Italy fires Spalletti amid prospect it could fail to qualify for 3rd straight World Cup
The fear that four-time champion Italy will fail to qualify for a third straight World Cup has cost coach Luciano Spalletti his job.
Spalletti announced Sunday that he is being fired and will leave after Monday's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
The move comes two days after Italy lost 3-0 at Norway in its opening qualifier.
'Last night I had a conversation with the president (Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina) and he told me that I would be fired,' Spalletti said in a pre-match news conference at Italy's training center.
'I didn't have any intention on (leaving) and I would have preferred to stay on. But it's a sacking and I realize that.' Claudio Ranieri, who just concluded a successful season at Roma but had said he was retiring from coaching, is reportedly the federation's top choice to replace Spalletti.
But the federation did not immediately name a replacement — and after the Moldova game, Italy doesn't play again until September.
Spalletti was hired in August 2023 when Roberto Mancini unexpectedly left to take over Saudi Arabia's national team. Spalletti was given a three-year contract through the 2026 World Cup.
Spalletti's first major tournament ended with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the round of 16 of last year's European Championship.
Then Italy was eliminated from the Nations League quarterfinals after conceding an embarrassing goal to Germany earlier this year — which meant that the Azzurri entered a five-team World Cup qualifying group featuring Erling Haaland's Norway instead of a four-team group in which the highest-ranked nation is Slovakia.
Winning the group is the only way to ensure direct qualification to next year's tournament in North America. The second-placed team goes into the playoffs, the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
Having started qualifying late, Italy has zero points and trails group leader Norway by nine points.
What's more, key defender Francesco Acerbi — the center back who was supposed to mark Haaland — turned down the callup 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 said.
'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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
Portugal clinch second Nations League title; beat Spain 5-3 in penalty shootout
Portugal clinched their second UEFA Nations League title in a stunning 5-3 penalty shootout against Spain. The Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, hosted an electrifying final clash, ending in a 2-2 draw after extra time. Portugal's legendary Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 138th goal in the game. Spain started strongly, controlling possession with their brilliant style. Martín Zubimendi broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. He converted a precise pass from Nico Williams to give Spain a 1-0 lead. Portugal responded quickly, with Nuno Mendes' strike in the 26th minute to level the score at 1-1. Just before halftime, Mikel Oyarzabal reclaimed Spain's lead, sending the ball surpass Portugal's goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 44th minute. The score then became 2-1. Despite Spain's dominance, Portugal didn't lose hope in the game. The second half saw Portugal fight back with renewed and turn the tables. In the 61st minute, Cristiano Ronaldo, defying his 40 years, scored his 138th international goal, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum shifted towards Portugal. Both teams created chances, with Bruno Fernandes and Lamine Yamal testing the goalkeepers, but neither could find a winner in regulation time. A late clearance by Portugal's Vitinha and a yellow card to Spain's Le Normand for a foul added to the intensity. The match went into extra time, both teams looked strong and tried to score a goal. Despite close calls, including a crucial clearance by Spain's Alex Baena, the score remained 2-2. The final headed to a penalty shootout, where Portugal's star players guided the team to a win. Spain's Alvaro Morata saw his penalty saved by Diogo Costa, while Ruben Neves calmly converted the decisive spot kick, securing a 5-3 shootout victory and Portugal's second Nations League title. Nuno Mendes was named Player of the Tournament for his standout performance. Portugal's triumph marked a historic moment, with Ronaldo proving his enduring brilliance. They had won their maiden title in the year 2019 which was the inaugural season of the Nations League. Portugal had won 1-0 against the Netherlands. France won the match 2-1 against Germany to secure third place in the Nations League 2025. Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal for France in the 43rd minute and Michael Olise scored the second one in the 84th minute. Notably, Germany was defeated by Portugal and France lost to Spain in the semifinals.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks down in tears as Portugal beat Spain in penalties to clinch Nations League
Legendary Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears after Portugal defeated favourites Spain in the final of the Nations League. Portugal clinched their second Nations League title in a tense final at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, June 8, beating the Euro champions on penalties. After being held to a 2-2 draw at extra time, Portugal converted all 5 of their spot kicks to beat Spain 5-3 in the penalty who had scored to send the match into extra time, broke into tears after his team won the tournament, besting heavyweights Spain, who were billed to be the winners ahead of the summit clash. Ronaldo's goal in the final was the 138th of his international career. With the goal, he pulled himself further away from the competition as the highest scorer in international football, well ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Sunil is in tears after Portugal's Nations League victory FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 8, 2025Ronaldo's goal came after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain a 2-1 halftime lead. Oyarzabal squeezed the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 45th after Pedri played him in. Martin Zubimendi had broken the deadlock in the 21st with a tap-in when Portugal's defense failed to deal with Lamine Yamal's cross. Then Nuno Mendes levelled five minutes later when he drilled a low shot inside the far The 40-year-old Ronaldo went off to a standing ovation and a hug from coach Roberto Martnez in the the match remained undecided in extra time, both teams went into penalties. Spain's Alvaro Morata, who played with Ronaldo during their time in Real Madrid was the only one to miss in the shootout, meaning that Portugal were crowned champions on Sunday.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
French Open 2025: It's a privilege to make history with you, Alcaraz tells Sinner after defending title
French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz praised his rival Jannik Sinner after their burgeoning rivalry offered the Roland Garros crowd a vintage final clash at Roland Garros on Sunday. Spain's Alcaraz retained his title after saving three match points to beat world number one Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in the longest French Open final since tennis turned professional in 1968 - a battle lasting five hours 29 minutes. 'I am pretty sure you are going to be champion not once, but many, many times. It is a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament,' Alcaraz said on court after ending Sinner's 20-match winning streak at Grand Slams. 'I am just really, really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament, in other tournaments; you are a huge inspiration to young kids and to me.' Alcaraz has now won his five Grand Slam finals and handed Sinner his first defeat in a major final after the Italian claimed his first three at the Australian Open (2024 and 2025) and U.S. Open (2024). ALSO READ: Sinner prepares for sleepless night after dramatic loss to Alcaraz at French Open Alcaraz thanked the court Philippe Chatrier crowd for their support, which he said helped him throughout the tournament. 'Then Paris, guys, I mean, you have been a really important support to me since the first practice, since the first round,' he said. 'You were unbelievable. You were insane for me. I mean, I just can't, can't thank enough, you know, to you for the great support during the whole week, for today's match. 'For today's match, you were really, really important. You are in my heart and you'll always be in my heart. So thank you. Thank you very much, Paris. And see you next year.'
