Gennaro Gattuso is out as Italy's coach after team failed to qualify for World Cup

MILAN (AP) — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national teamfailed to qualifyfor a third consecutiveWorld Cup.

Bosnia Italy WCup Soccer

The Italian soccer federation announced the news ina statementthanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

“With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” Gattuso said.

Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s soccer federation presidentGabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.

The defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champion Italy after being eliminated bySwedenandNorth Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups.

Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.

Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when titleholder Italy was knocked out in the round of 16 by Switzerland.

“I would like to thank Gattuso once again," Gravina said. "Because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a valuable contribution, managing to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in just a few months.

“He has conveyed great pride in the national team jersey to the players and to the whole country.”

Under Gattuso, Italy went on a six-match winning streak before another loss to Norway in November to finish second in their group and end up in the playoffs again.

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Gattuso had been given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic renewal until 2028 if Italy returned to soccer's biggest stage.

“The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset that exists in soccer, which is why it is right to immediately facilitate future coaching staff decisions,” Gattuso said.

“It was an honor to be able to lead the national team and do so also with a group of boys who have shown commitment and attachment to the shirt. The biggest thanks go to the fans, to all the Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team in recent months.”

Among those being mentioned to replace Gattuso are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team. He left that role in October 2024 and is currently coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar.

Inzaghi steered Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and now manages Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Conte coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship and is currently at Napoli.

Allegri is coach at AC Milan.

Italy will play two friendly matches in June but is unlikely to have a new coach by then, given that the election for a new FIGC president won't take place until June 22.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byCreto Bactum

in

April 03, 2026

Gennaro Gattuso is out as Italy's coach after team failed to qualify for World Cup

MILAN (AP) — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national teamfailed to qualify...

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Marner has 5 points and Golden Knights score 3 times in 3rd period to beat Flames 6-3

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Thursday night.

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It was the sixth time in Marner's career that he had at least five points in a game and the first since also having five (one goal, four assists) for Toronto against Boston on Jan. 4, 2025.

Ivan Barbashev had a goal and and two assists, Mark Stone had an assist for his 700th career point and Pavel Dorofeyev added to his club record with his 19th power-play goal this season and 35th overall. Shea Theodore recorded two assists, including the 300th of his career with the team.

Carter Hart, who wasactivated off injured reserveearlier Thursday, stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 8.

Blake Coleman scored twice for the Flames and Morgan Frost had the other goal. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves.

The Golden Knights are five points ahead of Los Angeles and San Jose for the third and final Pacific Division playoff spot. Vegas is three points behind division leaders Anaheim and Edmonton.

Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloudreceived a video tributeat the first timeout of the opening period. He became emotional, patted his heart and waved to the fans, who roared at the return of one of the more beloved players in franchise history. He was with the Golden Knights since the 2017-18 season and became a regular three years later.

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TheGolden Knights traded Whitecloudto Calgary on Jan. 18 for Rasmus Andersson.

Calgary took the lead three times before Vegas answered with the equalizer each time, with the game tied at 3 entering the second intermission.

The beginning of the third period was delayed more than 20 minutes because of an issue with a spot on the ice.

Up next

Flames: Play at Anaheim on Saturday.

Golden Knights: Play at Edmonton on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup.

AP NHL:https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

Marner has 5 points and Golden Knights score 3 times in 3rd period to beat Flames 6-3

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat t...

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Cooley scores twice in the Mammoth's 6-2 victory over the Kraken

SEATTLE (AP) — Logan Cooley scored twice for the first of Utah's six straight goals, Karel Vejmelka made 25 saves and Mammoth beat the Seattle Kraken 6-2 on Thursday night for their second straight victory.

Utah has a five-point lead for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

After Cooley erased Seattle's two-goal lead with his 21st and 22nd goals, Nick Schmaltz put Utah ahead on a power play with 5:04 left in the second period. He has 28 goals.

JJ Peterka, Dylan Guenther with his team-leading 37th, and Michael Carcone scored in the third.

Jordan Eberle scored his 24th goal, and Bobby McMann had his 27th for Kraken. Seattle goalie Joey Daccord stopped 25 shots.

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The Kraken lost for the seventh time — five in regulation — in eight games and trail three teams for the final wild-card spot in the West.

Kraken forward Ryan Winterton, who tooka temporary leave of absence last month, rejoined the team for its morning skate Thursday. It is unclear yet when Winterton will return to action.

Up next

Mammoth: At Vancouver on Saturday.

Kraken: Host Chicago on Saturday night.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

Cooley scores twice in the Mammoth's 6-2 victory over the Kraken

SEATTLE (AP) — Logan Cooley scored twice for the first of Utah's six straight goals, Karel Vejmelka made 25 saves and Mammoth beat ...

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2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3-pointer to win 73-72and complete a historic comeback after being down 15 points at halftime.

UConn is a small underdog against No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four, while No. 1 Arizona is a currently a small ‘dog against fellow No. 1 seed Michigan in what should be a fantastic matchup between arguably the two best teams in the country.

