Claudio Ranieri Buys Peace, Italy's World Cup Dream in Jeopardy: A Coach Crisis!
Former Italian Football Coach Ranieri Steps Down from Managerial Duties
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The gloom enshrouding Italian football is palpable as their World Cup dreams hang by a thread. With the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, a savior is essential, but veteran coach Claudio Ranieri isn't joining the fray.
In a surprising twist, Italy must continue the search for a new coach a year before the World Cup. Top pick Ranieri has spurned the football federation, eschewing the national squad's crisis. The 73-year-old, once coach of AS Roma, prefers to support the unsteady Squadra Azzurra as a consultant. "The federation president has honored me. But, I've opted to stand by AS Roma as a consultant, fulfilling this task," Ranieri stated to the Italian news agency ANSA.
Monday evening witnessed Italy's last game under Spalletti, securing a 2:0 (1:0) win against Moldova in the World Cup qualifier. Over the past few days, Ranieri had been the favored candidate as Spalletti's successor. Roma owner Dan Friedkin bestowed him the offer, but Ranieri declined, choosing instead to work as a consultant for the capital club.
Soccer Spalletti's Swan Song: Italy Barely Escapes Shame vs Moldova in World Cup Qualifier
Another Saudi Export on the Horizon?
Ex-AC Milan champion coach Stefano Pioli is now the frontrunner for the position of Commissario Tecnico. The 59-year-old is currently with Al-Nassr FC, Cristiano Ronaldo's club, in Saudi Arabia. Carlo Ancelotti debuted in Brazil, boasting the record World Cup victory, but he hopes to restore Italy's former glory.
Soccer Bid for 2026 World Cup Qualification Tipped: Italy's Humiliation Agains Moldova Costs Coach His JobIn the home game against world rankings 154th Moldova, Italy dominated Monday evening's play in Reggio Emilia but exhibited fragility during counterattacks. Ion Nicolaescu nearly found the Italian goal in one of the attacks, but he was marginally offside. Naples' Giacomo Raspadori saved the Squadra Azzurra just before half-time. Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus Turin sealed the match with the 2:0 goal shortly after the restart.
With the victory, Italy maintained its hopes for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year. Yet, Norway sits comfortably atop the group with a nine-point advantage. Only the group winner secures a spot in the World Cup, while second place requires playoffs.
Source: ntv.de, ara/dpa/sid
Enrichment Data:- Among the strong candidates to replace Luciano Spalletti, Stefano Pioli and Roberto Mancini are key contenders. Pioli, with his imminent departure from Al-Nassr, is considered a viable option, while Mancini, the former Azzurri head coach, is up for the role despite complications surrounding his return[3].- 2006 World Cup champions like Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Cannavaro, and Gennaro Gattuso are also potential candidates [3]. Nonetheless, Pioli is currently considered the more likely and straightforward choice to take charge of the national team [3].
- In the race to fill the vacant Commissario Tecnico position in Italy, Stefano Pioli, who currently coaches Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, has emerged as a strong contender, hopeful to restore Italy's former football glory.
- With the World Cup and employment policy within the national football community at stake, it appears that community policy may need to embrace the potential employment of Stefano Pioli as the new coach, as he is becoming increasingly likely to lead the Squadra Azzurra in the upcoming qualifiers.
