The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has appointed Luciano Spalletti as the new national team coach, replacing Roberto Mancini who stepped down after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Spalletti, 64, is a highly experienced coach who has won trophies in Italy, Russia, and England. He led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2022-23, and he also won the UEFA Cup with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2008.
However, Spalletti’s appointment could spell legal trouble for the FIGC. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is a clause in his Napoli contract that states that his new employers must pay a €3 million fee to the club if he is employed before the summer of 2024. The fee decreases by €250,000 per month after that.
The FIGC is reportedly willing to pay the compensation to Napoli, but it is not clear whether the club will accept. If Napoli does not accept the compensation, the FIGC could face legal action.
Spalletti will have a tough task ahead of him as Italy coach. The Azzurri have not qualified for a World Cup since 2018, and they will need to rebuild their team if they want to be competitive in Qatar next year.
Spalletti is a proven winner, and he will be hoping to lead Italy back to the top of the world game. However, he will need to get his team playing together quickly if they are to have any chance of success in Qatar.
In a statement, the FIGC said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as the new Italy national team coach. Spalletti is a highly experienced and successful coach, and we believe he is the right person to lead us back to the top of the world game.”
Spalletti said: “I am honored to be the new Italy national team coach. It is a great responsibility, but I am confident that I can lead this team to success.”
