Luciano Spalletti says he has been sacked as Italy head coach

Luciano Spalletti says he has been sacked as Italy head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Spalletti confirmed the news at his news conference on Sunday ahead of Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova. That followed increased pressure after Spalletti’s side opened their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Norway on Friday, a result which Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma described as “not acceptable”.

“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,” Spalletti said. “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 asked if he feels betrayed. Gets up, walks out

— James Horncastle OMRI (@JamesHorncastle) June 8, 2025

Spalletti took charge of Italy in August 2023, replacing Roberto Mancini. He oversaw a difficult 2024 European Championship campaign as they exited with a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland in the round of 16, winning just one match in the tournament. The 66-year-old has won 11 of his 23 matches in charge of Italy.

Italy reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Nations League but were ousted by Germany in the quarter-final after a 5-4 aggregate defeat.

Four-time champions Italy have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, despite winning Euro 2020 under Mancini. They sit fourth of five in their qualifying group for the 2026 edition with zero points, but have played one match as opposed to two or three so far due to their participation in the Nations League.

Spalletti previously led Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2022-23 campaign.

‘Spalletti up against it from the start – but his handling of issues has not helped’

Analysis by Italian football writer James Horncastle

Some felt Spalletti should have already gone after Italy’s insipid display against Switzerland at the Euros last summer. In fairness, he deserved more time.

People are quick to forget Spalletti was supposed to be on sabbatical after leading Napoli to their first league title in 33 years. His country called when Roberto Mancini resigned during the qualifiers for the Euros after receiving a head-turning offer from Saudi Arabia.

Spalletti has been up against it from the start, taking over at a time of extreme generational transition. Betting scandals implicating Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli, the marginalisation of Federico Chiesa at Liverpool and a spate of injuries have not helped. But nor has Spalletti’s handling of some players and the media.

Friday’s 3-0 defeat against Norway came after a fallout with Francesco Acerbi, who turned down a call-up at a time when the national team was already without five centre-backs. That Mancini liked Acerbi’s social media post explaining his decision appeared to rattle Spalletti, who hoped his predecessor’s phone had been hacked.

Nine points adrift of Norway with two games in hand in their World Cup qualifying group, the nation fears another play-off and missing out on a third consecutive edition of the tournament. The Italian Football Federation is expected to consider Claudio Ranieri, Stefano Pioli and Fabio Cannavaro as prospective replacements.

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