Luciano Spalletti has been sacked as Italy’s coach, he said on Sunday, after their heavy loss to Norway, but will take charge of Monday’s game against Moldova. Spalletti made the announcement at a press conference in the wake of Friday’s 3-0 defeat in Oslo, a humiliating start to the visitors’ World Cup qualifying campaign, saying that Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC), had informed him of the decision on Saturday.
“Last night we were together with president Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team,” Spalletti said. “I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I’ll be there tomorrow evening against Moldova, then we’ll resolve the contract.”
Spalletti’s apparent dismissal comes after less than two years in the role, having replaced Roberto Mancini and taken charge in September 2023. While Spalletti took Italy to Euro 2024, their disappointing performance there had already put the manager under pressure.
Italy went into the Euros last year in Germany as defending champions but after winning their opening game against Albania, they lost to Spain and snatched a late draw with Croatia to make the last 16, where they were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland.
Spalletti’s side seemed to have recovered as they put in an impressive Nations League campaign, beating France 3-1 away and losing just once. They lost at home to Les Bleus in the final group game to finish behind France on goal difference. Italy began this year with a 2-1 loss at San Siro in their Nations League quarter-final first leg with Germany and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time in the return game in Dortmund.
The Azzurri came back to salvage a draw but missed out on a semi-final place and when they fell 3-0 behind at the break against Norway, this time Italy had no reply. The loss left Spalletti’s side already facing an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup, and after Italy missed out on the last two finals, the FIGC decided to act.
“I was convinced I could get to the World Cup and I remain convinced this national team can get there,” Spalletti said. “I love this shirt, the players I have coached, and tomorrow night I will ask them to show everything they have.”
after newsletter promotion
Quick Guide
France triumph in Germany as Mbappé reaches goal landmark
Show
Kylian Mbappé scored his 50th goal for France to help them claim third place in the Nations League with a 2-0 victory over Germany in Stuttgart.
The hosts spurned several chances to take the lead, most notably when Florian Wirtz saw his effort come back off the frame of the goal, before Mbappé struck on the stroke of half-time to put France ahead.
Mbappé is now just one goal off Thierry Henry as France’s second all-time leading goalscorer, with Olivier Giroud in front on 57. The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward then teed up the substitute Michael Olise late on to secure a victory for the visitors.
Mike Maignan was just as important for France, who lost a nine-goal semi-final thriller to Spain on Thursday, in this third-placed playoff as the goalkeeper made several important saves throughout. PA Sport
Spalletti was asked if he felt betrayed, but could hardly get any more words out and left the press room at the FIGC’s Coverciano training centre with tears in his eyes. The 66-year-old, who previously managed Roma, Zenit St Petersburg and Inter, came into the Italy job on the back of leading Napoli to the Scudetto in 2023, but was unable to bring that success to the national side.
Italian media reports suggest Stefano Pioli, who is in charge of the Saudi club Al-Nassr and won the 2022 Serie A title with Milan, is one of the favourites to replace Spalletti, while Claudio Ranier has also been mentioned. The former Chelsea and Leicester manager recently retired for a second time after his spell at Roma last season, but the 73-year-old could be tempted to return once more if offered his dream job with Italy.
