Spalletti explains why he announced his own Italy departure before Moldova qualifier

Questions have been asked as to why Spalletti has remained in charge for the Moldova match if the Federcalcio had already taken the decision to let him go. 

Spalletti has since explained his stance on the matter, and asked ‘should I have continued being a coach for two more days and say nothing?’ in response to questions over his decision to announce his own departure to the press on Sunday. 

“I went to the press conference because there are rules. If someone from the federation wanted to come with me, they could have done so,” Spalletti said in an interview with Rai, (via Corriere dello Sport)

“What sense would there have been in me telling two more days of lies?”, he continued. 

“Should I have continued being a coach for two more days, and say nothing? Would that have been respectful towards Italians? I don’t know. 

“I believe in this team, I based my approach on my way of being. They appreciated me in Russia, at Empoli, at Roma, at Udinese. At Sampdoria they sent me away and then called me back, like at Udinese.

“I made mistakes, the results are what they are. If it’s been a disaster, then it’s a sign that I’ve made mistakes.” 

Spalletti will step down from his position as CT after the Moldova match, which kicks off at 19.45 on Monday night. 

Monday’s reports claim that Roma advisor Claudio Ranieri is currently the leading candidate to replace him.