Luciano Spalletti will remain as Italy’s coach despite the Azzurri’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024. Italy was eliminated at the last-16 stage following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin. Despite the poor performance, the head of Italy’s football federation, Gabriele Gravina, confirmed that Spalletti’s position is secure.
Gravina’s Support for Spalletti
Gravina emphasized the importance of continuity and long-term planning. “I’m pragmatic; it’s impossible to resolve problems by abandoning a long-term project or the coach and players involved in it,” he told reporters. Gravina expressed continued support for Spalletti and stressed the need for patience as the team prepares for the Nations League, which starts in 60 days.
Spalletti’s Challenges and Adaptations
Italy entered Euro 2024 as reigning champions but struggled under Spalletti, who replaced Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini last summer. Spalletti, who previously led Napoli to a historic Serie A title, faced a challenging tournament. He frequently altered line-ups and formations and had tense interactions with journalists.
Spalletti’s Acknowledgment
Before the tournament, Spalletti promised to bring his best to the role but admitted to falling short. “Obviously not, because if I had, we’d be discussing something different,” Spalletti said. “The match last night brought us back down to zero, and it’s from there that we need to start again.”
Looking Ahead: Nations League Campaign
Italy’s Nations League campaign begins against France in Paris on September 6, with matches against Belgium and Israel also on the horizon in Group A2. Gravina’s message highlighted the reality that Italy cannot expect a sudden emergence of a superstar like Kylian Mbappe or Cristiano Ronaldo and must instead focus on developing consistency and resilience within the current squad.