😱 Spalletti and 4️⃣ others: Italy’s sackings over the past 35 years | OneFootball

The dismissal in the Italian National Team is becoming an all too established habit, because in the last 35 years only 5 coaches have been removed from office.

Let's see who was kicked out of the Azzurri bench from 1990 to today. Coaches who have resigned are not included in the list.

Azeglio Vicini - 1991

Azeglio Vicini has been coaching the National Team since 1986, leading the team to the semifinals of Euro 1988 and guiding Italy's "Notti Magiche" to a 3rd place finish in the 1990 World Cup.

His relationship with federal president Antonio Matarrese is not the best, and the failure to qualify for Euro 1992 is decisive for Vicini: 0-0 against the USSR away and dismissal.

Cesare Maldini - 1998

After several years with Arrigo Sacchi, who resigned in 1996, Cesare Maldini takes the Azzurri bench, a technician who spent ten years with the U21 team. His tenure is brief: elimination on penalties in the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup against France.

President Nizzola dismisses him towards the end of July, but Maldini's record still includes three consecutive European U21 titles won.

Roberto Donadoni - 2008

Roberto Donadoni takes Marcello Lippi's place in 2006 after the World Cup win. However, at Euro 2008, the team's limitations become apparent, losing 3-0 in the group stage to the Netherlands and being eliminated by Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals.

After the tournament, the FIGC decides to exercise a clause to terminate the relationship with the coach.

Gian Piero Ventura - 2017

The European Championship with Antonio Conte makes Italy dream, but after he leaves, the helm passes to Gian Piero Ventura in 2016 with the task of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

We all know the outcome: Italy is forced into the playoffs after losing badly to Spain, then comes the defeat in Sweden and the 0-0 draw at San Siro forces us to miss a World Cup after 60 years. The consequence is obvious: dismissal.

Luciano Spalletti - 2025

The most recent one is Spalletti: a European Championship played without identity, the thrashing against Switzerland, a few glimpses against France in the Nations League, and then the 3-0 defeat in Norway.

Spalletti himself announces his dismissal in an emotional press conference, which he abandons when asked: "Do you feel betrayed?"

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 Claudio Villa - 2017 Getty Images