Luciano Spalletti has caused quite the stir after offering a helping hand to Gennaro Gattuso as Italy failed to secure automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Luciano Spalletti Offers Helping Hand To Gennaro Gattuso Gennaro Gattuso has come under huge scrutiny after the Azzurri finished second in their World Cup qualification group and Luciano […]
Luciano Spalletti has caused quite the stir after offering a helping hand to Gennaro Gattuso as Italy failed to secure automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Luciano Spalletti Offers Helping Hand To Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso has come under huge scrutiny after the Azzurri finished second in their World Cup qualification group and Luciano Spalletti has given his thoughts on the Italian national team.
The 66-year-old acted as manager of the Azzurri between September 2023 and June 2025, overseeing 23 matches, which included an early departure in the 2024 European Championships.
Spalletti was relieved of his duties by the FIGC after a poor run of form and the Italian was replaced by Gennaro Gattuso, before going on to become the new Juventus manager on October 30th.
The Italian national team appeared to have found a new lease of life under Gattuso, winning their opening five games under their new boss – before suffering a 3-1 defeat by Norway.
Failing to finish top of their group saw Italy draw Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoffs and the Azzurri will be looking to qualify for the competition for the first time since 2014.
This result led to the Azzurri’s former boss offering Gattuso a helping hand ahead of their playoff clash, as Spalletti believes that he could play a pivotal role in Italy’s road to the World Cup.
Spalletti said: “Other discussions are things that can distract them. What we can do to help is to care about them and give them support. I care about these players and Gattuso; they deserve my support.
“As the Juventus coach, I can say that if the national team needs anything from me, we would be happy to provide it, whatever is necessary, in terms of time and availability, to contribute to reaching the World Cup. I am convinced it will happen, but if we can lend a hand, we can do it together.”
The Juventus manager’s comments have not gone down well with Italian soccer fans, as Spalletti’s time with the Azzurri failed to live up to expectations.
Italian Soccer Fans Push Against Spalletti Involvement
Spalletti’s appointment as manager of the Italian national team was met with huge excitement by supporters, as the 66-year-old was coming off a Scudetto-winning season with Napoli.
However, Spalletti failed to find his feet in the hot-seat, winning just one game at the 2024 European Championships before suffering a round of 16 exit by Switzerland.
The Azzurri were then beaten in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals by Germany, before losing their opening World Cup qualifier to Norway – resulting in Spalletti’s sacking.
His overall performance left a sour taste in the mouths of Italian supporters and any future involvement with the Azzurri may not be well-received – as shown by this supporter labeling Spalletti as Italy’s ‘worst coaching appointment’.
Spalletti was the worst coaching appointment Italy could’ve made.
God I hope they qualify in March 😭
— Michaelp (@mikeperrino11) November 16, 2025
One positive factor that came from Spalletti’s rein with Italy was the implementation of younger players and this is something that Gattuso is hoping to continue with the likes of Pio Esposito.
Gennaro Gattuso has promised to integrate younger players into the senior side, but may take a step back as the scrutiny continues to grow on the Azzurri boss.
The 55-year-old is likely to be sacked if the Azzurri fail to qualify for the World Cup and Thiago Motta has already been highlighted as a possible candidate for the next Italy manager.
If Spalletti is called upon to help Italy in any way then further pressure will be added to the Azzurri manager, as supporters will be against the Juventus manager’s involvement.
