Italiano arrives in Istanbul, signing set for Saturday
Vincenzo Italiano has landed in Istanbul and your new head coach will put pen to paper Saturday at 14:00 (1). The wait is over.
Italiano was met with enthusiasm after arriving in the city and didn't hide his eagerness. "I can't wait to get started," he said (4). He also sent a direct message to the fans: "Together we will reach the desired point" (2). Straightforward. No grand promises – just a clear statement of intent.
So who is he? The 48-year-old Italian made his name at Bologna, where his 4–4–2 and 4–2–3–1 setups earned him a reputation as a tactically disciplined coach (7). Expect structure. Expect intensity. The transition is real, and it starts now.
Muçi to Trabzonspor made official
Ernest Muçi's departure has been formally registered with KAP by Trabzonspor (5) (8). The winger is gone – part of the squad clearout the club has been planning. One less piece to figure out as Italiano shapes his squad.
Pavard offered to Beşiktaş
Here's a name that will get your attention: Benjamin Pavard has been proposed to the club (3). The Inter defender – a World Cup winner with France – is on the table. Whether it materializes depends on the board and the new manager's priorities, but the ambition is clear. A centre-back of that calibre doesn't get offered to every club.
Fan reactions
Fans are cautiously optimistic about Italiano. A popular Reddit post simply says "Italiano, hayırlı olsun" – the traditional Turkish blessing for a new beginning. Another thread dives into his Bologna tactics, debating whether the 4–4–2 or 4–2–3–1 fits the current squad, while a third shows him posing with the Beşiktaş scarf. The mood: hopeful, but watching closely. Many want the board to give him a full season regardless of results – something the club hasn't always done. See the tactical discussion