Italy Next Coach: Candidates & World Cup Outlook
- Luciano Spalletti is out as Italy's national soccer coach.The proclamation came after a 3-0 defeat against Norway in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
- "The FA president Gabriele Gravina informed me that I will be relieved of my role as head coach of the national team after the match against Moldova," Spalletti...
- Spalletti took over in August 2023 after Roberto Mancini's departure.
Italy’s soccer world is in flux! Following a devastating loss, Luciano Spalletti is out, and the search for a new coach begins. Italy, after poor results in both euro 2024 and World Cup qualifiers, must now find a leader to take them to the 2026 World Cup. Stefano Pioli and Claudio Ranieri are frontrunners for the prestigious role. The Italian FA is determined to swiftly find a candidate who can revitalise their squad and restore the team to its former glory. With Italy’s World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, every decision matters. News Directory 3 delivers the breaking news. Discover what’s next for the Azzurri…
Italy Seeks New coach After Spalletti’s World Cup Qualifier Exit
Updated June 08, 2025
Luciano Spalletti is out as Italy’s national soccer coach.The proclamation came after a 3-0 defeat against Norway in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Spalletti revealed that Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina informed him of the decision,which will take effect after monday’s game against Moldova.
“The FA president Gabriele Gravina informed me that I will be relieved of my role as head coach of the national team after the match against Moldova,” Spalletti said. He expressed disappointment but accepted the decision, citing negative results as the reason for his dismissal.The search for a new coach begins as Italy aims to improve its soccer program.
Spalletti took over in August 2023 after Roberto Mancini’s departure. His tenure included a disappointing Euro 2024, where Italy was eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.Despite remaining in charge, Italy’s performances declined, with three losses in the last four matches, including the recent defeat to Norway. The Italian FA hopes a coaching change can revitalize the national team and improve their chances in future tournaments, especially the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“Keep saying that I haven’t found a connection with the players… Given what has happened lately, I think we need to work on the sense of belonging to this national team,” Spalletti said.
Who might be the next Italy soccer coach?
Stefano Pioli and Claudio Ranieri are the leading candidates to replace Spalletti. Pioli, currently managing Al-Nassr, is expected to leave the Saudi club. Ranieri, who famously led Leicester City to a Premier League title, recently concluded his managerial career with AS Roma and now serves as a senior advisor. The Italian FA hopes the new coach can turn things around and secure a spot in the next World Cup, after Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. The focus remains on finding the right leader to guide italy’s soccer future.
What’s next
The Italian FA will now focus on selecting a new coach to lead the national team through the remainder of the World Cup qualification process. The new coach will be tasked with improving team performance and fostering a stronger sense of unity among the players,aiming to secure Italy’s place in the 2026 World Cup.