Luciano Spalletti has made a candid confession after his sudden dismissal as Italy's manager. The outgoing coach admitted he's not leaving the national team in great shape for whoever takes his place next.
Spalletti oversaw his final match on Monday - a lackluster 2-0 win against Moldova. This came just days after Italy suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Norway in their World Cup qualifying opener, which ultimately cost him his job.
"I don't give back to those who come after me a great national team," Spalletti confessed during his final press conference. "I tried, I made mistakes, and I even tried some experiments."
Taking Responsibility for Failure
The 65-year-old coach showed remarkable honesty about his performance. He acknowledged that despite his efforts, he couldn't get the best out of Italy's players during his short tenure.
"I did badly and in some ways it is right that I go home," Spalletti admitted. "But I didn't resign, because I think I can do better."
His dismissal comes after less than two years in charge. During this time, Italy also disappointed at Euro 2024, failing to make a significant impact in a tournament where they were defending champions.
For betting enthusiasts, Italy's current form raises serious questions. The Azzurri now look like risky prospects in World Cup qualifying markets after their poor start in a group they were expected to dominate.
What's Next for Italy?
The Italian Football Federation hasn't officially named Spalletti's replacement yet. Reports suggest Claudio Ranieri is the leading candidate to take over the struggling squad.
When asked if he had advice for his successor, Spalletti was refreshingly honest. "I tried to shake things up when I arrived but then maybe it was worse from what we saw," he reflected.
The timing couldn't be worse for Italy. Their World Cup qualifying campaign is already in trouble after just one match. The new manager will need to turn things around quickly to avoid missing another World Cup after their famous absence from the 2022 tournament.
Italy's upcoming qualifiers now take on massive importance. Bookmakers have already adjusted their odds, with Italy's chances of qualifying automatically taking a significant hit after the Norway defeat.
For punters looking at long-term bets, Italy represents an interesting proposition. Their talent pool suggests they should recover, but these early struggles might create value in backing them to qualify once a new manager settles in.
Spalletti's final words showed his class despite the difficult circumstances. "I wish all the best to the federation and to the new coach who will arrive," he said, bringing an end to a brief but turbulent chapter in Italian football.
