Sacchi: Total Italy chaos but ‘moral duty’ to accept the job | OneFootball

Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi admits the Azzurri are now in ‘total chaos’ but insists coaches and players have a ‘moral duty’ to represent the national team when called upon.

Italy sacked Spalletti before a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova last week, but the FIGC’s main replacement, Claudio Ranieri, rejected the chance to become the new Azzurri CT, sticking to his advisor role at Roma.

“It seems to me that Italy are being treated poorly, and this makes me sad, “Sacchi told Gazzetta.

“Before the match against Norway, I read that a player had turned down Spalletti’s call-up and then had an argument with the former coach. Now there’s a serious person like Ranieri who, all of a sudden, after an agreement had already been made, backs out. The national team is left without a coach and in total chaos. Italy deserves to be treated differently.”

When asked about Ranieri’s refusal, Sacchi seemed to disagree with the decision of the 73-year-old.

Sacchi disagrees with Ranieri

TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I don’t know the reasons, but you can’t say no to the national team. It’s a moral duty to respond to the call,” he said.

“At least, that’s how I see it. The national team belongs to all Italians, and it should represent the highest achievement for a coach. What could be greater and more noble than being in charge of a project that involves the entire country?”

With Ranieri no longer in the race and Stefano Pioli eager to accept an offer from Fiorentina, the FIGC is now looking to 2006 World Cup winners Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro, with ‘Ringhio’ said to be the leading candidate.

Sacchi opens up on Italy candidates

Marseille head coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Europa League Group B first leg football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille on October 5, 2023. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t feel like expressing judgment on their qualities. They’ve had their experiences, they were great champions and they surely have the Azzurri colours running through their veins,” said Sacchi.

“They thrilled Italian fans when they won the 2006 World Cup. But being the head coach of Italy is complicated, take it from someone who has been on that bench. You have to select, train, manage the pressure and act as a psychologist. It’s not easy.”

How about a return of Roberto Mancini? The former Italy boss has also been linked with the job at Coverciano.

The Euro 2020 winner left his role in 2023 to become the Saudi Arabia national team coach.

“Everyone can make mistakes, and Mancini made one in that case. It appears that he recently admitted to it, which suggests he can engage in self-criticism,” concluded Sacchi.

“What matters is not to persist in the mistake. Even Mancini, in my opinion, deserves another try. After all, the last trophy we won was with him on the bench. He did a brilliant job on that occasion, building a team and giving it an identity. After that success, it was total darkness.”