Juventus coach Spalletti in mourning after mother dies at 93

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is mourning the death of his mother Ilva, who he revealed had sewn an Italy flag that he took with him when coaching the Nazionale.

Ilva, who lived in their hometown near Empoli, was 93 years old.

Spalletti career influenced by his mother

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, and Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, hug prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Spalletti often referenced his mother throughout his career, both as a player and a coach, as she was a formative figure in his passion for the sport.

When he was first appointed the coach of the Italy squad in September 2023, he confessed that there was a very special memento from his childhood that he would carry with him into this experience.

PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“At age 11, I asked my mother to sew a giant Italian flag for me. The World Cup was on in Mexico, mothers at that time would sew at home, and I asked her to make me the biggest Italian flag possible to celebrate that fantastic 4-3 win over Germany.

“Now, I carry that flag with me onto the bench and hope to revive that dream, all together, so that this flag can be waved by all children just as I did. This was my fairy tale come true.”

Tributes and condolences have been pouring in from other clubs following the news that Spalletti has lost his mother, and naturally he will not be attending pre-season training today.

The coach had also been very protective of his mother, lashing out angrily after Napoli’s Serie A match away to Fiorentina in 2022 , when some hooligans behind the bench hurled non-stop abuse.

“They are professionally rude, staying behind the bench being offensive from start to finish,” he had said at the time.

“With children so close by, they still shout about ‘your mother’ constantly. Unfortunately, it’s often like this in Florence, they love to insult you and cross the line.”

Monitor for confirmation of whether Spalletti will miss upcoming Juventus fixtures; expect potential short-term absence or reduced media presence.