Italy’s national team has once again been plunged into uncertainty after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as head coach by mutual consent, just days after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Italian Football Federation confirmed the decision on Friday, bringing an end to Gattuso’s brief nine-month tenure. His exit follows Tuesday’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Italy lost on penalties to miss out on yet another global tournament.
Gattuso admitted the disappointment was overwhelming, acknowledging that the team had fallen short of its primary objective. The former midfielder stated that stepping aside was necessary to allow a fresh direction for the national setup.
The setback extends a troubling trend for the four-time world champions, who have now failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups. Previous eliminations at the hands of Sweden and North Macedonia had already raised serious concerns about the long-term direction of Italian football.
The turmoil within the national team setup has been further compounded by leadership changes at the top. Federation president Gabriele Gravina recently resigned, alongside delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon, signaling a broader institutional shake-up.
Gattuso had taken over from Luciano Spalletti in June, inheriting a squad already under pressure following a poor start to qualification. Despite an initial resurgence that saw Italy register six consecutive wins, inconsistency returned at a crucial stage, forcing the team into the playoffs once again.
Spalletti’s earlier tenure had also been marked by disappointment, including a Round of 16 exit at Euro 2024, where Italy were knocked out by Switzerland despite entering the tournament as defending champions.
While Gattuso managed to reconnect the squad with fans and restore a sense of pride in the national jersey, results ultimately defined his tenure. The failure to secure a place at the World Cup proved decisive.
Attention now turns to potential successors, with several high-profile names already linked to the role. Former Euro 2020-winning coach Roberto Mancini is among the candidates, alongside Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte, and Massimiliano Allegri.
Italy are scheduled to play international friendlies in June, though a permanent appointment is unlikely before the Italian federation elects a new president later that month. Until then, the Azzurri remain in a period of transition, searching for stability after yet another painful chapter in their recent history.
