Coach Luciano Spalletti is the new Italian football coach, succeeding Roberto Mancini, who unexpectedly left his post last week, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced today in a statement on its official website.
Spalletti officially assumes the status of Italian coach from September 1, signing a contract until 2026, a period that includes Euro 2024, which will take place in Germany, and the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“The national team needed a great coach and I am delighted that he has accepted our invitation. His enthusiasm and experience will be key to the challenges Italy faces in the coming months.”said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
The 64-year-old coach, despite not owning a club, is currently Italy’s club champion, having led Napoli to Serie A victory in 2022/23.
Last week, Mancini announced with a surprise his resignation as commander of the ‘azzurra squad’, a position he has held since 2018, all the more so after he also recently took on the role of coordinator of the youth teams (under-20 and lower) -21).
Mancini led Italy to winning Euro 2020 but was denied entry to the 2022 World Cup, which took place in Qatar, in the second consecutive World Cup without the transalpine presence.
Spalletti will have his first experience of national team football, after a long career in which he played for Inter Milan, Roma and Udinese, as well as for Zenit St. Petersburg, Russia, alongside Napoli.
Spalletti’s arrival in the Italian national team may not be a peaceful one, as at the end of the season and still on a one-year contract, Napoli let the coach go without charge, promising that he would at least be a years of training.
The Tuscan coach will make his debut in September in the double qualifying round for Euro2024, first in North Macedonia (9), the team that knocked out the Italians at the last World Cup, and then at the reception in Ukraine (12).
Italy is third in Group C, with three points from two games, in a group that also includes England and Malta.
Source: DN