Below you'll find the favorite wagers for all the games from our college basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob and Matt Russell. We’ll update this piece throughout the week with more wagers from our experts.

All odds courtesy ofBetMGM.

Best bets for Saturday’s Final Four games

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan (-1.5, 157.5)

Jacob:First-half scores in Michigan’s last five contests dating to the Big Ten tournament championship game: 38-38, 50-46, 48-39, 49-47 and 48-26. All five surpassed 75 points and all five flew over the first-half total, with the Wolverines putting up an average of 46.2 points.

Meanwhile, in its last eight games dating to the regular-season finale at Colorado, Arizona and its opponents have combined for at least 74 first-half points six times. During this stretch, the Wildcats have averaged 37.1 points in the opening 30 minutes of action.

Translation: Both of these No. 1 seeds love to push the pace, particularly early; both can fill the bucket; and both are extraordinarily efficient on the offensive end. I don’t expect anything different in Saturday’s Final Four nightcap.

In fact, both teams have already shown in the NCAA tournament what happens when facing an opponent that also loves to sprint up and down the court. In the Sweet 16, Arizona beat Arkansas 109-88 (with the teams combining for 97 first-half points), and Michigan thumped Alabama 90-77 (with 96 of those points scored before halftime).

It might take a beat or two for these squads to get used to shooting in a cavernous football stadium, but they’ll eventually heat up and easily top 80 points before the first-half horn sounds.

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Bet: First half over 73.5 points (-125)

No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois (-1.5, 139.5)

Jacob:Here’s a quick recap of Illinois’ NCAA tournament performance to date: Four wins, all by double digits; three straight opponents held to fewer than 60 points on 38% shooting; a cumulative plus-65 rebounding advantage; and four starters averaging at least 12 points per contest. Just flat-out, across-the-board domination.

So, of course I’m fading the Illini in the Final Four.

The main reason: At this point, a bet against UConn in the Big Dance is essentially a bet against the sun rising tomorrow.

The Huskies’ record in their last 18 NCAA tournament games overall: 17-1 (including 15 double-digit blowouts). Their record in their last 18 tournament games from the Sweet 16 onward: 18-0 (the most recent being Sunday’s miraculous Elite Eight comeback against No. 1 overall seed Duke).

Ranking Duke's worst NCAA tournament losses since its last title

Another reason why I’m backing UConn: It already manhandled Illinois once this season, rolling 74-61 as a 3.5-point favorite in Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 28. Remember those four Illini starters averaging double digits in the NCAA tournament? They combined for 18 points on 6-for-27 shooting (including 2-for-13 from 3-point range) against the Huskies.

Granted, Nov. 28 is a long time ago. But early February is not. I bring that up because that’s when Illinois lost 85-82 to Michigan State in overtime — the first of four consecutive overtime losses (by a combined 10 points) that Illinois suffered between Feb. 7-March 13.

In fact, since edging Texas Tech 81-77 in their third game of the season Nov. 11, the Illini have played six games decided by fewer than six points. Their record in those six contests: 0-6. In other words, Illinois is untrustworthy in close games.

Well, I fully expect this one to be a 40-minute dogfight. And I fully expect UConn to do what UConn always does this time of year: come out on top — somehow, some way.

Bet: UConn money line (+115)

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3-pointer to wi...

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Iowa State star Audi Crooks enters transfer portal

Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation's second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is entering the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, announced her plans Thursday on Instagram.

"Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day," Crooks, an Iowa native, wrote in a post directed to Cyclone Nation. "I've met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I've built during my time at Iowa State.

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"I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I've done that here. It's why I want you to hear from me directly that I have decided to enter the portal and explore what it means to take root again in new ground."

Crooks averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts this season for the Cyclones, who finished 22-10. Iowa State lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.

Crooks was a second-team All-American in 2025-26 and a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards in 99 games (95 starts).

--Field Level Media

byCreto Bactum

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April 02, 2026

Iowa State star Audi Crooks enters transfer portal

Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation's second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is entering the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3 cen...

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QB Kirk Cousins reportedly signs with Raiders ahead of team likely taking Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick

Kirk Cousins’ time as an NFL starter isn’t over just yet. The 37-year-old reportedly signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, his agent announced Thursday.

With the move, Cousins could open the season as the team’s starter as it prepares presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to eventually take over.

Cousins, himself, confirmed the news with a simple three-word post on X:

“The Autumn Wind” is a poem adapted for the Raiders back in 1974, written by NFL Films co-founder Steve Sabol.

Cousins will reportedly sign a one-year, fully-guaranteed $20 million deal with the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is far more complex than that, but essentially works out to be a one-year deal.

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The move reunites Cousins with new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, who was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach and eventual offensive coordinator when the two were with the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins reportedly had interest from ahandful of other teams, including the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, but ultimatelyopted to join Kubiak in Las Vegas, per The Athletic.

