The Italian coach has been kept in his post despite the premature elimination of the defending champions from the Euro against Switzerland on Saturday.
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was confirmed in his role on Sunday by the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) the day after his team, the reigning European champions, were eliminated in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 by Switzerland (2-0).
“Luciano Spalletti has our trust, keeps our trust, he must continue his work”declared Gabriele Gravina at a press conference at the Nazionale base camp in Iserlohn (west of Germany). “We are all responsible, managers, players, coaches (…) It is a project over several years, it is unthinkable to abandon a project after eight months”he continued.
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“There are things to change for sure, things to review, there will be deep reflections to be made, we started (Saturday) evening, we all have to grow, there is only one way to face this moment, through work”insisted Mr. Gravina.
“I made mistakes”
“In 60 days, we already have important matches (in the group stage of the Nations League, particularly against France, Editor’s note). The Mbappés, the Ronaldos will not flourish in 60 days, but there is talent in Italian football, there is certainly work to be done to promote this talent.acknowledged the FIGC president.
Italy finished Euro 2024 with a disastrous record of just one win (2-1 against Albania), one draw (1-1 against Croatia) and two losses (1-0 against Spain and 2-0 against Switzerland), scoring three goals and conceding five.
“I made mistakes”to of are side recognized Spalletti. “Yesterday’s match (against Switzerland) showed that we had fallen back in terms of level, this is not acceptable.”
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The former Naples coach succeeded Roberto Mancini in August 2023, who led the Nazionale to the European title in 2021, before joining Saudi Arabia. His record as coach of the Nazionale is seven wins, four draws and three defeats.
Italy did not participate in the last two editions of the World Cup (2018, 2022). “We are further than we thought (from the competition). It would be an unimaginable disaster not to participate in a World Cup for the third time in a row.acknowledged Gravina, who ruled out resigning.
