Luciano Spalletti says his son Federico left Juventus after his appointment as head coach to build his own career, while the 2025-26 season has convinced him he is “only ever” a coach.
Speaking to Tuttosport on Monday, Spalletti reflected on his work with Juventus, Italy, Napoli and Roma. He also described his time as Italy manager as “an incomplete experience” before their Nations League home fixture against Turkey, which kicks off at 19.45 BST.
“I’m sorry to have left the job unfinished, but it’s still the same for me: You always love the national team,” he said.
“If you ask me if I feel like I had the full experience as head coach of the national team, I’d say that it remains an incomplete experience.”
Spalletti, who joined Juventus a few months into the 2025-26 campaign, helped stabilise the club but could not guide them into Serie A’s top four by the end of the season.
“We solved some fundamental issues and questions about who we really are,” he said. “But we had three or four incidents that interrupted our rhythm, like a few tactical fouls we suffered.”
His main regret was failing to maintain Juventus’ best form.
“Not having kept the high level of play we had done for most of the season. That cost us the Champions League,” Spalletti said.
He also made clear that he has no intention of moving into a director’s role when his coaching career ends.
“I would only be a director if they put my desk on the sidelines. Or if they gave me a desk the size of a penalty area.”
Spalletti said his passion for football began with following the game as a supporter. He recalled chasing Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan team bus to a motorway service station and waiting to see visiting players when major clubs played Empoli.
That experience influenced a new Juventus initiative, under which players spend five minutes meeting supporters when they arrive at hotels.
“I understand those who wait around for an autograph,” he said. “It bothers me that we can’t always please everyone in those situations because of the rush of everyday life. We have a rule this year: We dedicate five minutes to the people when we arrive at hotels in various cities. We have to bring the supporters closer to us.”
Federico Spalletti had been working as a Juventus scout but left for Genoa after his father’s appointment.
“When I first came to Juve, my son Federico told me: ‘Are you really coming here? Okay then, I’m leaving’,” Spalletti said. “He didn’t want to be affected by me. He wanted to go on his own journey as a scout and he really left. He told me clearly.”
Spalletti named Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Farioli of Porto as young Italian coaches he admires.
He praised Weston McKennie, saying Juventus had created the “Wes Zone” because the American can operate throughout the pitch.
“He’s a midfielder, a defender, an attacking midfielder: He plays wherever he wants,” Spalletti said.
He also singled out Douglas Luiz for his improvement, while identifying Alajbegovic as a player capable of surprising supporters. Spalletti added that Zhegrova could become a top player if he shows more of his ability.
