Italy’s national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down by mutual consent, just three days after the squad failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The Italian soccer federation expressed gratitude for Gattuso’s nine months in charge, praising his dedication and passion in a formal statement. Italy’s hopes for the tournament in North America ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff.
Gattuso said, “With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over.” His departure follows the resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. Italy, four-time World Cup champions, have now missed the last three tournaments after previous playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia. Gattuso had taken over in June from Luciano Spalletti, whose tenure included a disappointing 2024 European Championship exit. Under Gattuso, Italy briefly revived its form with a six-match winning streak, but another loss to Norway in November forced them back into the playoffs.
Several high-profile coaches, including Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte, and Massimiliano Allegri, are being discussed as potential replacements. Italy is scheduled to play two friendlies in June, but a new head coach may not be appointed before then, as the election for a new federation president is set for June 22. Gattuso, reflecting on his time with the Azzurri, described it as an honor and thanked the players and fans for their unwavering support.
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