According to Corriere della Sera, Gabriele Gravina relieved Luciano Spalletti from his duties on Saturday, saying that it was ‘impossible to continue like this’ as the coach was criticised ‘for every little mistake.’
Spalletti will take charge of his final game as Italy national team coach tonight, leading the Azzurri in a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova.
Spalletti waived his severance pay and convinced Gravina to announce his dismissal during a pre-match press conference on Sunday.
According to Gazzetta, Italian players didn’t stand against the FIGC decision, although nobody was openly against the coach.
What Gravina told Spalletti
As per Corriere della Sera, Gravina informed Spalletti about his decision by saying: “Luciano, it’s impossible to continue like this. They criticise you for every little mistake. One wrong corner kick and they’re all over you.”
Spalletti’s results as Italy coach
Spalletti faced elimination from the 2024 Euros last summer with a poor performance against Switzerland in the Round of 16, which was mirrored by a 3-0 loss against Norway on Friday, in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Italy appointed Spalletti in September 2023, and the 66-year-old has won 11 games from 23, with six losses and six draws.
Gravina has made Claudio Ranieri the leading candidate to replace Spalletti and has already spoken to the Roma advisor before contacting Giallorossi owner Dan Friedkin.
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