Italy’s Reggio Neruemilia – June 9: Head coach of Italy’s Luciano Sparetti is paying attention during Italian Reggio Neruemilia’s Sitta del Tricoloa in Moldova’s FIFA 2026 qualifying round at Italy’s Mapay Stadium on June 9, 2025. (Photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Former Italian coach Luciano Spalletti needs “time to accept the pain” of his firing, but Gennaro Gattuso praises him for “doing something different tactically.”
The tactician was hired a few weeks after securing a Scudetto in Naples when Roberto Mancini suddenly resigned in September 2023.
He took Nazioner to Euro 2024, losing 3-0 in Norway and was fired in June 2025 after launching the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Sparetti has not surpassed Italian fire yet
“At this point, my experience in Italy is still pounding my mind,” Sparetti said at Arezzo’s literary festival.
“I didn’t want to forget about it. We have to accept the experience and everything it brings us. It wasn’t the way I wanted it to, but I gave it all. Now I need a little time to accept the pain.
Spalletti was informed of his firing after losing to Norway, but a qualifying round against Moldova took place just days before his second World Cup qualifier.
“If I hadn’t wanted to continue, I would have resigned, but I was fired,” he explained.
“I don’t know if that was done differently. Many of the people who work with Najioneer can stand by me and evaluate my actions.”
In a moment of tension around the Italian team, Francesco Aservi said he had previously said he was old when Spalletti tried to recall the 37-year-old interdefender in only one match in Norway.
“There were others with me so you can ask if I told the truth,” the coach replied.
“I did things the right way. I agreed with the club and made a call, and then I called over the phone, realising how well I did that season in the Serie A and the Champions League.
Currently, Gatuso is at the helm of the Italian team and oversees two intense battles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“Gatuso did very well, especially in his second match. He had to do something different tactically and he was very different. Congratulations on him as it proved to be the right decision by closing two strikers.”
Does Sparetti think Italy will qualify for the World Cup this time?
“Italia has to go to the World Cup. Even if I remained, we lost a few games, it’s hard to deal with some of those outcomes. I’m pleased that players felt freed themselves.
There have been reports that Spalletti was offered work in the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig, but we decided to take the time.
“I’ve been lucky in my career in the aspects I was able to work with. I’m sure something could happen, but I don’t dig into or force development. It all has to be very natural,” the coach concluded.
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