The news comes a day after Mendoza — who the Raiders are expected to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — had his pro day. The Cousins signing likely isn’t a commentary on how the Raiders felt about Mendoza’s performance at his pro day, as Kubiak has talked about his preference fornot using a rookie starter immediately, per NFL.com.

"Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1," Kubiak said Tuesday. "You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show."

That sentiment makes it seems likely Cousins will open the 2026 NFL season as the Raiders’ starter. That could change depending on how both players perform in training camp and in the preseason, but Cousins looks to have a leg up on Mendoza for now.

Cousins opened last season in a backup role for the Atlanta Falcons behind Michael Penix Jr. But an injury to Penix opened the door for Cousins to shift back into a starting role down the stretch. In 10 games – eight starts — Cousins threw 10 touchdowns against five interceptions.

After considering his options during the offseason, Cousins ultimately landed with the Raiders. The move could give him one more shot to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL, though it seems unlikely he’ll remain in that role for long with Mendoza likely waiting in the wings.

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

QB Kirk Cousins reportedly signs with Raiders ahead of team likely taking Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick

Kirk Cousins’ time as an NFL starter isn’t over just yet. The 37-year-old reportedly signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, his agen...

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White Influencer Called Out After Posting AI Image of Her Face on Black Content Creator's Body

Model Tatiana Elizabeth called out influencer Lauren Blake Boultier for using AI to superimpose her face over Elizabeth's in a photo

NEED TO KNOW

• "Pretending to be somewhere you weren't, in something you've never worn, as someone you're not... for social media. It's a little scary," Elizabeth wrote on her Instagram Stories

• Boultier later told TMZ she took "full responsibility" for the incident

Influencer Lauren Blake Boultier said she takes "full responsibility" after another influencer, Tatiana Elizabeth, accused her of using AI to superimpose her face on Elizabeth's body in a two-year-old photo of herself at the U.S. Open.

After Boultier posted the now-deleted photo on Instagram, Elizabeth posted toThreadsand her Instagram Stories to call out the alleged use of AI to put her face onto Elizabeth's body— and on a photo that Elizabeth first posted two years ago. Boultier, who is White, has over 1.6 million Instagram followers.

In the Monday, March 30, Threads post, Elizabeth shared a screenshot of Bouliter's photo next to her original, taken at the 2024 U.S. Open. In the original photo, Elizabeth, who is Black, wore a white tennis skirt, a white short-sleeved cropped t-shirt, along with a green-and-white striped cardigan tied around her shoulders, paired with a coordinating green and white Louis Vuitton purse.

Boultier's photo shows her in the exact same outfit, pose and lighting, along with the same background.

"Bar for bar," Elizabeth began Monday's Threads post. "The weirdest part about this is that it’s not even an AI influencer. This is a real person who used AI to put her head on my body. She geotagged MIAMI as if she’s at the Miami Open. When my photo was taken at the US open two years ago."

"Well this is..... peculiar...I was here too!!" Elizabeth continued on herInstagram Stories. "In this same exact outfit and the same watch, same bag, picture was taken at the same angle even..omg we even have the same tattoo!!!!!!?"

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Elizabeth then re-shared the original photo on her Instagram Stories. "Pretending to be somewhere you weren't, in something you've never worn, as someone you're not... for social media. It's a little scary," Elizabeth concluded.

The influencer also shared a TikTok video about the situation, where she added, "And by no means am I trying to bash this girls into health is real, and I'm not a bully... I'm just, I'm a little perplexed."

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"I just want to know what was the reason," Elizabeth continued. "Cause social media got to our heads that much that we are completely disregarding couth?"

"Tatiana hopes this situation raises awareness about how AI can blur reality, which can be unsettling. As of now she has not been in contact with the other party," a rep for Elizabeth tells PEOPLE.

"That shouldn’t have happened, and I take full responsibility," Boultier toldTMZ Sportson Wednesday, April 1.

"This came from an A.I. content system my team uses to generate images at scale," Boultier told TMZ. "I did not see the original image or intentionally set out to copy anyone’s work, but that doesn't change the outcome."

"I understand this impacted another creator, especially when it comes to respecting original work, and I never want to contribute to that kind of frustration or harm within the creative community that I have been a part of for 10 years," Boultier added.

"I take full responsibility for what appears on my platforms," Boultier wrote in a WednesdayInstagramstatement, in which she also said she spoke with Elizabeth privately to apologize.

"I will have more oversight with my agency to ensure my content is handled with the integirty and respect it deserves moving forward," Boultier continued. "I am deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused the original creator and the community at large."

Also on Wednesday, Elizabeth posted screenshots of two apologies she says Boultier sent her via Instagram DM onThreads, as well as the response she sent to Boultier.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 01, 2026

White Influencer Called Out After Posting AI Image of Her Face on Black Content Creator's Body

Model Tatiana Elizabeth called out influencer Lauren Blake Boultier for using AI to superimpose her face over Elizabeth's in a phot...

Read More