Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto breaks silence on security challenges: addresses NATO and domestic threats

Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Defence Minister, will appear on *Caffè della domenica* on Radio 24 this Sunday at 8.30 a.m., marking his first high-profile media engagement since taking office. The invitation, confirmed by *Il Sole 24 Ore* , places Crosetto under the spotlight as he prepares to address domestic and international security challenges facing Rome in the final months of 2026.

Crosetto’s appearance comes amid a week of seismic shifts in European football management, developments that have overshadowed even the most pressing political debates. In Madrid, the Real Madrid board terminated Sergio Rodríguez’s tenure as sporting director on Thursday, a move that triggered the immediate resignation of head coach “El Chacho” and his entire technical staff . Juan Carlos Sánchez, who left the club a year ago, is set to return to replace Rodríguez, while further departures are expected before the transfer window closes on 31 August.

Across the continent, Zlatko Zahović has returned to NK Maribor as sporting director 13 March 2020, a decade after his playing retirement, to oversee preparations for a season that begins on 18 July . The Slovenian legend told reporters in Maribor that his mandate includes rebuilding the squad and restoring the club’s regional dominance after six years away from the dugout.

In Lisbon, Marco Silva has completed his technical staff at Benfica by appointing four former Fulham assistants, leaving Ricardo Rocha as the only holdover from last season’s coaching team . The reshuffle signals a clear break with the previous cycle and a push for silverware in 2026-27.

Meanwhile, in the Adriatic League, Stipe Modrić has left Perspektiva Ilirija to take charge of Zadar, signing a contract that runs until the end of the 2027-28 season . The move underscores the league’s growing appeal to coaches seeking long-term projects.

Back in Thessaloniki, PAOK’s Brazilian forward Taison bid farewell to Răzvan Lucescu on social media, writing in Greek: “I love you, general; you will always have a place in my heart,” as the Romanian manager officially left the club .

Crosetto’s Sunday interview will be webcast live on www.radio24.it, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the strategic priorities of Italy’s defence portfolio as Rome navigates NATO’s eastern flank and domestic defence-industrial consolidation.