Italian supervisor Luciano Spalletti has introduced he was sacked by the Italian FA following a 3-0 defeat towards Norway within the opening match of the Azzurri’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Spalletti has introduced the choice of the federation through the prematch press convention of the sport towards Moldova that may happen on Monday and the place he will even be teaching the group, figuring out he will likely be sacked proper after the match as he introduced himself.
“The FA president Gabriele Gravina knowledgeable me that I will likely be relieved of my position as head coach of the nationwide group after the match towards Moldova. I am sorry, I’d have most well-liked to remain and attempt to change issues. I’ve a wonderful relationship with Gravina, however I settle for the dismissal because of the adverse outcomes,” he stated.
Spalletti took cost of the Italian nationwide group in August 2023 following the choice of former head coach Roberto Mancini to step down from his position and led the group to the disappointing Euro 2024 match, the place Italy had been knocked out by Switzerland within the spherical of 16. Spalletti remained in control of the Azzurri, however the performances did not enhance as Italy misplaced three of the final 4 matches, together with the 3-0 defeat towards Norway of their first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Earlier than leaving the press convention after being requested if he felt betrayed by somebody, Spalletti stated, “Hold saying that I have never discovered a reference to the gamers, inform me with whom. Identify names. Given what has occurred recently, I believe we have to work on the sense of belonging to this nationa group. Given my character, I believe I’ve really been too delicate. If any participant has instructed you one thing over the cellphone, I would prefer to know.”
Who will change Spalletti?
Based on the studies, there are two important candidates to exchange Spalletti — former Milan coach Stefano Pioli and legendary membership coach Claudio Ranieri, who received the Premier League with Leicester Metropolis almost a decade in the past in one of the vital extremely stunning achievements in trendy soccer historical past. Pioli, the present Al-Nassr supervisor, is anticipated to depart the Saudi membership as Fiorentina had been additionally concerned with appointing him after the departure of former coach Raffaele Palladino, and Ranieri ended his managerial profession at AS Roma on the finish of the 2024-25 season and he is present the senior advisor to possession, the American businessman Dan Friedkin. As issues stand, these are the 2 names thought-about by the FA to exchange Spalletti, hoping to show issues round and keep away from lacking one other World Cup, after Italy didn’t qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
