News that is set to shake the world of Italian football: Luciano Spalletti will no longer be the national team's coach.
Spalletti himself announced it in a dramatic press conference on the eve of the match against Moldova, scheduled for tomorrow in Reggio Emilia.
“President Gravina has informed me that I will be relieved of my duties after tomorrow's match. We will terminate the contract,” said the visibly embittered coach.
Farewell after the match with Moldova
Spalletti will lead the Azzurri for the last time against Moldova, before handing over to his successor. "Personally, I'm sorry, I had no intention of giving up. I tried to serve my country without envy or jealousy, but I have to take note of the decision," added the coach, underlining his bond with the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, with whom he had a long discussion yesterday evening.
The Tuscan coach, who took over the national team in 2023, did not hide his disappointment with the results obtained, taking full responsibility: "Some bad results emerged, and I am not satisfied. I created problems for the movement, I was convinced I could have done differently. I am disappointed with myself".
Spalletti then turned his thoughts to the players, defining them as “strong guys”, but admitted that he had not managed to create that “single body” with the team that was necessary to achieve success.
A bitter balance
Despite his efforts, Spalletti acknowledged the difficulties he encountered during his tenure. “I knew there were obstacles, but I was unable to get the most out of the players, many of whom I saw as below par compared to their potential,” he confessed. Addressing the media, he added with a hint of irony: “The other night you were even too kind with what you wrote. You could have said worse.”
With the contract set to be terminated after tomorrow's match, Spalletti expressed the desire to close his experience in style: "Winning and convincing tomorrow night would be the perfect way to help whoever replaces me and open the new cycle in the best possible way". A wish that sounds like a final act of dedication to the national team, despite the bitterness for an unexpected epilogue.
The announcement of his dismissal comes at a delicate moment for Italian football, with the national team called upon to regain momentum and identity. It now remains to be seen who will be chosen to take up Spalletti's legacy and lead the Azzurri towards the next international challenges. In the meantime, all attention is focused on tomorrow's match, which will mark the last page of a controversial chapter in the recent history of the Italian national team.
Article published on 8 June 2025 - 15:40
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