Italy to continue with Luciano Spalletti despite Euro 2024 exit

Luciano Spalletti will retain his position as Italy head coach despite his side's poor performances at Euro 2024, with their campaign ending on Saturday in a 2-0 defeat against Switzerland in the round of 16.

Gabriele Gravina, the head of the Italian FA, confirmed the decision in a news conference on Sunday.

"Spalletti has our full trust and we will move forward with him. It is not thinkable to change head coach and stop this project," he said.

"This is a big disappointment. We are all responsible and we won't abandon the project started with Spalletti."

The former Napoli manager, who clinched the Serie A title in 2023, has only been at the helm of the national side for nine months. In 14 matches, he has secured seven wins, four draws, and three losses. Two of those defeats occurred at this year's European Championship.

In August, he signed a three-year contract extending until September 2026, with the goal of leading this team to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"I have not been the best Spalletti possible. Yesterday we made an unacceptable step backwards," Spalletti said.

"I think I know what is needed to fix things. I want to make the squad younger and recreating it starting from the bottom."

Italy only advanced to the knockout stages following a miraculous last-minute equaliser from Zaccagni in a 1-1 draw against Croatia in their third group-stage match.

They secured a 2-1 victory over Albania in their opening game, before being dominated by Spain despite a narrow 1-0 defeat. In each of their four matches at the Euros, they fell behind.

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