habemus Papam! as if every call they ever made was in Latin and every conversation about the pope. That's the thing about Rome, I suppose: it gets into you. And it gets in truly, madly, deeply at the time of a pope's death or a conclave when Rome is not only a city, but the world. And on Thursday, on the fourth count that world had a new pope, the assembled ranks of the navy, air force, the Vatican band and Swiss guard marching to herald and greet him. Between the smoke and the announcement of the name, the big question seemed to be will he go for the silk, the velvet and the slippers or the plain white, the black work shoes like Papa Francesco? And then, suddenly, the window opens, the name is announced, there he is in red, and in St Peter's Square, it appears, the only question being asked is "Who?". Ann Cullen from Graiguenamanagh in Co Kilkenny, travelled with her sister Bernie Egan specially for the conclave, waiting at the Vatican barriers for six hours on Wednesday and eight hours on Thursday. 'The atmosphere was fantastic,' she says. 'Like a concert. Suddenly, the white smoke came and it was incredible, it was history and we were right there for it. We always wanted to go. The place was electric. But when they called the name, we all just looked at each other and asked 'Who'? "We asked a Ugandan priest next to us and he was asking the same 'Who's this'? It's all we heard round us. Who?', she continues 'and then he came out in the red and it was a bit off-putting. But people are telling us he is a very sincere man, even though he's not very charismatic. So, we'll see. "It will be interesting to see an American pope with Trump in office. I was hoping for a European, because I think it's time for the papacy to come home to Italy, to Europe. We wish him well and we were thrilled to be there. It's something we wanted all our lives.' Cork man Fr Derry Murphy, Vicar General of the Pallottine Order in Rome, who knew Papa Francesco, then Cardinal Bergoglio, during a 17-year posting in Argentina, says of the new pope: 'I'm delighted. He was somebody I had my eye on during the week and I'd heard nothing but good things about him. "He's a good man, a quiet man, solid. He's a man of deep faith with his eye on God but at the same time is highly competent and is used to managing Church, so he is a good choice. "The name might have thrown people a bit but remember Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum and was the pope who drew up the social doctrine of the Church in 1891 and is known as 'the father of social doctrine'. So, I believe all of this is good.' Fr Derry Murphy who was in Rome when new pope was elected. Since the new pope is Augustinian I spoke to his confrere Fr O'Brian O'Sullivan, living in Rome for many years. Originally from Glengariff he says 'this was the work of the Holy Spirit. We're all delighted for him and we're rejoicing in the reflected glory. It's marvellous news and came as no shock to us. "The paper I read Il Messaggero had him as a frontrunner for a while, but still I had a lump in my throat when his name came. 'He's a lovely man, a great listener, very down to earth, unassuming. He has huge experience in the workings of the Church. He knows what's going on all over the world. In his synodal work he met with Pope Francis every Saturday and I know he will continue in the way of Francis. "They were good friends. He has great faith and a serenity about him. I think his election is great news.' In Italy, beyond the disappointment that the new pope is not Italian, consensus is general on how good it was to hear the Pontifex Maximus - the supreme bridge-builder - talking about doing just that and making peace so central in his message. The peace so badly needed in our world.
Vancouver Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: Paolo Aquilini steps away as owner, family says team 'not for sale'
Article content The Vancouver Canucks say they're not for sale. Article content In a statement late Friday, the team's ownership balked at reports suggesting that they're on the block. But they did admit that Paolo Aquilini is leaving his spot in the family-based ownership group, although they didn't elaborate on why. Article content The Aquilini Investment Group — father Luigi, sons Francesco, Roberto and Paolo — have owned the team and Rogers Arena outright since November 2006. They bought a 50 per cent share in both from John McCaw in November 2004. They also own the Canucks' farm team — the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks — and the National Lacrosse League's Vancouver Warriors. Article content Article content Paolo's picture was recently removed from the Canucks website, which drew Postmedia's original Friday morning query to the Canucks about his status. He's been tied to the charitable side of the team and family efforts, such as the Canucks Autism Network and the Canucks for Kids Fudn. Pictures of Francesco, listed as chairman and governor, and Roberto, who is alternate governor, remain under the ownership heading on the site. Article content 'In response to various media inquiries that we have received and due to a private family matter, Paolo has resigned from his positions with the team and will be leaving the ownership group,' the statement read. 'The remaining owners take their role as stewards of this community asset with deep responsibility and pride, and remain fully committed to bringing the Cup to Vancouver. This team holds great meaning for the family and is not for sale. There will be no further comments.' Article content Article content Former NHL player turned insider Nick Kypreos wrote in the Toronto Star this week about how questions were 'starting to circulate,' about whether Aquilini family was contemplating selling the majority or even part of the Canucks, and he reasoned that the family 'may have grown a tad tired of the constant drama surrounding the team.' Article content Article content There have been other suggestions, too. Article content That could all be noise tied to word getting out about the Canucks needing to finalize a valuation on the franchise. They would be required do that in the event they need to buy out Paolo's stake, although no one from the club has stated that is happening. Article content Kypreos wrote that 'market value for the hockey club and Rogers Arena is speculated to be between $2-3 billion.' Sportico, a sports business publication, estimated the Canucks' value at $1.7 billion. Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canucks: Paolo Aquilini steps away as owner, family says team 'not for sale'
