Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup.
The Italian FA made the announcement in a statement, thanking Gattuso “for his dedication and passion” during his nine months in charge.
Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shoot-out loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying play-off.
“With pain in my heart because I didn’t reach the goal we set for myself, I consider my experience on the bench of the national team to be over,” Gattuso said.
Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was head of the national team delegation.
The defeat with Bosnia added further misery for four-time champions Italy after being knocked out by Sweden and North Macedonia in the qualifying play-offs for the last two World Cups.
Gattuso took over from the sacked Luciano Spalletti in June with squadricycle already in crisis regime after defeat in Norway in its opening qualifier.
Spalletti also oversaw a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, where title holders Italy were knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16.
“I would like to thank Gattuso once again,” said Gravina. “Because apart from being a special person, he has made a valuable contribution as a coach and has been able to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in a matter of months.
“He gave the players and the whole country great pride in the national team jersey.”
Italy went on a six-game winning streak under Gattus before another loss to Norway in November to finish second in their group and miss out on the play-offs again.
Gattuso has been given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic extension until 2028 if Italy return to football’s biggest stage.
“The Azzurri shirt is the most valuable thing there is in football, so it is right to immediately facilitate future decisions for coaches,” said Gattuso.
“It was an honor for me to be able to lead the national team, even with a group of boys who showed commitment and adherence to the jersey. The biggest thanks go to the fans, everyone
Italians have never been able to show love and support to the national team in recent months.”
Among those mentioned to replace Gattuso are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.
Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship in 2021, then failed to get the Azzurri to next year’s World Cup before pouncing to take over the Saudi Arabia national team. He left that role in October 2024 and is currently a coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar.
Inzaghi led Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and now manages Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Conte coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship and is currently in Naples.
Allegri is the coach of AC Milan.
Italy will play two friendlies in June but are unlikely to have a new coach by then, given that the election of a new FIGC president will not take place until June 22.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
03 Apr 2026 20:12 IST
