Ranieri Tipped for Italy Job with Argentine Forward in Tow

Bolavip reports that, following the 3-0 defeat to Norway and the looming dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, Claudio Ranieri is emerging as the top candidate to lead Italy. The federation is eyeing Ranieri for his track record of rescuing teams. Intriguingly, Matías Soulé, an Argentine-born forward with dual citizenship, could follow him into the national setup.

Spalletti has confirmed this Monday’s match against Moldova, on 9 June, will be his last at the helm. Under pressure from a rocky World Cup qualifying start, the Italian FA has acted decisively following their heavy debut loss. At 73, Ranieri fits the federation’s criteria—experience, emergency-management skills, and deep understanding of Italian football.

The potential inclusion of Soulé—currently at Roma, uncapped by Argentina and eligible for Italy—marks a bold shift. If Ranieri takes charge, he could cap the player early as part of a broader squad overhaul: although Soulé has already declined Spalletti's previous invitation to join La Nazionale, Ranieri being his former coach might tip the scales in his favour.

The incoming coach faces two urgent missions: to get Italy back on track for World Cup 2026, after disappointments in the previous two qualifiers, and to inject fresh talent into the squad. Bringing in Soulé signals a daring blend of youth, versatility and cross-national appeal.