Ranieri among potential options to replace Spalletti as Italy head coach

TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Saturday’s reports claim that Roma advisor Claudio Ranieri is among the options to replace Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team in the event that there is an upcoming change in the Azzurri dugout. 

CT Spalletti is under increasing scrutiny after a disastrous 3-0 loss away against Norway on Friday night, which has already complicated the qualification route for the 2026 World Cup. 

Spalletti is due to sit down with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina for a review after the next World Cup qualifier against Moldova on Monday night, with multiple outlets suggesting that it could be time for a change after less than two years of the Spalletti era. 

Ranieri and Pioli among options for Italy head coach 

While Italy are not expected to change head coaches before the Moldova match on Monday, there are already growing reports with suggestions of possible replacements for Spalletti. 

According to the likes of Gianluca Di Marzio and Calciomercato.com, Ranieri is among the list of options if Spalletti moves on, or is moved on in the immediate future. 

The 73-year-old has just stepped down as head coach of Roma, having served on an interim basis from November until the end of the 2024-25 season. The Giallorossi have confirmed on Saturday that he will now serve as a manager and advisor to the ownership group. 

Ranieri has, however, hinted previously that he is keen on the idea of managing at international level. 

“If tomorrow, a national team, not necessarily Italy, comes and triggers me, I can say yes, but I won’t coach another club,” Ranieri said last year. 

He also hinted that he would step away from management at the end of his time with Cagliari in 2023-24, only to end up as head coach of Roma again in 2024-25, showing that he is not afraid to go back on his word. 

Also among the list of potential replacements in the event that Spalletti leaves is former Milan Scudetto winner Stefano Pioli, who is expected to leave his position with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in the near future. 

Gianluca Di Marzio also suggests that Daniele De Rossi could be an altre soluzioni option for the Nazionale. 

Some of the other ‘ideal’ candidates for the Italy national team job are currently engaged in other roles, however, including Carlo Ancelotti with Brazil, Massimiliano Allegri with Milan, Antonio Conte with Napoli and Gian Piero Gasperini with Roma.