Luciano Spalletti took charge of Italy one last time on Monday, and while his side sent him off with a win, the sacked manager accepted that he isn¡¯t leaving the team in a great place for his replacement and has failed to improve it.

Spalletti paid the ultimate price for a 3-0 drubbing in Norway on Friday as Italy¡¯s World Cup qualifying campaign was already compromised in its opening game, and an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova was not how he wished to bow out.

¡°I¡¯m disappointed with the result,¡± Spalletti said at his final press conference.

¡°I don¡¯t give back to those who come after me a great national team because we didn¡¯t play a great match tonight either. I was given the opportunity to work, I tried, I made mistakes and I even tried some experiments.

¡°I try to learn everything in whatever I approach, I¡¯m not convinced I¡¯m the smartest one. I haven¡¯t been able to get the best out of these players and I have to take note of that.¡±

Spalletti announced his own dismissal on the eve of the Moldova match, which comes after less than two years in the role and included a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. While he never thought of resigning, he conceded he has failed to improve things.

¡°If you agree to coach the national team like I did, then you have to find the solution. You can¡¯t hide behind the fact that you have few players, you start to find alibis,¡± Spalletti said.

¡°I did badly and in some ways it is right that I go home. But I didn¡¯t resign, because I think I can do better. But, if I am told that I am no longer the one, then I sign the resolution (of the contract).

¡°I left the national team as when I found it, just as it is.¡±

Italy has yet to name his replacement, with Claudio Ranieri reported to be the first choice, and Spalletti was asked if he had any advice for his eventual successor.

¡°I tried to shake things up when I arrived but then maybe it was worse from what we saw,¡± he said.

¡°You realize whether you did right or wrong only later, I tried some things and worked hard.

¡°I wish all the best to the federation and to the new coach who will arrive.¡±