Despite a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign that ended with a 2-0 defeat against Switzerland in the round of 16, Luciano Spalletti will be allowed to continue as the head coach of Italy. Gabriele Gavrina, the head of the Italian FA, reaffirmed their trust in Spalletti during a news conference on Sunday. He stated, “Spalletti has our full trust and we will move forward with him. It is not thinkable to change head coach and stop this project.”
Spalletti, who took over as Italy’s head coach only nine months ago, has led the team in 14 games, with seven wins, four draws, and three losses. Despite the disappointment at Euro 2024, where Italy faced two defeats, Gavrina expressed confidence in Spalletti’s ability to lead the team. The former Napoli manager, who clinched the Serie A title in 2023, signed a three-year contract until September 2026. His aim is now to guide the team to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spalletti acknowledged the team’s recent shortcomings by stating, “I have not been the best Spalletti possible. Yesterday we made an unacceptable step backwards.”
Italy’s performance at Euro 2024 was marred by inconsistent results. The team narrowly qualified for the knockout stages with a last-minute equalizer against Croatia but suffered defeats in crucial matches. Despite a promising start with a 2-1 win over Albania, Italy struggled against Spain, ultimately losing 1-0. Throughout the tournament, Italy consistently found themselves trailing in all four matches, highlighting the need for improvement in various aspects of their game.
Looking ahead, Spalletti emphasized the need to make the squad younger and rebuild it from the ground up. His vision for the future involves restructuring the team to address the challenges faced during Euro 2024 and to create a more competitive and cohesive unit. With a renewed focus on developing young talent and fostering a winning mentality, Spalletti aims to lead Italy to success in upcoming competitions, including the World Cup.
While Italy’s performance at Euro 2024 fell short of expectations, the decision to retain Luciano Spalletti as head coach signifies a commitment to continuity and long-term planning. With a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision for the future, Spalletti and his team are poised to overcome challenges and strive for success on the international stage.