Italy is looking for a new coach after Luciano Spalletti was fired.
Spalletti revealed that his contract was terminated at a press conference on Sunday before Monday’s World Cup qualifier with Moldova.
The decision comes after a horrible start for Azzurri’s qualifying match, which was hammered 3-0 on Friday by Norway, leaving them nine points less than the leader of the Group I, who played two more games.
Spalletti will be responsible for Moldova’s match, but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) focuses on finding a successor who can help them avoid the humiliation of missing out on their third consecutive World Cup. Prior to 2018, Italy has not been eligible since the 1958 Championship.
With Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Antonio Conte (Napoli) and Massimiliano Allegri (AC Milan), we watched the favorites take on this challenge, as well as some potential candidates from outside.
Luciano Spalletti’s press conference.#azzurri #vivoazzurro pic.twitter.com/zkg9vm0ahd
– Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(@azzurri_en) June 8, 2025
Favorite
Stefano Pioli
Experienced former AC Milan, Inter Milan and Fiorentina boss signed with Saudi professional league team Al-Nassr.
However, as Cristiano Ronaldo missed the AFC Champions League elite qualification after the uncertainty of the future of al-nassr, Pioli will certainly be moved back to lead his country to the World Cup.
Since being the coach of Milan winning Scadeto, his previous relationship with Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and main midfielder Sandro Tonali could help him as a candidate.
Claudio Ranieri
Ranieri ceded the Rome stage to Gian Piero Gasperini on Friday, ending his post as interim coach to become the club’s manager and consultant. However, it is now possible that he has expanded his coaching career spanning nearly forty years by taking charge of the national team for the first time.
Ranieri’s previous entry into international football was a disaster as he had only played four games with the Greek coach in 2014. He failed to win a game and was rejected after he was qualified for the 2016 European Cup.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s first day in Trigoria 📸#asroma pic.twitter.com/kk4vpgkurg
– as Roman English (@asromaen) June 6, 2025
However, the 73-year-old stock is high in the spell against Rome, he finished fifth in the Serie A A match in 2024-25, while the Champions League qualification is certain to score.
Ranieri has been popular with players throughout her career and can help provide an emotional lift in Italy.
He bid farewell to the emotions after his last home game as the owner of Rome, but it seems that Ranieri’s last cheer may be Azzurri’s leader.
outsider
Daniele de Rossi
Rome and Italian legend De Rossi have not had a coach since leaving Giallorossi last September, but he can be aware of how it would feel to win the World Cup in 2006 as a person who knows how it would feel to win the World Cup with Italy.
De Rossi became Ostiamare’s owner and chairman in January, but these responsibilities could not prevent him from seizing the opportunity to lead the national team.
Gennaro Gattuso
Gattuso, another member who won the World Cup 19 years ago, has enjoyed a career in nomadic coaching, working in Switzerland, Greece, France, Spain and Croatia as well as Italy.
So far, the only silverware he had to show while on canoe is the Italian Italy he won against Naples in 2020.
He left Hajduk in June to split, giving them a third place, and they missed the Croatian championship and scored only two points.
Like De Rossi, there is a question of whether Gattuso has the lineage that led his country, and temperament can also be regarded as a concern.
Roberto Mancini
The power on the FIGC can be forgiven for the reward of the man who guided them to success for the last time.
But they are also wise to remember that Mancini failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup football game, suffered a notorious defeat in the playoffs, and his stock has not risen since resigning in 2023.
Mancini, a short and unsuccessful spell for Saudi Arabian boss, recently participated in football at any level and is an advisor to Sampdoria who have been relegated to Serie B this season. While Italy may be eager for the glorious Mancini delivered at Wembley in 2021, they may be better off for the new era than trying to retake the past.
Roberto de Zerbi
Although Italy’s coach Italy would otherwise not be able to get the top of the FIGC roster, there is reason to think that De Zerbi can get precious from Marseille.
De Zerbi followed up with his impressive spells for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League, leading Marseille to second place in Ligue 1. Despite their good abandonment to champion Paris Saint-Germain, the return to the Champions League represents a successful season in Marseille.
Mr. Gracie, thank you coach! 🇮🇹
⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/9eb2pypa2e
– Olympic de Marseille🇬🇧🇬🇬🇧 (@OM_English) May 18, 2025
However, for De Zerbi, this is not the first season of Provence. It was reported that De Zerbi’s player rebelled in April after he was said to have refused to train after losing 3-1 to Reims. It was subsequently rejected by De Zerbi and forward Neal Maupay at a press conference.
Marseille has lost only one of its last seven games after losing Rems, and De Zerbi reportedly turned down a method from Tottenham to replace Ange Postecoglou. This shows that De Zerbi is happy at the stadium racing stadium, but the challenge of turning to Italy and qualifying for the World Cup may be more attractive than the seemingly futile task of trying to interrupt PSG’s dominance in France.
Appointing de Zerbi seems unlikely, but cannot be ruled out.
