The UEFA Euro 2024 is generating significant buzz as it approaches its kickoff on June 14th in Germany. This year’s tournament is particularly notable for the strong presence of Italian coaches leading various national teams, highlighting the tactical prowess and global influence of Italian footballing minds in Euro Soccer Today. As Europe’s top 24 national teams prepare to battle for continental supremacy in Germany, a country hosting the Euros for the first time since reunification, the spotlight is not only on the players but also on the strategists in the dugouts.
This year, a remarkable five national teams at Euro 2024 will be guided by Italian coaches, a testament to Italy’s rich footballing heritage and coaching expertise. No other nation comes close to matching this representation in the coaching ranks, underscoring the widespread demand for Italian tactical acumen in international soccer.
Luciano Spalletti intensely watches Italy's match from the sideline
Looking across the nationalities of the head coaches at Euro 2024, the overwhelming majority hail from Europe, with only one exception. That exception is Sylvinho, the Brazilian coach who impressively leads the Albanian national team. Sylvinho, who gained Albanian citizenship in December 2023, adds a unique international flavor to the coaching lineup.
Sylvinho, the Brazilian coach leading Albania, in a focused stance during a match
Among the Italian contingent, Luciano Spalletti will be at the helm for defending champions Italy, aiming to guide them to another European title. He is joined by Francesco Calzona (Slovakia), Vincenzo Montella (Turkey), Domenico Tedesco (Belgium), and Marco Rossi (Hungary), all of whom bring Italian coaching philosophies to their respective national teams in this prestigious euro soccer today event.
Following Italy’s significant representation, Spain, Germany, and France each have two coaches leading national sides at Euro 2024. Germany’s coaching talent is showcased by Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) and Ralf Rangnick (Austria), while Spain is represented by Luis de la Fuente (Spain) and Roberto Martinez (Portugal). France contributes Didier Deschamps (France) and Willy Sagnol (Georgia) to the coaching mix.
The remaining participating nations feature a diverse array of coaching nationalities, including one each from Brazil, England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Ukraine. As previously mentioned, Brazilian-Albanian Sylvinho coaches Albania, and the rest of the national teams are led by coaches of their own nationality.
With the spotlight on Italy, many are keenly observing Luciano Spalletti’s choices and strategies for the Azzurri. After finalizing his 26-man roster for Euro 2024, Spalletti has set the stage for Italy’s title defense. Ivan Provedel, Riccardo Orsolini, and Samuele Ricci were the final players cut from the squad, paving the way for the selected 26 to compete on the euro soccer today stage.
Italy's national team players celebrating a goal during a Euro qualification match
Italy’s Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Captain, PSG), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma).
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).
