With Italy in danger of missing out on a third World Cup, a former Azzurri manager has strangely blamed the country's struggles on Pep Guardiola
Italy's World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Norway, and head coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he will be stepping down after Monday's qualifier against Moldova.
These developments have led ex-Italy boss Fabio Capello to turn his frustration to an unusual suspect: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Capello lashes out at 'Guardiolism' for Italy's downfall
In the aftermath of the Azzurri's embarrassing loss to Norway, Fabio Capello lashed out at Guardiola once again.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 78-year-old claimed he felt "ashamed" and blamed Italy's collapse on an overreliance on possession football.
The former Real Madrid boss complained, "I'm not surprised. In Academies, kids are told to follow tactics, keep possession, and back-pass to the goalkeeper, instead of being encouraged to develop quality and creativity. Where do you think we're going like that?
"Let me say we've taken the worst part of Guardiolism, our midfielders never turn towards the opponents' goal, while others constantly look forward and execute at a speed we can only dream of. Even the Champions League Final showed us that."
This is not the first time that Capello has attacked Guardiola in recent months, with the Italian even accusing the Spaniard of ruining football.
Spalletti confirms exit amid mounting pressure
Current Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, who replaced Roberto Mancini after Euro 2024, announced that he will terminate his contract after the upcoming game against Moldova.
The defeat to Norway, coupled with previous failures, has only amplified pressure on the federation as Italy look to be in danger of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup.
Spalletti claims the decision to relieve him had already been made behind closed doors, but he was choosing to walk before being pushed.
His short-lived tenure showed flashes of promise but ultimately stumbled, and now Italy's 2026 World Cup dreams could be slipping away before they've even begun.
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