The concern of lacking a 3rd straight World Cup has price four-time champions Italy their coach, with Luciano Spalletti confirming Sunday he will probably be dismissed after Monday’s qualifier towards Moldova.
The transfer follows Italy’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Norway of their opening World Cup qualifier – a consequence that set off alarm bells throughout the nation.
“I spoke with the president last night, and he told me I’d be dismissed,” Spalletti mentioned throughout a pre-match news convention at Italy’s coaching base. “I had no plans to leave – I wanted to stay. But it’s a dismissal, and I accept it.”
Claudio Ranieri, who lately wrapped up a powerful marketing campaign with Roma and had introduced his retirement from teaching, is reportedly the front-runner to step in.
The federation didn’t instantly identify a substitute. After the Moldova sport, Italy doesn’t play once more till September.
Spalletti was employed in August 2023 after Roberto Mancini unexpectedly left to take over Saudi Arabia’s nationwide group. Spalletti was given a three-year contract by means of the 2026 World Cup.
His first main match ended with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Switzerland within the spherical of 16 ultimately yr’s European Championship.
Then Italy was eradicated within the Nations League quarterfinals after conceding an embarrassing purpose to Germany earlier this yr – a consequence that meant the Azzurri entered a five-team World Cup qualifying group that includes Erling Haaland’s Norway, slightly than a four-team group the place the highest-ranked nation is Slovakia.
Winning the group is the one method to make sure direct qualification for subsequent yr’s match in North America.
The second-place group enters the playoffs – the stage the place Italy was eradicated by Sweden and North Macedonia and missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
Having began qualifying late, Italy has zero factors and trails group chief Norway by 9 factors.
To make issues worse, key defender Francesco Acerbi – the middle again who was anticipated to mark Haaland – turned down the call-up for the Norway and Moldova matches.
“I’ve always taken on this job as a service to the nation, and I will do everything I can to help the future of the national team,” Spalletti mentioned. “I’ll come to a contract resolution after tomorrow night. … I had all the support possible concerning the choices I wanted to make. But the results didn’t come.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com