Italy push for Ranieri to replace Spalletti despite Roma commitment

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 2:20 PM ET

The FIGC will continue in their attempts to convince Claudio Ranieri to take on the job of Italy national team head coach after the departure of Luciano Spalletti, despite his desire to continue working in his new role with Roma.

The Italy national team are in need of a new head coach following the announcement that Spalletti will leave his post after the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Moldova on Monday night.

The Nazionale need a new CT to guide the team through the complicated World Cup qualification process, and ideally into the final tournament in North America taking place in the summer of 2026.

Initial reports claim that Ranieri and former Milan Scudetto winner Stefano Pioli are the first-choice candidates to take over from Spalletti.

Reports in Italy claim that Pioli is the more viable option, but that Spalletti is the first choice of FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.

Italy want Ranieri to replace Spalletti as CT

Ranieri has just finished his duties as interim head coach of Roma, having taken over from Ivan Juric at the Stadio Olimpico on a short-term contract penned in November.

The Giallorossi confirmed on Saturday that Ranieri will serve as ‘a manager and advisor to the ownership’ now that his temporary duties as head coach are complete.

Reports on Sunday claim that Ranieri is keen to continue in his new role with Roma, despite being on the shortlist for the Italy national team job.

However, according to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, the FIGC will continue in their attempts to convince Ranieri to take over as CT.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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