Gravina: Mancini offered himself for Italy return, Spalletti couldn’t ‘contain his outburst’

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirms that Roberto Mancini had made himself available to return as Italy coach, while Luciano Spalletti had the ‘reaction of a true Italian’ when he announced his dismissal.

Gravina spoke about Spalletti’s dismissal and the hiring of Gennaro Gattuso during an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

The Azzurri sacked Spalletti after a 3-0 loss against Norway on June 6 and appointed Gattuso a few days later.

Gravina has now revealed that the former midfielder was part of the FIGC plan regardless of Spalletti’s departure.

Gattuso already picked for Italy U21 job

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on prior to the National anthems prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“At Club Italia, the dialogue is constant. In March 2025, we had already contacted Rino [Gattuso] to get him involved,” said the FIGC President.

“He would have become the U21 coach. Baldini was also on board, so when we had the chance, we called both of them.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Gabriele Gravina president of FIGC during the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Gravina also confirmed that Mancini had made himself available to replace Spalletti.

Mancini had won the 2020 Euros but also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and resigned in August 2023, becoming the Saudi Arabia national team coach just a few weeks later.

“It’s true, I spoke to him, and he made himself very available,” Gravina confirmed.

The FIGC President went on to say that he “wouldn’t have dismissed” Spalletti even after the defeat to Norway and explained what happened the day the ex-Italy boss announced his resignation.

Spalletti had ‘the reaction of a true Italian’

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy looks on during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gravina had been criticised for not being the first to announce Spalletti’s exit and not even attending the press conference, but he clarified: “It was not true, I was there, but since it was UEFA’s pre-match press conference, I couldn’t speak. At the end of the press conference, Luciano and I were supposed to announce the termination together.

“He broke down at the first question,” concluded Gravina.

“He couldn’t contain his outburst of anger, but it was the reaction of a true Italian.”