NAPOLI, who failed to defend their Serie A title won in 2023, have turned to Antonio Conte to improve their fortunes in 2024-25. Conte (54) who has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in March 2023, called Naples a “place of global importance” and promised total commitment to his new job. Conte has won Serie A four times, once with Inter and three times with Juventus, and also won the Premier League with Chelsea. Napoli lost coach Luciano Spalletti after he led them to the scudetto and since then, they have hired Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona. Napoli endured a frustrating campaign in 2023-24, finishing 10th in Serie A.
ENGLAND’s women revived their EURO 2025 qualification hopes with a 2-1 victory against France in St-Étienne. Four days earlier, France won 2-1 in Newcastle and cast some doubts against Sarina Wiegman’s team making it to the finals next year. England responded well, however, and went into a 2-0 lead inside 34 minutes with goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessio Russo. France pulled one back from the penalty spot after 71 minutes through Kadidiatou Diani, but England held on to secure the points. Three England players – Bronze, Toone and Williamson – were shown yellow cards as well as Bacha and Dali of France.
WATFORD are looking to raise capital with a £ 17.5 million digital share offering via the online investment platform, Republic and its European product Seedrs. Watford, who made a pre-tax profit of £ 24.1 million in 2022-23, the highest in the EFL, are looking to bolster their cash in order to strengthen their playing resources. The £ 17.5 million represents 10% of the club. Watford finished 15th in the Championship in 2023-24, starting the season with a new manager in the form of Valérien Ismaël and ending with Tom Cleverley in the dugout. By Watford’s standards, this was relatively stable, for under owner Gino Pozzo, Watford have had 17 managers in 11 years.
FOREST GREEN Rovers, who lost their EFL status in May, have had their plans for temporary training facilities at their proposed new home adjacent to the M5 motorway stymied by Stroud District Council. FGR were aiming to place a marquee structure at their Junction 13 site, Eco Park, to allow their team to train away from their current New Lawn stadium. However, the council considered the proposed structure was a “stark unattractive building” for a sensitive location. Two pitches have already been given approval at Eco Park. FGR’s players will train at the New Lawn which will mean the club will close their popular Gym Bar. Meanwhile, the club have appointed a new CE, Dane Vince, the eldest son of owner Dale Vince.
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