Former coach Fabio Capello is not optimistic about Italy’s future, feels Luciano Spalletti was ‘arrogant’ at EURO 2024 and admits the national team has a ‘problem’ without Milan and Juventus players.
Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello commented on Italy’s EURO 2024 exit with harsh words. First on Sky Sport Italia and then in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I was a little ashamed, like when I returned from the 1974 World Cup as a footballer,” said the ex-Milan, Roma and Juventus coach.
Spalletti admitted on Sunday, the day after Italy’s elimination that being a club coach is not like being a national team coach.
“Those are two different jobs,” agreed Capello, who also took charge of England and Russia during his coaching career.
“It’s not like a club coach, it’s more like a recruiter. The CT must decide based on what he sees in the different leagues. He can have his ideas, but he must reflect on how the different elements are deployed in his team and, sometimes, adapt. The reason is simple. You have no time to work daily. Everyone knows what to do at their clubs, and you ask footballers to change only if you are in emergency situations.”
Capello slams arrogant Spalletti and admits Italy problem for Juventus and Milan
Spalletti had used a three-man defence in pre-Euro friendlies and called up several defenders, but started with a four-man defence in three games from four.
“From what I saw, I think it caused confusion, especially among the players,” said Capello.
“Jorginho and Fagioli were the playmakers, but none of them is Lobotka. They have different skill sets. Xhaka did what he wanted. But I’d use another word for Spalletti.”
Which one?
“Arrogance,” replied Capello.
“Against Spain, I thought Spalletti acted as a club coach. He sent the team to the pitch, saying, ‘This is us. Let’s see if we are better than them.’ He chose a four-man defence against the best wingers in the Euros, and we saw who was better.”
Nevertheless, Switzerland are not as strong as Spain…
“But they have a great organisation in the middle,” argued Capello.
“They have Sommer in goal. Akanji in defence, the extraordinary Xhaka in central midfield and the generous Embolo in attack. More than anything, Switzerland looked like a team against us. They were all ready to sacrifice, defending with ten men and attacking with at least six.”
Who has more responsibility? Spalletti or the players?
“It’s a good question. Of course, Spalletti has great responsibility, but the footballers must feel the weight of the shirt. I had never seen Italy play like this. And let me add something I didn’t like. Everything was too sensationalised: words, training sessions, events…”
Does he refer to the five Azzurri legends invited to Coverciano before the Euros?
“We’ve seen a little bit of everything. I prefer the culture of low profile and hard work.”
Capello feels there is another problem with the national team.
“When there isn’t a Milan player in the team and not even a Juve player in the starting XI, then an alarm bell must ring. If these clubs don’t have valuable players for the national team, we have a problem,” he noted.
Lastly, Capello refused to comment on Spalletti’s decision not to resign but sent a warning at the same time.
“I won’t judge his decision, but I am not optimistic about the future. I suspect that Luciano is an excellent club coach, but he must improve as a CT. As I said at the beginning, these are two different jobs.”
Capello felt ashamed after returning home at 1974. Because he was a great footballer that time. But Spalletti? He never been a good footballer. So how can he become a good coach for a national team? He achieved more than he deserved. That’s why he is shameless and arrogant. Italy need better coach than him to do well in 2026 world cup.
Well said Don Fabio!
I wish they get De Zebri, Ancelotti or even Calzona. Italy have so many great coaches. Spalletti was indeed arrogant. He tried to dominate Spain and failed miserably. Since then, he abandoned his playstyle.
But capello failed with England and Russia
For me, I felt like Spalletti acted like a man let off a leash in a manner which I’ve never seen before. He consistently radiated negativity on the touchline, and genuinely always looked out of his depth. And the way he raun off celebrating an EQUALISER was even more pathetic.
I think capello said it all,where’s locatelli,politano etc. Chiesa was the worst of all the attackers we have in this tournament
If a player scores a goal for you and save’s you from defeat and probably the sack,why would you drop him in the next game ? Mind blowing 🙂
He picked players that failed in two World Cup qualification, why ?
Get rid of the weeds and start growing some roses 🌹 ahaha 🤣
Arrogance is the perfect word. Spalletti has an intricate style that demands practice and takes time to gel. I doubt he will ever have enough time with the players in a national team setting to get his game integrated. He was a poor choice for the Azzurri. We’re seeing the results of this – the worst performance by the national team I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing.
I live in Canada,i’ m 75 ,and i probably will be long dead before Italy wins again!! As an immigrant i felt really bad at the way we played this Euro,that’ s why we never get consideration from other Countries! We are always the underdogs
Ma da quale pulpito Capello parla su come si allena una nazionale? Con l’Inghilterra è stato eliminato agli ottavi al fallimentare mondiale del 2010 e poi si è dimesso prima di Euro 2012 anche per le polemiche sul suo sito “Capello Index” (gli inglesi non lo sopportavano più). Con la Russia eliminato subito ai gironi al mondiale 2014 e quindi già quasi eliminato per gli europei 2016. Alla fine gli hanno dato metà di quello che dovevano pur di toglierselo dai piedi. Dar fiato alle trombe a vanvera solo perchè hai un microfono davanti è un grave segnale di demenza senile.