Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he will step down as Italy’s head coach after their World Cup qualifier against Moldova on Monday. The announcement comes in the wake of a damaging 3-0 loss to Norway in Oslo, a result that deepened concerns over Italy’s form and identity on the international stage. Spalletti, 66, revealed in a tense press conference that Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina informed him of the decision to relieve him of his duties. Despite expressing his desire to continue, Spalletti acknowledged the decision and said he would finish with one last game: “These are the results under my management and I have to take responsibility.”
Appointed in 2023 following Italy’s exit under Roberto Mancini, Spalletti’s tenure has been underwhelming. He oversaw 23 matches, winning only 11, and was unable to progress past the round of 16 at Euro 2024, where Italy lost to Switzerland. His spell has been marked by inconsistency, a lack of cohesion, and a struggling squad—issues that have persisted since Italy’s decline after their 2006 World Cup triumph.
Italian football journalist David Ferrini called Spalletti’s departure “no surprise,” citing failures in major tournaments and structural weaknesses such as a shallow player pool and declining confidence among Italian players. Italy, placed in Group I with Norway, Moldova, Estonia, and Israel, now face an uncertain future. With Spalletti’s exit imminent, all eyes will be on the federation’s next move to restore credibility and competitiveness to the Azzurri.
