Luciano Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role after Moldova match
The 66-year-old announced the news during his press conference ahead of Monday's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
Spalletti came under pressure after his country's campaign began with Friday evening's 3-0 defeat away to Norway.
Italy vs. Moldova will be Luciano Spalletti's last game as Azzurri head coach.#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/h5emYOlH6t
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 8, 2025
His imminent departure – after he takes charge of the Group I meeting with Moldova in Reggio Emilia – was later confirmed by the Italian Football Federation.
'I spoke with (federation president Gabriele) Gravina last night and he informed me that I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach,' Spalletti told a press conference, according to The Athletic.
'I am disappointed: given the relationship we have, I had no intention of stepping down. Especially when things are not going well, I would have preferred to stay and do my job.
'However, it is a dismissal and I have to accept it.
Defeat in Oslo. #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/Yg72rxBljr
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2025
'I have always seen this role as a service to my country and I want to facilitate the future of the national team. I think it is right to seek the best solution.'
Former Roma and Inter Milan coach Spalletti succeeded Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini as Azzurri boss in 2023 after guiding Napoli to the Serie A title.
He has won only 11 of his 23 matches in charge of the national team and oversaw a last-16 exit to Switzerland at Euro 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
28 minutes ago
- Reuters
World Cup dream is still alive despite loss to Belgium, Wales manager Bellamy says
BRUSSELS, June 10 (Reuters) - Wales manager Craig Bellamy said his side are still on track to qualify for the World Cup despite slipping from top spot in their group following a 4-3 defeat in Belgium on Monday. The clash in Brussels would have been marked down as Wales' toughest test in Group J and it looked like the writing was on the wall when they were three goals down inside the first half-hour. But Bellamy's side fought back to level at 3-3 and looked good for a surprise point before Kevin De Bruyne snatched a late winner for the hosts. "To come to a top-eight team and play the way we want to play. I think the Belgian players saw it as well," said Bellamy, who lost his first game as Wales manager after 10 matches in charge. "We aren't going anywhere. I will have a couple of weeks now of recharging, but I'm beyond proud and really excited about the future." Wales have seven points from four matches in their group and are at the halfway stage of their campaign. North Macedonia top the standings with eight points, but Belgium, on four points, have played only two fixtures. The group winner qualifies automatically for next year's finals in North America, while the runners-up go into a playoff competition. Wales next travel to fourth-placed Kazakhstan in September and then have a return clash with the Belgians in Cardiff in October. Sorba Thomas, who scored his first international goal for Wales on Monday, said their second-half performance showed what kind of a team they are. "Even though we lost the game, I feel like we won it in our own heads," he added. "Against countries like this, you'll be punished. I can't wait to play these when we get back to Cardiff." Wales reached the quarter-final of the 1958 World Cup and did not qualify again until the last finals in Qatar in 2022, where they finished bottom of their group.
Wales Online
41 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Wales fan falls from upper tier of stadium during Belgium match
Wales fan falls from upper tier of stadium during Belgium match Eyewitnesses reported a 'loud thud and huge commotion' during the second half of Wales' late defeat to Belgium in Brussels on Monday night Wales fans at the UEFA World Cup Qualifying match at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels, Belgium (Image: PA ) A Welsh football fan has been injured in an incident during Wales' World Cup qualifying match against Belgium. Late in the second half of the game at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels reports emerged that a fan had fallen from the top tier of the stadium into the tier below. One group of fans said an ambulance at the stadium was treating the injured supporter who has been taken to hospital. They added some fans were 'clearly emotional' and in tears as concern grew for the injured person. Wales had more than 4,000 fans inside the stadium when the supporter fell from a higher tier into another group of supporters who were situated in the section below. Ian Hamer, who was at the game as a fan, told BBC Radio Wales that just after Wales scored their third goal "there was a loud thud just to our right and huge commotion in the lower tier. "Police, stewards, paramedics rushed into that area and three, four rows were cordoned off. "Word got around quickly that a Wales fan had fallen from the front of the top tier into the lower tier of the stadium and had landed, had sort of clipped some fans as he fell. Article continues below "The next sort of 15 minutes the paramedics were treating the man and eventually they took him out on a stretcher and brought an ambulance to the back of the concourse, blue lights flashing from where he was taken to hospital after the game. "Everyone's relieved to know that the man who fell is ok." The incident was not captured by TV crews covering the match, which Craig Bellamy's side dramatically lost 4-3 having come back to 3-3 from being 3-0 down inside the opening 27 minutes. You can read more about the game itself here. The Football Association of Wales said in a statement: "We can confirm that one male fan fell from the upper to lower tier during the match at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels this evening. "He was conscious and speaking and has now been taken to hospital for further checks." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Fighter' Nico Raskin hailed again as Rangers hero brings curtain down on campaign with crucial cameo in big Belgium win
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS hero Nico Raskin was hailed by boss Rudi Garcia after his introduction helped power Belgium to a thrilling 4-3 win over Wales. The French-born gaffer held the Ibrox hero in reserve for the clash against Craig Bellamy's side and it looked like an easy end to the season for him as the Belgians coasted into a 3-0 lead in Brussels. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Nico Raskin celebrates with Alexis Saelemaekers and Youri Tielemans Credit: Getty 2 Raskin in action Credit: Getty Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku all netted as the hosts ran riot in the opening half and hour. But Harry Wilson's penalty in added time in first half changed the complexion of the game. And then a spirited Wales side came roaring back through Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson to level with 20 minutes left. It was then that Raskin entered the fray for Dodi Lukebakio, making an instant impact with a cynical yellow card for hauling back Thomas. He thought he had a hand in the winner but Lukaku's 'goal' was ruled out for a lengthy VAR check. But a stellar campaign ended in another win when Kevin de Bruyne popped up in the 89th minute as Belgium recorded the win which is massive in the context of their World Cup qualifying group. Raskin's long term Ibrox future, of course, is a source of uncertainty - with the Gers desperate to either get him to prolong his stay or cash in on a player before he enters the final year of his deal. But performances like these on the international stage won't do anyone any harm. Garcia said afterwards: "Nicolas Raskin's entry was important because we needed fighters on the pitch. "To give away a lead like that, I don't know if it's something mentally, but I'll talk with the players. Rangers boss Barry Ferguson reveals why he's 'had a few arguments' with Ibrox ace Nicolas Raskin "They have showed that they know what to do in the first half. Now, they just need to keep that up for 90 minutes." And Belgian fans were loving his contribution, particularly when it comes to interceptions. One wrote: "Nicolas Raskin in 4 matches with the Red Devils is: "223 minutes on the pitch 1 goal conceded "163 minutes on the bench 6 goals conceded." Next up for Raskin and Belgium is the Liechtenstein team which Scotland made light work of last night. Another man on the Rangers payroll, Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo, entered the fray in the dying minutes. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
