Luciano Spalletti has spent less than two years in charge of Italy but has been sacked after a dire loss to Norway in their opening game of qualification for the 2026 World Cup
Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he has been sacked as Italy’s head coach after a nightmare reign in charge of the Azzurri, with Claudio Ranieri the favourite to take over. His exit comes after a dire 3-0 defeat at the hands of Norway in their opening game of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Italy have missed out on qualification for both of the last two World Cups and a desperate to avoid a third successive failure to reach the tournament. Spalletti took charge of his native country in August 2023 after Roberto Mancini’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Having won the 2022/2023 Serie A title with Napoli, Spalletti struggled on the international stage. He oversaw a difficult Euro 2024 campaign, with Italy being knocked out by Switzerland in the last 16, having won just one game in the group stages.
In total, Spalletti led Italy to just 11 wins in his 23 matches in charge, the worst record for Italy’s national team coach since Cesare Prandelli’s dire spell ended in 2014. Spalletti confirmed his sacking himself in a press conference previewing Monday’s qualifier against Moldova, which he will take charge of before leaving his post.
“I spoke with (FIGC president Gabriele) Gravina last night and he informed me that I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach,” Spalletti said. “I am disappointed: given the relationship we have, I had no intention of stepping down. Especially when things are not going well, I would have preferred to stay and do my job.
“However, it is a dismissal and I have to accept it. I have always seen this role as a service to my country and I want to facilitate the future of the national team. I think it is right to seek the best solution.”
Spalletti had insisted he could turn things around after the defeat to Norway but has not been given the chance. He admitted to being left ‘hurt’ by his experience in charge of the team.
“It hurt me not to have brought out the best in everyone, to reach the quality of play that I would have liked. I’m sorry for myself. By accepting I knew that there would be difficult moments to get through,” he added.
“You were also kind to comment on the game the other night. We deserved worse. I created problems for the movement. I was convinced that I could have done differently. We have to play a match worthy of the shirt we wear, of the name we represent.
“I’ll be there tomorrow night against Moldova. These are the results under my management and I have to take responsibility. I love this shirt, this job and the players I’ve coached: tomorrow night I’ll ask them to demonstrate what I asked even if I haven’t been able to get them to express their best.”
The 66-year-old insisted that Italy’s players had what it took to end their World Cup hoodoo, saying: “I want to end with a good win. I expect a lot from the players.
“They are the right men, in my opinion, to carry forward this rule that must exist, of having to go to the World Cup, even if there are complications. By now it has happened too many times to believe we are better than others without taking action on ourselves. I expect an awareness. I would like proof that I was wrong to be a coach, not to choose people”.
The press conference ended when Spalletti stormed out after being asked it he felt he had been stabbed in the back. He left with the parting comment: “Betrayed? No, I just said that…” before standing up and walking out of the room.
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