Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has reportedly attempted to install discipline in his squad at Euro 2024 by setting out four strict rules.
Spalletti, 65, will lead the Azzurri into the tournament in Germany this summer, where they will hope to defend the crown they won back at Euro 2020.
However, Spalletti, who took over the national team after leading Napoli to a historic Serie A title last season, will be hampered by Italy’s status as fourth seeds, which has seen them drawn in a group alongside Spain, Albania and Croatia.
And in an attempt to help his side in Germany, Spalletti has introduced four strict rules to his squad.
According to EuroFoot, the 65-year-old has banned his squad from using a PlayStation, while they will also be forbidden from playing games after midnight.
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has introduced four rules for his squad to follow at Euro 2024
Spalletti has banned his squad from using a PlayStation, while they will also be forbidden from playing games after midnight and won’t be able use their phones at the massage table
Players will also reportedly not be able to wear headphones while they are with the rest of the squad and will be banned from using their phones while they are at the massage table.
And fans were left baffled by Spalletti’s rules as one said: ‘No headphones is torture fr (for real),’ while another added: ‘No headphones? Come on now, I can’t even listen to music.’
A further baffled supporter said: ‘No PlayStation? Not no Xbox????’, while another exclaimed: ‘Is he managing kids? Does he think he’s coaching an Under 17 or Under 21 team?’
Meanwhile, one felt trouble was on the horizon for Spalletti and Italy by implementing these rules as they said: ‘Someone tell Spalletti that strict law doesn’t win anyone the title. Most times, strict law destroys relationships in football camps leading to early exit.’
Spalletti’s ban on certain things comes after his fellow countryman Enzo Maresca was appointed as Chelsea’s new boss, with the Italian expected to impose strict discipline at their Cobham training base.
According to reports, Marcos Alvarez, who previously worked with Maresca at Leicester and is moving to Stamford Bridge, has prohibited things such as fried eggs, ketchup, salt and pepper during his career as a notorious dietician at several clubs.
Meanwhile, Spalletti has won six of his 10 games in charge of Italy since taking over in the aftermath of Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation in August.
After arriving in difficult circumstances, Spalletti helped to guide Italy to Euro 2024 by narrowly edging out Ukraine in qualifying via a superior head-to-head record.
Several supporters were left baffled by the implementation of these rules by Spalletti
Spalletti will hope it improves Italy’s chances of success at the tournament in Germany
It comes as Enzo Maresca is set to bring strict dietician and fitness coach Marcos Alvarez with him to Chelsea, with Alvarez known for banning players from eating fried eggs in his career
The Azzurri are currently in a transitional stage, with Spalletti aiming to stamp his authority on a new-look team with several talented young players.
Although they automatically qualified for Euro 2024, Italy drew 0-0 with Turkey and narrowly beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 last week in an unconvincing build-up to the tournament.
They kick off their campaign on Saturday night when they take on Albania in Dortmund.