SPAGHETTI WHOOPS

SOS call to Ranieri as Italy fear new World Cup KO

- NEIL McLEMAN

CLAUDIO RANIERI is the people's choice to be the next Italy coach - and save the four-time winners from missing a third consecutive World Cup.

Luciano Spalletti yesterday revealed in an emotional press conference that he had been sacked following Friday's humiliating defeat to Norway but will bizarrely remain in the job for tonight's qualifier against Moldova.

The Azzurri have not appeared at a World Cup since 2014 after losing play-offs to Sweden (2018) and North Macedonia (2022) despite winning Euro 2021.

But the shambolic 3-0 defeat in their opening qualifier for USA 2026 caused panic in the Italian game and the sacking of Spalletti.