It won't be Ranieri - but Italy need rebuilding from ruins

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Following an embarrassing loss to Norway on Friday evening during their first World Cup qualifying match, Italy finds itself once again tasked with rebuilding from the ashes.

After failing to qualify for both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the looming prospect of missing a third consecutive World Cup led to the dismissal of coach Luciano Spalletti.

Spalletti had been celebrated as a potential savior when he took over in August 2023 but ultimately bore the consequences of his team's performance, announcing his own departure shortly after the defeat.

Now, after Spalletti oversaw a 2-0 victory against Moldova on Monday, the search for his replacement is underway as Italy works to revive its once-great footballing heritage.

Ranieri steps away from consideration

Could it truly happen that a country such as Italy, which boasts four World Cup titles, might miss out on qualifying for a third successive tournament?

Italians pondered this very question before the last two World Cup qualifying play-offs, which resulted in shocking losses to Sweden and Macedonia.

The 3-0 loss against Norway has greatly jeopardized the Azzurri's chances of topping their group.

Despite securing a victory over Moldova, currently ranked 154th in the FIFA Rankings, Italy now trails Norway, which leads Group I with a nine-point advantage and a markedly better goal difference.

Norway has won all four of their matches and has played two more than Italy. The Azzurri feel they must win their next five matches, improving their goal difference in the process, before facing Norway at home in a crucial match in November.

With only the group winner securing automatic qualification, Italy aims to avoid another playoff scenario.

Who will take the helm? It will not be Claudio Ranieri, the so-called 'Tinkerman', who after accomplishing several miracles throughout his career, was promptly approached by the Italian Football Association.

The 73-year-old has opted to decline the proposal, choosing instead to focus on his role at Roma following a successful stint as interim manager last season. He now holds an executive position at the club, working alongside new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Stefano Pioli, currently with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and previously managing clubs like Lazio and Inter Milan, is the leading candidate to succeed Spalletti.

"Securing a place in the next World Cup is absolutely essential," remarked Marco Nosotti, a journalist from Sky Italia.

"It concerns both financial stakes and national pride. The pinnacle of football unfolds at these tournaments, and it is crucial for our players to experience that level of competition as well."

What went wrong for the 'savior' Spalletti?

Italy's victory over Moldova occurred in an almost surreal setting, as a coach who had already received notice of his dismissal sat on the bench just 48 hours prior to the match.

When Spalletti was appointed nearly two years ago, he was at the height of his career, having just led Napoli to a Scudetto victory, while Italy was in the midst of transitioning from Roberto Mancini, who had led the team to a European title but failed in securing a spot for Qatar 2022.

So where did it all go awry?
'A problem concerning methodology and generations'
Italian football contains structural prejudices, which have been obstructing the growth of the entire movement for several years.


A mere 34-36% of Serie A players are Italian, thus reducing the national team's options; although some are currently playing in foreign countries and evolving into modern players possessing quality and knowledge.


For a number of years, the national youth teams have focused considerably more on the game's tactical and physical elements rather than on individual technique, unlike other countries like Germany, France and Spain.


Nonetheless, at Coverciano, the Azzurri's training facility just outside Florence, things are gradually evolving.


Under the leadership of Maurizio Viscidi, the national youth team coordinator, Italy is attempting to assess results in a different manner and impart a new approach to playing and behaving on the field.


The youth national teams have won European championships at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels in recent years, and they came in second place at the Under-20 World Cup.


However, these very same young players are frequently not given the chance to gain experience playing for their respective first teams, and if they are, the primary emphasis is placed on safety and tactics.


Fabio Capello, the former manager of AC Milan, stated that, "It is a methodological problem in addition to a generational one."


"We instruct our boys to adhere to stringent tactical guidelines, maintain possession, and play with the goalkeeper rather than aiming for skill, quality, and imagination at the youth levels."