Darwin Nunez, Gennaro Gattuso, and Kevin De Bruyne (Photo by Alex Livesey, Stuart Franklin, Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Latest on crazy Italy manager job saga
With the absurd affair of ex-Italy coach Luciano Spalletti now behind us, we can finally look ahead. Italy embarrassed themselves on the field against Norway, but even more so in terms of public image, due to the blunders of FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
In a matter of hours, he first defended the head coach and then sent him alone to a press conference to announce he had been relieved of his duties. What followed were two absurdities: despite the dismissal, Spalletti led the Azzurri against Moldova and, even worse, fired the coach without having a replacement ready.
He managed to collect a string of rejections, treating the FIGC as if it were a third-rate organisation.
Claudio Ranieri, after initially being open to the role, declined the offer after a night of thought, not due to any obstruction from the Friedkin family. Coaching the national team would have been the crowning achievement of a brilliant career, but the uncertainties outweigh the prestige. Besides, managing two high-level roles simultaneously, with the attention that Roma deserve, would have been nearly impossible.
Now we turn the page with Gattuso, after several phone conversations with Gianluigi Buffon (Italy’s Delegation Chief) in recent days. A meeting with FIGC President Gravina is scheduled for today to finalise the remaining details and prepare for the national team’s new era. The Azzurri must rally around him: ‘Italy has called.’
We’re still waiting on Pioli, whom Gravina also approached. He has a verbal agreement with Fiorentina and is working to secure his release from Al-Nassr.
Kevin De Bruyne and other Napoli transfer news
With that, we can finally shift our focus to the transfer market, especially now that all the benches have been filled.
Napoli have reached an agreement with Empoli for Luca Marianucci, a talented…
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