Former Italian national team coach Spalletti said he needed "time to accept the pain of being fired", but praised Gattuso for "making a different attempt" tactical.
The tactical master was appointed head coach of the Italian national team shortly after Roberto Mancini suddenly resigned in September 2023, when he had just led Naples to win the Serie A title. Spaletti led Italy to the 2024 European Cup and was fired in June 2025 for Norway's 0-3 defeat in the first World Cup qualifiers. "Now, my experience in Italy still makes it hard for me to let go," Spaletti said of whether it was ready for the next job at a literary festival in Arezzo. "I didn't try to forget it, we had to accept all the experience and what it brought us. Things didn't go as I wanted, but I did go all out. Now I need a little time to accept this pain and then I'll start over."
"If I don't want to continue coaching, I'll quit, but I'm fired, and I don't know if there can be a different way of dealing with this matter. Many people who work with the national team support me."
In some tense moments inside the Italian national team, Francesco Archelbi once said that when Spaletti tried to recall the 37-year-old Inter defender to Norway, he felt he was "used".
Previously, Spaletti said Archerby was too old: "There were other people around me at that time, and you can ask them if what I said was the truth. I did things the right way, recruited players after consultation with the club. Then on the phone, I almost apologized to him and recognized his performance in Serie A and the Champions League that season. I naturally asked him if he was completely available, and I don't understand what was wrong with this."
At present, Gattuso has taken over the Italian national team and won two tough wins in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
"Gattuso did a very good job, especially in the second game, he had to make some tactical changes, and his choice was very wise. Having the two forwards worked closely together proved to be the right decision, so he deserves congratulations."
Can Italy advance to the World Cup this time? "Italy has to go to the World Cup. Even if I am still the head coach, I think so. We lost some games and those results became difficult to deal with. I am glad to see the players feel relieved and I heard them on different occasions. My goal is to let them all play freely and win the game."
There are reports that Spaletti received job invitations from the Saudi Pro and Turkish Premier League, but he decided to take a break for a while.
"I have been lucky enough to work with some great teams throughout my career. I believe there will be new opportunities, but I will not deliberately look for or force any progress. Everything should happen naturally."
source:7n cn