Luciano Spalletti's tenure as Italy's national team coach has come to an abrupt end following a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The announcement, made by Spalletti himself at a press conference on Sunday, has sent shockwaves through Italian football, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the future of the Azzurri.
Spalletti, who took charge of the national team in September 2023 after Roberto Mancini's departure, confirmed that he was informed of the decision by Italian FA (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina. Despite expressing his desire to continue in the role, particularly during challenging times, Spalletti acknowledged that he had to accept the decision. He stated that he viewed his position as a service to the country and wished to facilitate the national team's future by stepping aside.
The defeat against Norway was a significant blow, leaving Italy with an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. The Azzurri now sit nine points behind Norway in Group I, albeit with two games in hand. Only the top team in the group automatically qualifies for the tournament, raising the specter of Italy potentially facing the play-offs once again, a scenario they will be keen to avoid after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Spalletti's reign, which lasted less than two years, was marked by inconsistency. While he successfully guided Italy to Euro 2024, their performance in the tournament was underwhelming. After a promising opening win against Albania, they suffered a defeat to Spain and a late draw against Croatia, barely scraping through to the last 16. Their journey ended with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland, a result for which Spalletti took full responsibility, citing his team selection as the primary cause of their failure.
In total, Spalletti oversaw 23 matches as Italy coach, achieving 11 wins, six draws, and six losses. While this record may appear respectable on the surface, it falls short of the expectations associated with the Italian national team. The pressure to deliver success on the international stage is immense, and the defeat to Norway proved to be the final straw for the FIGC.
Despite his disappointment, Spalletti will remain in charge for Italy's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Moldova before officially departing. He expressed his love for the team, the job, and the players he has coached, urging them to give their best in the final match under his leadership. Spalletti also acknowledged his failure to bring out the desired quality of play, expressing regret and taking responsibility for the team's shortcomings under his management.
The FIGC now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement for Spalletti to steer the national team forward. The new coach will inherit a team in transition, with the immediate priority being to revive their World Cup qualifying campaign and restore confidence among the players and supporters. The pressure will be on to quickly turn things around and ensure that Italy does not miss out on another major international tournament.
