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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.
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