Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali's Italy will begin their search for a new manager after head coach Luciano Spalletti, unexpectedly, revealed he had been sacked by the Azzurri in recent days. The 66-year-old announced the news at a pre-match press conference, to the surprise of everyone in attendance and Italian fans around the world.
Spalletti's shock exit comes days after Italy's first World Cup group qualifier, which ended in a 3-0 defeat against Norway. He will remain on the bench for Monday's showdown with Moldova before negotiating his exit.
“I spoke with Gabriele Gravina [Italian Football Federation president] last night and he informed me I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach. I am disappointed," Spalletti told reporters on Sunday.
“I had no intention of stepping down. Especially when things are not going well. I would have preferred to stay and do my job. However, it is a dismissal, I have to accept it.”
Tonali has been a mainstay for his country since Spalletti took over the national team role following his Serie A title win with Napoli. As the midfielder returned from a 10-month ban in August 2024, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe sought to take his time when reintroducing the player to first-team duties.
Spalletti did the exact opposite and threw Tonali straight back into the deep end, giving the former AC Milan man regular starts for his country. The move undoubtedly helped speed up the central midfielder's return to full fitness, benefitting the Magpies in the process.
"Sandro Tonali is immense for what he is doing," Spalletti said of the Newcastle favourite last year. "It is incredible, the game can last as long as he wants for him.
“He made two runs in the 90th minute [against Israel] with a pace frequency, a strength that is truly incredible. When he starts he turns the engine on at a thousand and when he turns it off it goes at a thousand the same.
“Maybe he still has to vent some of the anger from what he has accumulated since last year."
Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes' Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw with Ecuador over the weekend as former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti took charge of his first Selecao fixture.
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