The Vancouver Canucks say they're not for sale. In a statement late Friday, the team's ownership balked at reports suggesting that they're on the block. But they did admit that Paolo Aquilini is leaving his spot in the family-based ownership group, although they didn't elaborate on why. The Aquilini Investment Group — father Luigi, sons Francesco, Roberto and Paolo — have owned the team and Rogers Arena outright since November 2006. They bought a 50 per cent share in both from John McCaw in November 2004. They also own the Canucks' farm team — the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks — and the National Lacrosse League's Vancouver Warriors. Paolo's picture was recently removed from the Canucks website, which drew Postmedia's original Friday morning query to the Canucks about his status. He's been tied to the charitable side of the team and family efforts, such as the Canucks Autism Network and the Canucks for Kids Fudn. Pictures of Francesco, listed as chairman and governor, and Roberto, who is alternate governor, remain under the ownership heading on the site. The statement was signed by Aquilini Investment Group's Luigi, Francesco and Roberto. 'In response to various media inquiries that we have received and due to a private family matter, Paolo has resigned from his positions with the team and will be leaving the ownership group,' the statement read. 'The remaining owners take their role as stewards of this community asset with deep responsibility and pride, and remain fully committed to bringing the Cup to Vancouver. This team holds great meaning for the family and is not for sale. There will be no further comments.' Former NHL player turned insider Nick Kypreos wrote in the Toronto Star this week about how questions were 'starting to circulate,' about whether Aquilini family was contemplating selling the majority or even part of the Canucks, and he reasoned that the family 'may have grown a tad tired of the constant drama surrounding the team.' There have been other suggestions, too. That could all be noise tied to word getting out about the Canucks needing to finalize a valuation on the franchise. They would be required do that in the event they need to buy out Paolo's stake, although no one from the club has stated that is happening. Kypreos wrote that 'market value for the hockey club and Rogers Arena is speculated to be between $2-3 billion.' Sportico, a sports business publication, estimated the Canucks' value at $1.7 billion. In the event that the Canucks need to bring in a minority partner to add capital as a result of this change, there could be plenty of interested candidates. There were 14 bidders on the Ottawa Senators and the 13 who lost out to Michael Andlauer could be interested. Coaches don't leave. This one still left the Vancouver Canucks Rick Tocchet is leaving the Canucks: 'I was honoured to be your coach.' What happens now?
National Post
03-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Canucks: Aquilini family confirms team is 'not for sale'
Article content The Vancouver Canucks say they're not for sale. Article content In a statement late Friday, the team ownership balked at reports suggesting that they're on the block. But they did admit that Paolo Aquilini is leaving his spot in the family-based ownership group, although they didn't elaborate on why. Article content The Aquilini Investment Group — father Luigi, sons Francesco, Roberto and Paolo — have owned the team and Rogers Arena outright since November 2006. They bought a 50 per cent share in both from John McCaw in November 2004. They also own the Canucks' farm team — the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks — and the National Lacrosse League's Vancouver Warriors. Article content Paolo's picture was recently removed from the Canucks website. He's been tied to the charitable side of the team and family efforts, such as the Canucks Austin Network and Canucks for Kids Fun. Pictures of Francesco, listed as chairman and governor, and Roberto, who is alternate governor, remain under the ownership heading on the site. Article content The statement was signed by Aquilini Investment Group, Luigi, Francesco and Roberto. Article content 'In response to various media inquiries that we have received and due to a private family matter, Paolo has resigned from his positions with the team and will be leaving the ownership group,' the statement read. 'The remaining owners take their role as stewards of this community asset with deep responsibility and pride, and remain fully committed to bringing the Cup to Vancouver. This team holds great meaning for the family and is not for sale. There will be no further comments.' Article content Former NHL player turned insider Nick Kypreos wrote in the Toronto Star this week about how questions were 'starting to circulate,' about whether Aquilini family was contemplating selling the majority or even part of the Canucks, and he reasoned that the family 'may have grown a tad tired of the constant drama surrounding the team.' Article content Article content Article content That could all be noise tied to word getting out about the Canucks needing to finalize a valuation on the franchise. They would be required do that in the event they need to buy out Paolo's stake, although no one from the club has stated that is happening. Article content Article content Article content Article content
