Spalletti gives Ranieri backing for Italy head coach job: ‘I would be the first to cheer’ | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti says he would be the ‘first one to cheer’ if Claudio Ranieri were appointed head coach of the Italy national team on the day of his final match in charge of the Azzurri.

Spalletti will lead Italy into Monday night’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova and will then leave his position as CT, as he revealed in his pre-match press conference on Sunday.

Spalletti will step away after just shy of two years in the role, with Ranieri among the frontrunners to come in and replace him.

Spalletti supports Ranieri candidacy for Italy job

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Italy Luciano Spalletti speaks with the media during Italy press conference at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 07, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Speaking to Rai on Monday, Spalletti claimed that he would be the ‘first one to cheer for him’ if Ranieri were appointed the new CT.

“Ranieri is a professional who has travelled the world. He would know how to press the right buttons straight away. The federation knows how to choose. If it is him, I would be the first one to cheer for him. I’m not like the others, don’t worry,” Spalletti said (via Corriere dello Sport).

The 73-year-old has just finished his commitments as head coach of Roma, having replaced Ivan Juric on a short-term contract in November, and is now serving as a director and senior advisor to the Giallorossi ownership.

epa12115307 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri greets supporters as he is honored after the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

While reports on Sunday claimed that Ranieri was keen to continue in his role with Roma, updates on Monday claim that the FIGC are pushing to convince him to join the national team set-up.

Spalletti, meanwhile, claims that he will be supporting the national team, whoever comes in to replace him as head coach.

He also admits that he is unsure whether he will make an immediate return to management.

“I don’t know,” Spalletti said when asked if he has any immediate plans to step back into the dugout after his Italy tenure comes to an end.

“I’ll definitely be rooting for my successor. I hope the successor will be able to find the solution to get to the World Cup.

“I would have stayed because I think I would have got to the World Cup. I believe this team can get there. If they don’t get first place, they still have the play-offs.”