Luciano Spalletti: Italy coach reveals own sacking in emotional press conference | OneFootball

The Azzurri are in danger of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup

Luciano Spalletti revealed that he has been sacked as head coach of the Italian national team after falling to a 3-0 defeat in Norway on Friday.

Italy have struggled for form of late, with the Norway defeat capping a four-match winless run. That trip to Oslo proved the final straw, as Spalletti confirmed in an emotional press conference on Sunday.

“Yesterday evening, the president [Gabriele Gravina] told me that I will be relieved of my duties as coach," he admitted apologetically.

"I was sorry, I had no intention of giving up, especially when things aren't going well.

“I would have preferred to stay in my position and continue to do my job. However, I must then take note... of what the path has been, the results.”

erling haaland was among the goalscorers as norway trounced italy in oslo

AP

Monday’s meeting with Moldova will be Spalletti’s final match in the dugout with the national team, and he hopes to end his tenure on a high.

“Since I have interpreted this role as a service to the country, it is my intention to facilitate the future of the national team in every way. Tomorrow evening I will be there to be the coach, then I will terminate the contract.

“Speaking with the president, we decided that this is how we do it, as men, taking responsibility. And even if I will no longer be the coach, we absolutely must carry out our task.

“I want to end with a good win, also because I remain convinced that these are the right men to go to the World Cup.”

Italy are determined to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after failing to reach either of the last two editions, and will hope a new head coach can inspire the team to improve their form.

Gravina said he had appreciated Spalletti’s efforts in the role despite the unfavourable results, hailing his ‘noble soul’ as he hit out at the Azzurri’s critics.

He enthused: “Luciano Spalletti is the most correct person I have met in the world of football. He is an extraordinary person, with a noble soul, who is trying to carry forward an extraordinary project.

“The attacks he is suffering are absolutely undeserved. I say this with bitterness and with a heavy heart, because he is truly a good person.

“We have to go to the World Cup, and there are many other matches."