Capello: ‘Nobody resigns’ in Italy, ‘I didn’t understand Calafiori’ | OneFootball

Former Milan, Roma and Juventus coach Fabio Capello admits it’s ‘normal’ to see Luciano Spalletti on the brink, even if ‘nobody resigns anymore’ in Italy and adds he didn’t understand why Riccardo Calafiori could not be called up for games in June.

Italy is facing another crisis following a 3-0 loss to Norway in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers.

The Azzurri return to action on Monday against Moldova, but they already risk going through the qualifying playoffs to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Spalletti will meet FIGC President Gabriele Gravina on Tuesday, only a few hours after the second World Cup qualifying match.

Capello, a former England and Russia national team coach, is clearly not surprised by Spalletti’s unstable position.

Capello opens up about Italy crisis and Spalletti

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, reacts during 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)

“I think it’s normal. In the past, if Italy performed poorly in a major tournament, the World Cup or the Euros, you’d go home. Now, nobody resigns anymore,” the ex-coach told Gazzetta.

Does this mean that even Gravina’s position should be under scrutiny?

“Yes, even if I don’t think the national team’s results depend on the Federation’s President,” admitted Capello.

“Besides, Gravina was re-elected by the electoral assembly with almost 99% of the votes, so what are we even talking about?”

Capello on Acerbi and Calafiori

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy goes down with an injury during 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 Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The June break didn’t start well for the Azzurri as Francesco Acerbi refused to play for the Azzurri as he didn’t feel part of Spalletti’s project.

“I didn’t like the Acerbi situation. Okay, Spalletti surely made a mistake by saying those things in public, but a player cannot refuse a national team call-up,” noted Capello.

“The Inter defender should have gone to prove to the coach that he really needed an ‘old man’ as the coach had recklessly called him. Instead, he said no, and that’s a bad sign. It means the sense of belonging to the group isn’t very strong. Just like I didn’t understand Calafiori.”

Spalletti did not call up the Arsenal defender, who had only played two of the Gunners’ last ten Premier League matches due to knee issues.

“When it comes to the Azzurri, you must play even if you are not 100% fit,” insisted Capello.

“It’s a matter of responsibility.”