Spalletti confirms Italy national team departure: ‘I’ll terminate the contract’ | OneFootball

Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that he will be leaving his position as CT following Monday night’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova, just days after a 3-0 humiliation away against Norway, which has already put 2026 World Cup qualification at risk.

Spalletti has confirmed during his pre-match press conference that he will step away from his position as head coach of the Italy national team in the near future.

Spalletti claims that the federation have already informed him that he will be relieved of his duties, but he claims that he will ‘terminate’ his contract instead.

Spalletti is still expected to be in charge for the World Cup qualifier against Moldova on home soil on Monday night, after which he is expected to officially formalise his departure from the national team set-up.

Breaking: Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Luciano Spalletti, head coach of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

“We spoke last night and they told me that I will be relieved of my position as national team head coach,” Spalletti said during a pre-match press conference on Sunday, reports via Sky Sport Italia.

“I was sorry, given the relationship we have, I had no intention of giving up,” he continued.

“I would have preferred to stay and do my jov, especially when things aren’t going well. However, if it’s an exonoration, then I have to accept it. I have always seen this role as a service to the homeland, and I want to help the future of the national team.

“I think it’s right to look for the best, I will terminate my contract. I’ll be there tomorrow night against Moldova. I have always maintained that my players are strong. The results under my management are what they are and I have to take responsibility.”

Spalletti continued by answering a long line of questions from reporters immediately after confirming his decision to leave, ane eventually got up and walked out after being asked if he felt ‘betrayed’.

Click here to read everything Spalletti had to say during his Italy press conference on Sunday.

Spalletti’s Italy tenure: Re-cap

Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, interacts with Mateo Retegui of Italy after the team’s defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Italy at Arena AufSchalke on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

Spalletti leaves his position as head coach of the Italy national team after just shy of two years in the role, having replaced Roberto Mancini after his departre for Saudi Arabia in August of 2023.

Since then, Spalletti has overseen the build-up to the EURO 2024 campaign and the tournament itslef, which ended in a massively disappointing round of 16 exit in a 2-0 loss to Switzerland last summer.

The Azzurri bounced back with a promising start to their Nations League campaign, picking up encouraging victories against France, Israel and Belgium, but ultimately finished their group in second place, and then went on to lost to Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Spalletti’s reign came to an end after the 3-0 loss to Norway on Friday night,  Italy’s first match of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

Though Italy have played at least one game less than every other team in their group, they are already nine points off the top of the group table. Only the teams at the top of the UEFA qualifying groups will qualify directrly for the 2026 World Cup. Those in second will have to settle for a place in the play-offs. Third or below will not be enough to qualify.