Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach of the Italy national football team by mutual consent, admitting he leaves “with pain in his heart” after failing to guide the team to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The decision comes just days after Italy suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in the playoff final, sealing their absence from the global showpiece for a third consecutive time.
Azzurri’s alarming decline
Italy’s failure marks an unprecedented low for one of football’s most decorated nations. The four-time world champions have now missed out on three successive World Cups, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Gattuso had taken charge during the qualification campaign after replacing Luciano Spalletti, who himself had succeeded Roberto Mancini. Despite a promising start, Italy finished second in their group behind Norway, forcing them into the playoffs, where their campaign ultimately ended.
Federation leadership also shaken
The fallout has extended beyond the dugout. Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon both stepped down shortly after the defeat. An election to appoint a new federation president is scheduled for June 22 in Rome, adding further uncertainty to Italian football’s immediate future.
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Search for a new manager begins
With Gattuso’s departure, attention has quickly turned to potential successors. Names under consideration include Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri. Each candidate brings a wealth of experience, but the challenge ahead is significant, rebuilding confidence and restoring Italy’s standing on the global stage.
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Uncertain road ahead
Italy are set to play friendly matches in June, but a permanent coaching appointment may not be finalised until after the federation elections. For now, the Azzurri face a period of introspection after a historic failure, with sweeping changes expected both on and off the pitch as they attempt to recover from one of the darkest chapters in their football history.
