One sinister doubt emerges about Spalletti’s ability as Italy coach

Luciano Spalletti admitted after Italy’s EURO 2024 press conference that the difference between a club coach and a national team coach is substantial and football pundits start to think that he’s not the right man for the job.

Italy were painfully eliminated from the EURO 2024 Round of 16 on Round after a shameful performance against Switzerland.

Not only did the Azzurri lose 2-0, but they also produced just one shot on target.

Coach Spalletti and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina refused to resign and tried to explain what went wrong during a press conference after the Switzerland game.

One thing stood out among all Spalletti said and it’s the difference between being a club coach and covering the same role for a national team.

“The difference between a coach and a national team manager are the options,” said the CT.

“I could say something to a player to get a reaction one day, then I might compliment him the nect, and then let him play. You can’t do that here, you don’t have the same possibility of ‘playing’ with the players psychologically. I have to put on a suit these days as well, and it fits me very well.”

Italy were not among the favourites to win the Euros, but even being eliminated by Switzerland was frankly unexpected. However, this site predicts the outcome of every EURO 2024 game and more and more tipsters looked to Switzerland after the Azzurri’s lucky qualification to the Round of 16 thanks to a late Mattia Zaccagni goal against Croatia.

Italy players and Spalletti have already returned home and fans and pundits have just one question in mind: Is Spalletti the right man for the job?

The Certaldo-born tactician made history at Napoli in 2022-23 with a stunning and sharp playing style and by winning a Serie A title that the Partenopei had waited for 33 years.

However, more and more people are wondering whether the 65-year-old can achieve the same results in charge of a national team where he can’t see players and train them every day.

“I am not optimistic about the future,” Capello recently told Gazzetta.

“I suspect that Luciano is an excellent club coach, but he must improve as a CT. These are two different jobs.”

Gazzetta’s deputy editor, Stefano Agresti, said exactly the same thing and questioned both Spalletti and Gravina’s ability to turn things around.

“The truth is that we are worried after hearing the protagonists’ voices. This Italy side risk not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. A breakthrough is needed, but can it come from the same men who made this mess?”