Italy failed this Saturday in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, but its coach will not be removed from his position. After the elimination against Switzerland (2-0), the transalpine federation announced this Sunday that Luciano Spalletti was retained in his post.
Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian federation, supported the 65-year-old coach: “Luciano Spalletti has our trust, keeps our trust, he must continue his work. We are all responsible, managers, players, coaches (…) It is a project over several years, it is unthinkable to abandon a project after eight months.”
” It’s not acceptable “
The former Napoli coach took over from Roberto Mancini, winner of Euro 2021, last August. He also acknowledged his mistakes: “Yesterday’s match (against Switzerland) showed that we had gone backwards in terms of level, that’s not acceptable. This match brought us back to zero, we’re starting from there, I’m going to continue to rejuvenate our group (…) The players didn’t give me the answers I expected from them, we need young and new players.”
Gabriele Gravina promises that the Nazionale will quickly get back to work: “In 60 days, we already have important matches (in the group stage of the Nations League, notably against France). The Mbappés, the Ronaldos will not blossom in 60 days, but there is talent in Italian football, there is certainly work to be done to promote this talent. We are further than we thought (from the competition).”
Italy had also failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. “It would be an unimaginable disaster not to participate in a World Cup for the third consecutive time,” admitted Gravina, who ruled out resigning.
