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Saba Yemen
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Spalletti announces departure as Italy coach after Tomorrow's Moldova match
Rome – Saba: Luciano Spalletti confirmed on Sunday that he will step down as Italy coach after the match against Moldova in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Monday. The Italian national team coach revealed that he had already been informed that he would be dismissed, but decided to terminate his contract after the Moldova match tomorrow, Monday, following Italy's humiliating 3-0 away defeat to Norway last Friday. Although the loss came at the start of the team's Group 9 campaign, it complicated Italy's chances of qualifying early, leaving them nine points behind leaders Norway, according to Anadolu Agency. During the press conference he held before the Moldova match, Spalletti said: "Gravina (the president of the Italian Football Federation) informed me that I will be relieved of my duties after the match, and we will terminate my contract." He continued, "I was sorry. Given our relationship, I had no intention of giving up, but I take responsibility. I will win and convince myself on Monday to help my successor." Spalletti added, "I would have preferred to stay and do my job, especially when things aren't going well. However, if this is an apology, I have to accept it. I have always considered this role a service to the homeland, and I want to contribute to building the future of the national team." He continued, "I think it's right to look for the best, and I will finish my contract. I will be present tomorrow against Moldova. I have always maintained that my players are strong, and the results under my management are what they are, and I have to take responsibility." Luciano Spalletti, 66, took over as coach of the Italian national team in September 2023, succeeding Roberto Mancini, on a contract until 2026. Under Spalletti, Italy played a total of 23 matches, winning 11, drawing six, and losing six. The Italian national team missed the last two World Cups, in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Metro
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Retired Chelsea icon favourite for major international job ahead of World Cup
Claudio Ranieri's stance on coming out of retirement for a second time to become Italy national team manager has reportedly been revealed. The former Chelsea and Leicester City manager is one of the favourites to take over the Azzurri after Luciano Spalletti was suddenly sacked on Sunday. Italy's hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup are in jeopardy after a 1-0 loss Norway on Friday, a result that leaves them nine points off the automatic qualifying spot, albeit they have two games in hand. Bizarrely, Spalletti, who was appointed just under two years ago, announced his own sacking in a press conference, but will still take charge of Monday's clash against Moldova. 'I spoke with [Italian Football Federation president Gabriele] Gravina last night and he informed me that I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach,' the 66-year-old told reporters. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. '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. 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.' Spalletti subsequently stormed out of the press conference upon being asked if he felt 'betrayed'. The Athletic report that Ranieri, Stefano Pioli and Fabio Cannavaro will be considered for the top job, even though Ranieri has just retired from management for the second time. The 73-year-old, best known for the 5000-1 Premier League title win with Leicester, announced he was walking away from the dugout last summer following a long career, that also saw spells at Chelsea, Fulham and Watford. He U-turned on that decision after just a few months however to take charge of his beloved Roma and after remarkably guiding them to the verge of Champions League qualification, he has taken up an advisory role at the Serie A club. More Trending But it is said Ranieri is the Italian Football Federation's first choice and they will push to hire him. Reports from Italy say Ranieri is conflicted over whether to stay at Roma or take charge of Azzurri but is perhaps more inclined toward the former. The Italian's only other venture in international management was a disastrous spell in charge of Greece where he failed to win any of his four games and embarrassingly lost to the Faroe Islands. Despite beating England in the Euro 2020 final, Italy's recent record on the international stage has been shocking, failing to qualify for the last two World Cups and getting knocked out in the group stage of the two tournaments prior to that. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea handed boost as Victor Osimhen rejects £63m transfer MORE: Chelsea set asking price as transfer flop Joao Felix chooses next club MORE: England v Senegal odds: Three Lions must respond to Thomas Tuchel's criticism after poor show against Andorra
India Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Luciano Spalletti sacked as Italy head coach days after Norway thrashing
Luciano Spalletti's stint as Italy head coach has come to an abrupt end after the national team's humiliating 3-0 defeat to Norway in the World Cup qualifiers. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that Spalletti will step down after Italy's match against Moldova on Monday, marking a swift reaction to the team's worst start in qualifying 66-year-old made the announcement himself during a pre-match press conference, revealing that FIGC president Gabriele Gravina had informed him of the decision. While Spalletti insisted he had no plans to quit, the loss to Norway appears to have sealed his night we were very together with president [Gabriele] Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team," Spalletti said. "I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I'll be there [on Monday] evening against Moldova, then we'll resolve the contract," he took charge of Italy in August 2023, stepping in after Roberto Mancini's sudden departure. The former Napoli boss arrived with high expectations, fresh off a historic Serie A title win. But Italy's performances under his guidance proved erratic. The Azzurri were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the Round of 16 by Switzerland, winning only one game throughout the results have only deepened the crisis. The team has now gone three World Cup qualifiers without scoring — the worst such run in their history. The latest blow came against Norway, where Italy were thoroughly outplayed and went into half-time already three goals down. That defeat left Italy facing an uphill task to secure automatic Italy had shown signs of recovery in the Nations League — including a strong 3-1 win away against France — inconsistency has plagued their progress. A dramatic collapse against Germany in the Nations League quarterfinals earlier this year foreshadowed Friday's debacle in Oslo. After failing to qualify for the last two World Cups, the FIGC has decided it cannot afford another repeat — and Spalletti has paid the price.
Powys County Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Luciano Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role after Moldova match
Luciano Spalletti has been sacked as Italy head coach. 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 — 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 — 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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Donnarumma says Italy's form unacceptable after drubbing by Norway
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma offered no excuses for his side's poor showing in their 3-0 defeat at Norway in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday, saying their form was not acceptable and the fans deserve better. Playing the first match of their qualifying campaign, Italy was stunned after a ruthless first-half performance by Norway, which put three past the visitor thanks to Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland. Italy sits fourth in Group I, while Norway leads the group with nine points from three matches. Estonia, Moldova and Israel are also in Group I. 'I have no explanation at the moment. You just have to go inside and realise the performance tonight. Our fans don't deserve this,' Donnarumma told Italian TV channel Rai Sport. 'We all have to come out of these games together, we need to examine our conscience.' The four-times World Cup winner has not qualified for the global showpiece event since 2014. Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said his team was going through a difficult patch and that he would speak with the Italian Football Federation about the situation. ALSO READ: Haaland scores as Norway thrashes Italy in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers 'From us, it has to come from us first of all. We are Italy and these matches are not acceptable... We must be more united than before,' said Donnarumma, who won the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup and French Super Cup titles with Paris St Germain in the recently concluded season. Italy next hosts fifth-placed Moldova on Monday.
