Luciano Spalletti, crowned Italian champion last season with Naples, has been appointed as the new coach of the Nazionale, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Friday evening.
Aged 64, and without a job since his decision to leave Naples shortly after the coronation, he succeeds Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to the European title in 2021 but then failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. . Mancini, in charge since May 2018, resigned to everyone’s surprise last Sunday, citing “a personal decision”. His name has since been cited for the post of coach of Saudi Arabia.
Spalletti will take up his duties on September 1, before the next meetings of the national team, against North Macedonia then Ukraine as part of the Euro-2024 qualifiers in Germany, said the Italian Federation in a statement. communicated.
Time is running out for the new “technical commissioner” of the selection, who lost against England in their first match of the Euro-2024 qualifiers, and only occupies third place in group C after two matches.
“His enthusiasm and expertise will be fundamental for the challenges that await Italy in the months to come,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
“The national team needed a great coach and I am very happy that he accepted the technical direction of the Azzurri,” he also noted.
