Italian National Team in Peril: Claudio Ranieri Declines World Cup Qualifier 2026 Rescue Mission
Retired Italian football manager Ranieri.
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Italy's World Cup dream hanging by a thread, the embarrassment of Italian football looming large. After the abrupt exit of national coach Luciano Spalletti, a seasoned veteran was anticipated to take charge. But Claudio Ranieri balks at the crisis.
Italy continues its search for a new national coach a year before the World Cup. Leading contender Claudio Ranieri, a Former AS Roma coach, rejects the football federation's proposition. The 73-year-old, who declined the offer, expressed his intentions to remain as a consultant for AS Roma. "I am grateful to the federation president for the honor. However, I have opted to stand by AS Roma in this role," Ranieri told Italian news agency ANSA[5].
Under Spalletti's guidance, Italy managed a 2:0 (1:0) victory against Moldova in the World Cup qualifier on Monday evening. Ranieri, tipped as Spalletti's potential successor in recent speculations, has been ruled out following his rejection[1][3]. Roma owner Dan Friedkin granted him the opportunity to accept the offer, yet he declined[2]. He had briefly taken the reins as coach of his former club AS Roma last season, despite his retirement status. He will now work as a consultant for the capital club.
Could the Coach Be From Saudi Arabia?
The frontrunner for the position of Commissario Tecnico is now Stefano Pioli, the renowned AC Milan champion coach who currently plays for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia[1][3][5]. However, Carlo Ancelotti, another prominent candidate, has a new contract in Brazil and aims to restore Italy's former glory[3].
World Cup Qualifier in Danger: Italy's Disappointing Performance Against Moldova
The home match against world rankings 154th Moldova on Monday evening demonstrated Italy's superiority, yet their vulnerability to counterattacks was glaring[5]. Ion Nicolaescu almost scored for Moldova, but was marginally offside. Neapolitan Giacomo Raspadori saved the Squadra Azzurra just before halftime. Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus Turin sealed the match with the 2:0 goal shortly after the break.
With this victory, Italy maintains its chances for the World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year. Nevertheless, Norway leads the group by a substantial nine-point lead. Only the group winner is guaranteed a World Cup ticket; the second-placed team must compete in the playoffs[5].
Source: ntv.de, ara/dpa/sid
[1] https://www.espn.com/football/italy/story/4803230/gattuso-has-meeting-with-figc-over-italy-job[2] https://www.goal.com/en/news/ex-roma-boss-ranieri-turns-down-italy-coaching-job/blt514a20689e2f191b[3] https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58984098[4] https://www.goal.com/en/news/juventus-to-officially-fire-massimiliano-allegri-in-the-next-48-hours/blt2a50c3570a827b5b[5] https://www.transfermarkt.us/italien/team/startseite/verein/241
In the midst of Italy's World Cup quest, a potential solution for their national coach predicament seems to be dwindling. With Claudio Ranieri, a football expert known for coaching in various clubs including AS Roma, declining the employment offer, speculations about a coach from Saudi Arabia, such as Stefano Pioli, have emerged. Pioli, a renowned coach who currently plays for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr FC, is reportedly a leading contender for the role of Commissario Tecnico, the Italian term for national coach. The community and employment policies would need to be adjusted to accommodate this potential change in coaching staff for the Italian National Team.
