REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy looks on during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Former Italy coach Luciano Spalletti needs ‘time to accept the pain’ of his dismissal, but compliments Gennaro Gattuso on ‘doing something different tactically.’
The tactician was hired just weeks after securing the Scudetto at Napoli, when Roberto Mancini suddenly stepped down in September 2023.
He took the Nazionale to EURO 2024 and was fired in June 2025, after starting the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat in Norway.
Spalletti still not over Italy dismissal
“At this moment, my experience with Italy is still hammering in my head,” said Spalletti at a literature festival in Arezzo, when asked if he felt ready for his next job.
“I didn’t try to forget it, we have to accept experience and all that it brings us. It didn’t go the way I wanted, but I did give it my all. Now I need a little time to accept that pain, then I will start again.”
Spalletti was informed of his dismissal after the loss to Norway, but days before their second World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
“If I had not wanted to continue, I would’ve resigned, but I was fired,” he explained.
“I don’t know if it could’ve been done differently. Many of those who work with the Nazionale stood by me and can evaluate my behaviour.”
Among the moments of tension around the Italy squad, Francesco Acerbi said he felt “used” when Spalletti tried to recall the 37-year-old Inter defender only for one match in Norway, having previously said he was too old.
“There were others with me, so you can ask them if I said the truth or not,” replied the coach.
“I did things the right way, I made the call-ups in agreement with the clubs, then in a phone call I almost apologised, recognising how well he had done that season in Serie A and the Champions League. I naturally asked him if I had his total availability, I don’t see why that was a problem.”
Now Gattuso is at the helm of the Italy squad and has overseen two hard-fought victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“Gattuso has done very well, especially in the second match, where he had to do something different tactically, and he chose very well. Having two strikers close together proved to be the correct decision, so he deserves congratulations.”
Does Spalletti think Italy will qualify for the World Cup this time?
“Italy has to go to the World Cup. I would’ve thought that even if I had remained. We lost some games, it became difficult to deal with some of those results. I am pleased that the players felt themselves liberated, I saw them say that here and there. My objective was to have them all free to play and win.”
There were reports that Spalletti had been offered jobs in the Saudi Pro League and the Turkish Super Lig, but decided to take some time out.
“I have been fortunate in my career with the sides I was able to work with. I am convinced something can happen, but I won’t go digging around or forcing any developments. It must all be very natural,” concluded the coach.
