Luciano Spalletti, the Italian coach, revealed his dismissal from the national team following a 3-0 loss to Norway in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He shared this news during a pre-match conference before the upcoming match against Moldova, expressing that he would be removed from his post soon after the game.
“President Gabriele Gravina informed me that I would be stepping down after the Moldova match. I genuinely wished I could remain and make improvements,” Spalletti stated.
Spalletti took over the Italian team in August 2023 after Roberto Mancini’s resignation, but his tenure was marked by disappointment in the Euro 2024 tournament, where Italy was eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.
When asked about any feelings of betrayal, he responded, “I haven’t connected with the players—if you think otherwise, name them. In light of recent events, I might have been too lenient given my personality.”
Who will succeed Spalletti?
Current reports indicate two key candidates to take over: former Milan coach Stefano Pioli and legendary manager Claudio Ranieri, known for his remarkable achievement with Leicester City in winning the Premier League a decade ago. Pioli, who is currently managing Al-Nassr, has shown interest in returning to Fiorentina following the departure of Raffaele Palladino, while Ranieri recently concluded his coaching stint at AS Roma. Both coaches are reportedly on the FA’s shortlist to revive the team, aiming to avoid missing another World Cup after failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022.
Fan Take: Spalletti’s dismissal highlights the growing pressure on coaches to deliver quick results, especially in a team with Italy’s storied history. The potential hiring of either Pioli or Ranieri could reshape Italy’s approach in qualifying matches and beyond, reigniting fan hopes for a strong World Cup performance.
