Azzurri Boss reveals that he will leave after the Moldova game, before storming the press conference
Luciano Spalletti was dismissed as an Italian coach, but will supervise their qualification in the World Cup with Moldova before leaving his post.
Italy, which has not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, when it was released in the group stage, took a terrible start to qualify for the 2026 tournament on Friday.
The Azzurri were beaten 3-0 by Norway, which they now follow nine points in the UEFA I qualification group. They are six points behind Israel in second place after playing two games less. Each of the 12 group finalists will go to the play-offs.
Faced with the humiliating perspective of missing an extended World Cup of 48 teams, Italy acted, rejecting Spalletti after a little less than two years in work.
Spalletti revealed the decision at a fiery press conference before Monday’s match with Moldova at Reggio Emilia, who will now say goodbye.
“We spoke last night and they told me that I would be relieved of my job as a head coach of the national team,” said Spalletti.
“I was sorry, given the relationship we have, I had no intention of giving up.
“I would have preferred to stay and do my job, especially when things are not doing well. However, if it is an exemption, then I must accept it. I have always seen this role as a homeland service, and I want to help the future of the national team.
“I think it’s just to look for the best, I will end my contract. I will be there tomorrow night against Moldova. I have always argued that my players are strong. The results under my direction are what they are and I must assume responsibility.
“I love this shirt, this work and the players I have trained. Tomorrow, I will ask them to give what I asked them, even if I could not show them the best.
“I didn’t want to finish with the situation in the other evening, rather with a good match. I have always told the boys that they were the right guys to go to the World Cup. There have been complications, but now I expected a level of consciousness and for them to show that they are always the right guys. ”
Asked what he said during his meeting with the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, Spalletti replied: “I would have continued this group. There is an assessment to do on how we arrived at these games.
“Many players were exhausted at the end of the season, we were not in better shape. But they are my players. Even those who had injuries were able to be called.”
Spalletti led Italy to Euro 2024, but the defense of their European title ended with a 2-0 surprise defeat against Switzerland in the last 16.
He won 11 of his 23 games in charge, firing six.
Pressed if he was going to change something of his time as a coach, Spalletti said: “I don’t know either. I was convinced that it would not be a walk in the park, but that I would come back to the World Cup. I am always convinced.
“My world does not collapse when I lose games. There is a position between vision and acceptance of the result, but I am well below the required level because they are strong players. Maked in the past is a waste of time. You cannot affect the past. It is now essential to play a game that is worthy of the shirt we wear.”
Spalletti stormed after being asked if he felt betrayed by Gravina, who will now be responsible for finding a successor, Claudio Ranieri and Stefano Pioli considered as candidates for work.
