Trouble Brewing for WM-Quali 2026: Italy's National Team Absence Looms: Ranieri Opting for Retirement over Italian Football Rescue
Retired Italian Football Manager Ranieri
Hop on social media, hit the news feed, or share a quick text - Italy's World Cup participation is hanging by a thread. Following the ousting of national coach Luciano Spalletti, a veteran is supposed to seize the reigns. But Claudio Ranieri isn't biting. The Italian football scene is reeling, and the 73-year-old former AS Roma coach just won't play savior.
Italy's search for a new national coach goes on, a year ahead of the World Cup. Claudio Ranieri, a prime candidate, has turned down the national football federation. The seasoned coach, apparently, wants to stick with a faltering Squadra Azzurra. "I extend my gratitude to the federation president for the nod. But I've chosen to remain alongside AS Roma as a consultant", Ranieri told Italian news agency ANSA.
Monday evening, in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova, Italy managed a narrow 2:0 (1:0) win. Rumors about Ranieri stepping in as Spalletti's successor had been swirling. Roma owner Dan Friedkin extended the offer, but Ranieri respectfully declined. He had briefly returned as coach of his old club AS Roma last season, even though he was already retired. He will now function as a consultant for the Roman stronghold.
Coach from the Middle East?
These days, Stefano Pioli, the former AC Milan champion coach, seems to be the frontrunner for the position of Commissario Tecnico. The 59-year-old is currently at Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo's current club. Italy's legendary coach, Carlo Ancelotti (formerly Real Madrid), has a new gig in Brazil. The reigning world champion is pinning its hopes on Ancelotti to restore its former glory.
World Cup 2026 Qualification on the Line: Norway Debacle Costs Italian National Coach His Job
Monday evening in Reggio Emilia, Italy hosted the 154th-ranked Moldovan team. Despite being clearly superior, Italy showed some shaky vulnerability on counters. Ion Nicolaescu came close to scoring, but narrowly missed the Italian goal. Naples' Giacomo Raspadori saved the Squadra Azzurra just before the interval. Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus Turin sealed the deal with the 2:0 goal shortly after the restart.
With that, Italy remains in the running for the World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year. However, Norway leads the group with a substantial nine-point advantage. Only the group winner gets an automatic ticket, and the second-place finisher must fight for it in the playoffs.
Sources: ntv.de, ara/dpa/sid
Enrichment Data:- After Claudio Ranieri's refusal, Gennaro Gattuso has emerged as the current top candidate to be the new national coach of Italy's football team[1][4][5].- Rafael Benitez is also being considered as a potential candidate[2], but nothing has been confirmed yet.- Gattuso, an ex- Itália international, is gaining traction despite not being the federation's first choice[5].
Sports enthusiasts in the community express concern as Gennaro Gattuso, an ex-Italian international, emerges as the top candidate for the vacant position of Italy's national coach, following Claudio Ranieri's rejection. Meanwhile, employment policy discussions continue as both Gattuso and Rafael Benitez are being considered for the role.
