Going into the 1999–2000 Serie A season, Venezia replaced Novellino with Luciano Spalletti. But without Recoba, Venezia would struggle. During the campaign, they would go through three coaches — Spalletti was sacked in the fall, then recalled after Giuseppe Materazzi lasted just 27 days, until Francesco Oddo was hired in February. Venezia would make a run in the 1999–2000 Coppa Italia, eliminating Udinese and Fiorentina among others on their way to the semifinals, where they were finally beaten by Lazio, but that form wouldn't carry over to league play. Venezia ultimately finished 16th and were relegated to Serie B.