It’s a deal: Spalletti to be named Italy’s new head coach

The architect of Napoli’s last year triumph in Serie A – Luciano Spalletti, will be appointed coach of the Italian national team, Sky Sport Italia reports through Gianluca Di Marzio. The former Napoli, Roma and Inter coach has agreed a three-year deal and will take over the Azzurri until 2026.

The president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, personally led the negotiations with the specialist. Spalletti is expected to sign his contract as early as today (August 18) or on Saturday, before giving his first press conference in the new role on Monday.

Italy, who won the European Championship under Roberto Mancini, face crucial qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine in September.

BREAKING: Spalletti is expected to be announced as Italy’s new manager by tomorrow 💥

They’ve decided that Luciano is the ideal manager to replace Mancini 🇮🇹

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Legal consultations on the release clause were positive so both parties decided to proceed 🤝

📰 Di Marzio pic.twitter.com/LRok7SVjAP

— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 18, 2023

Spalletti’s appointment has so far been hampered by the €3m release clause in his Napoli contract. The president of the southerners, Aurelio De Laurentiis, does not want to give up this amount, but negotiations continue and an understanding is expected to be reached literally within hours.