Mancini refuses to answer Spalletti: ‘More important things’ | OneFootball

Former Italy coach Roberto Mancini refuses to hit back at Luciano Spalletti after the Azzurri CT joked that his predecessor had been hacked: ‘There must be more important things, right?’

Ex-Italy coach Mancini didn’t reply to Spalletti after the Azzurri boss said his predecessor had been hacked.

Mancini liked an Instagram post from Francesco Acerbi on Sunday, when the Inter defender explained why he refused to play for the Italy national team, as he did not feel part of Spalletti’s project.

“Either someone stole his phone or is going around putting likes on things to make him look bad,” Spalletti said on Thursday, but Mancio refused to reply.

Mancini refuses to hit back at Italy coach Spalletti

epa11984179 Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany, 23 March 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

“I mean, there must be more important things, right?” the ex-Azzurri coach said during an event on Friday, as quoted by Gazzetta.

Spalletti replaced Mancini as Italy’s national team coach in September 2023. Saudi Arabia appointed Mancini a few weeks later, but the Italian resigned in October 2024.

Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, Assistant Coach of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

“I miss coaching, but it’s part of the job. Football is strange. Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks,” Mancini added on Friday.

Mancini’s view on Norway game

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, looks dejected after the team’s defeat in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

In the meantime, Italy will play a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Norway tonight.

“I think it’s important to start on the right foot,” argued Mancini.

“Norway is a good team, and the matches must be played.”

Erling Haaland’s country has already collected six points in the opening two games in Group I, while Italy will make their debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this evening.