Luciano Spalletti announced that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Italian national team—just days after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Norway in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Spalletti, 66, confirmed he will still be on the touchline for Monday’s match against Moldova, but declared it would be his final game in charge of the Azzurri.
“Last night we were very together with president [Gabriele] Gravina,” Spalletti said. “He told me I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team. I had no intention of giving up.”
The loss in Oslo saw Italy concede three first-half goals, a result that plunged the team into early crisis in Group I, where they compete with Norway, Moldova, Estonia, and Israel. Italy now risk a complicated qualification path for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spalletti, who took charge in 2023 following Roberto Mancini’s resignation, has managed 23 games, winning only 11. He led the squad at Euro 2024, where Italy were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Switzerland.
“These are the results under my management and I have to take responsibility,” he admitted. “I love this shirt, this job and the players I’ve coached. Tomorrow night I’ll ask them to show the heart I know they have.”
The former Napoli, Inter Milan, and Roma manager abruptly stormed out of the press conference, underlining the growing tension surrounding the national side.
