Luciano Spalletti, former boss of Victor Osimhen at Napoli, is one of the strong contenders to be named as the next Italy manager.
If the 64-year-old takes the job, he will be the replacement of former Inter Milan, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini.
Mancini’s decision to quit the national team shocked the federation and some supporters everywhere. He released a statement on his official Instagram account explaining his decision.
BREAKING: Roberto Mancini has left Italian national team with immediate effect. 🚨🔵🇮🇹
Mancini and Italian Federation agreed to part ways, 10 months before Euro 2024. pic.twitter.com/fz2PgFeaZr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2023
“Resigning as CT of the Nazionale was a personal decision of mine,” Mancini wrote on his official Instagram account.
“I would like to thank Gabriele Gravina for the confidence he showed in me, as well as all members of the FIGC.
“I salute and thank all of my players as well as the fans, who have stood by me over the last five years. I will always hold the extraordinary victory at EURO 2020 close to my heart. It has been an honour.”
The country also released a statement after his resignation , showing their gratitude for his services.
“The Italian Football Federation announces that it has accepted the resignation of Roberto Mancini as coach of the Italian national team, received late yesterday afternoon.
“A significant page in the history of the Azzurri, which began in May 2018 and ended with the 2023 Nations League Finals, comes to an end,” the Italian soccer federation said in the statement.
“In between, the victory at Euro 2020, a triumph conquered by a group in which all the individuals were able to become a team.”
Italy begin search for new manager, Spalletti likely to be named new coach
With his exit, the national team will switch gears and are now looking to appoint Spalletti as coach.
The federation already hinted at there being an appointment in the next days as they have to consider the qualification rounds for EURO 2024 which will take place during the next international break and beyond.
Reports have now claimed that it is only a matter of days before Spalletti is named as the new Italy manager.
Luciano Spalletti will be Italy's NEW manager.
It will be announced on August 16 according to @AAlciato 🇮🇹💙 pic.twitter.com/NyNaeYnB6B
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 14, 2023
Is Spalletti the right man for the Italy job?
Spalletti, who is well familiar with Victor Osimhen from his days at Napoli, has already spoke about how interested he is in the Azzurri job.
Back in June, when he was asked about his future, he said: “Coaching a national team now would be very stimulating.
“From a professional point of view, it allows you to take a break every now and then, to go out and come back to work, to do the perfect speeches and wonderful training sessions. It would definitely be a nice solution.”
The Italian has managed Venezia, Udinese, Inter Milan, Zenit Saint Petersburg, his AS Roma side was famous for the revolutionary style of play and his most recent endeavor at club level was time with Napoli where he managed Victor Osimhen.
His management skill and the talent at the club made for some wonderful football with Osimhen leading the line.
They blew away all opposition in Série A and won their first Scudetto in 33 years in grand style.
Victor Osimhen scored 26 goals in the league and was voted top scorer. Statistically, it is his best individual season till date.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 months ago
