Luciano Spalletti’s time as Italy boss ended with a 2–0 win over Moldova, but the outgoing coach made no attempt to sugarcoat his tenure.
Sacked in the aftermath of a damaging 3–0 loss to Norway just days earlier, Spalletti admitted he failed to improve the national team and leaves it in no better shape than he found it.
Italy were already on the back foot in World Cup qualifying after the Oslo humiliation, and although goals in each half secured a routine win over Moldova in Empoli, the performance remained unconvincing.
Spalletti, who had announced his departure before the game, accepted full responsibility for Italy’s stagnation.
“I did badly,” he said in his final press conference. “I didn’t get the best out of these players and I have to take note of that. I didn’t leave behind a great national team.”
The 65-year-old also admitted that while he did not resign, he agreed with the decision to dismiss him, saying, “It is right that I go home. I tried some things, made mistakes, and in some cases maybe made things worse.”
Italy have yet to name a successor, though Claudio Ranieri is reportedly the front-runner. Spalletti’s parting words to his replacement were simple: “I wish them the best. I worked hard, but it wasn’t enough.”
