FIGC President Gabriele Gravina aimed a sideswipe at Roberto Mancini by praising Luciano Spalletti after the EURO 2024 qualification. ‘Today Italy have a great coach and a great man in charge. He does not wear masks.’
The Azzurri had won the EURO 2020 title under Mancini, but he suddenly resigned in August to take over the Saudi Arabia job, leaving his team in the middle of a tough qualifying campaign.
Spalletti was drafted in just days before two crunch games against North Macedonia and Ukraine, finally securing their place in the tournament last night.
“Today Italy have a great coach and a great man in charge, so I am satisfied above all for our fans,” said Gravina at the DLA Piper Sport Forum in Milan.
“We had made a promise that they would be in the Euros and we did it without going through the play-offs, which as we saw can be a lottery.”
Gravina was asked how Scudetto-winner Spalletti differs from predecessor Mancini, and veiled his reply in a thin veneer of diplomacy.
“I would not like to make comparisons with Mancini. We must always be grateful to him for the work he did for Italian football, including an unbeaten world record and winning the Euros. Of course, there is also the blemish of not qualifying for the World Cup.”
The praise for Spalletti also highlighted how the Federation chief feels about Mancini and the way he left the Nazionale in the lurch.
“Spalletti has no secrets, wears no masks, he is very open and direct. He spoke for a long time to the lads and told them clearly that his desire is to start a new project that is absolutely innovative.
“He said the good times start now, as there are two friendlies in March and another two before the Euros. The Nazionale does not have many windows at its disposal to come together, but Spalletti will keep everyone in contact by personally visiting all the club training grounds. That is a wonderful example to set.”
That is not all, as Spalletti also got all the players signed up to an app that allows them to view tactical instructions, videos and lectures even from a distance.