Spalletti claims he has been sacked by Italy following his side’s harrowing and embarrassing loss to Norway.
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.
At a press conference following Friday’s 3-0 loss in Oslo, a dismal beginning to the visitors’ World Cup qualifying campaign, Spalletti announced that he had been notified of the decision on Saturday by Gabriele Gravina, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
“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, who took over as manager in September 2023 after succeeding Roberto Mancini, appears to have been fired less than two years into his position. Even though Spalletti led Italy to Euro 2024, the manager was already under criticism due to their lacklustre performance.
Italy was the reigning champions going into the Euros in Germany last year, but they fell to Spain after winning their first match against Albania. They then managed to tie late with Croatia to advance to the round of 16, when they were defeated 2-0 by Switzerland.
After an outstanding Nations League season in which they defeated France 3-1 on the road and only suffered one defeat, Spalletti’s team appeared to have bounced back. They finished behind France on goal differential after losing to Les Bleus at home in the last group match. Italy lost 2-1 in San Siro in the first leg of their Nations League quarterfinal match against Germany to start the season, and they were behind 3-0 at halftime in the rematch in Dortmund.
Italy failed to respond after they fell behind 3-0 at halftime against Norway, and the Azzurri rallied to rescue a draw but lost out on a spot in the semi-finals. The FIGC took action after Italy missed the previous two finals, and Spalletti’s team was already facing a difficult fight to guarantee automatic qualifying for the World Cup the following year.
“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.”