Concerns about the 2026 World Cup qualification: Italy's national coach Luciano Spalletti has to go

(dpa) Italy's national football coach Luciano Spalletti has been sacked following the 3-0 defeat in the World Cup qualifier against Norway. The 66-year-old announced that he will no longer be on the bench after the next match against Moldova on Monday evening. The association has informed him that he is being relieved of his duties as national coach. Following the defeat, Italy fears that, after missing two World Cups in a row, it will also miss the 2026 World Cup.

"I'm sorry. I would have preferred to stay and try to change things," Spalletti said at a press conference on Sunday. He said he has a very good relationship with federation president Gabriele Gravina. "But I accept the dismissal due to the negative results." After Monday's game, he will give his approval to terminate his contract. "I owe this to the federation, which has always supported me, even when the results were lacking."

Spalletti, who succeeded Roberto Mancini in September 2023, had made a poor start to World Cup qualifying with the "Squadra Azzurra" in Norway on Friday and was heavily criticized as a result. Spalletti had already come under pressure after last summer's European Championship round of 16 exit to Switzerland, but was confirmed in his position.

The former SSC Napoli champion coach has been head coach of the national team since September 2023. Among those being discussed as a successor is former AS Roma coach Claudio Ranieri. The 73-year-old actually wanted to retire after the recently concluded season.