Despite Italy’s disappointing performance at Euro 2024, head coach Luciano Spalletti will be retaining his position. This decision was confirmed by Gabriele Gavrina, the head of the Italian Football Association, in a news conference held on Sunday. Gavrina expressed the FA’s full trust in Spalletti and emphasized the continuation of the project under his leadership. The FA believes that changing head coaches at this point would jeopardize the progress made under Spalletti’s guidance.
Luciano Spalletti, the former Napoli manager, took over as Italy’s head coach nine months ago. During his tenure, he has overseen 14 games, with a record of seven wins, four draws, and three losses. The recent 2-0 defeat against Switzerland in the round of 16 marked a disappointing end to Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign. Despite this, Spalletti’s contract runs until September 2026, with the goal of leading the team to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Following the defeat to Switzerland, Spalletti acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and his own responsibility in the outcome. He expressed his determination to address the issues and improve the squad. Spalletti admitted that there is room for improvement and restructuring within the team. His focus is on making the squad younger and rebuilding it from the ground up to ensure a stronger future for Italian football.
Italy’s journey in Euro 2024 was marred by inconsistency and struggles. The team’s qualification for the knockout stages came down to a last-minute equalizer against Croatia in the group stage. While they managed to defeat Albania and put up a fight against Spain, Italy faced deficits in each of their four matches at the tournament. The lackluster performances raised concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the international level.
While Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign ended on a disappointing note, the decision to retain Luciano Spalletti as head coach signifies a commitment to the ongoing project and belief in his ability to lead the team forward. Spalletti’s reflection on the team’s shortcomings and his plans for rejuvenation indicate a proactive approach to addressing the team’s challenges. As Italy looks ahead to future competitions, Spalletti’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the team’s trajectory and restoring confidence in Italian football.
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