Spalletti’s Statements
Spalletti added that he had no intention of resigning and preferred to continue in his position. He will fulfill his commitment in the match against Moldova before resolving the contract.Last night we were together with the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina. He informed me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team.
Luciano Spalletti
Spalletti’s dismissal comes after less than two years in the position, after replacing Roberto Mancini in September 2023. Although Spalletti led Italy to Euro 2024, his disappointing performance in the tournament had already generated pressure on the coach.
Italy arrived at the European Championship in Germany as the defending champion, but after winning their first match against Albania, they lost against Spain and achieved a late draw with Croatia, which allowed them to advance to the round of 16, where they were defeated 2-0 by Switzerland.
Spalletti’s team seemed to have recovered with an impressive Nations League campaign, beating France 3-1 away and losing only once. However, they lost at home against “Les Bleus” in the last match of the group stage, finishing behind France on goal difference.
Italy began this year with a 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time in the second leg in Dortmund.
Spalletti’s team managed to tie, but couldn’t reach the semi-finals and, after going down 3-0 against Norway, Italy couldn’t react.
The defeat left Spalletti’s team in a complicated situation to secure direct qualification for next year’s World Cup, and after Italy failed to qualify for the last two finals, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) decided to act.Spalletti added: “I love this shirt, the players I have coached, and tomorrow night I will ask them to give it their all.”I was convinced that we could reach the World Cup, and I remain convinced that this team can reach it.
Luciano Spalletti
When asked if he felt betrayed, the coach could barely articulate words and, with tears in his eyes, left the press room.
The 66-year-old coach, who previously managed Roma, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Inter Milan, took the helm of the “Azzurri” after leading Napoli to the Scudetto in 2023, but was unable to replicate that success in the national team.According to reports from Italian media, Stefano Pioli, coach of the Saudi club Al Nassr and Serie A winner with AC Milan, is one of the favorites to replace Spalletti, and the name of Claudio Ranieri is also mentioned.
Ranieri recently retired for the second time after his stint with Roma last season, but the 73-year-old manager could be tempted to return once more if offered his dream job with Italy.
