The Italian national team faces significant changes after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal. This decision came following a disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Italy lost to Norway and barely managed to win against Moldova. After a lackluster performance in the 2024 Euro and missing the last two World Cups, Italy is in dire need of a fresh start.

While the FIGC initially considered Claudio Ranieri for the role, he opted out, which opened the door for other candidates such as Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, and Fabio Cannavaro. However, Jose Mourinho has emerged as a compelling option due to his extensive managerial experience and previous success in Italian football with clubs like Inter and AS Roma.

Mourinho’s coaching style, particularly effective in short-term scenarios, makes him a fitting candidate for Italy, especially considering the timeline leading up to the World Cup next year. While initially skeptical, his potential role could be pivotal.

With the Azzurri in a critical phase, the federation aims to hire a coach who can bring Italy back to its winning ways, avoiding the shame of failing to qualify for yet another World Cup. As the clock ticks, the decision will shape the future trajectory of Italian soccer.