April 03, (THEWILL) — Gennaro Gattuso has resigned as Italy’s head coach after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, bringing a turbulent chapter in Italian football to a close.
Italy were knocked out by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, losing 4-1 on penalties after the two sides drew 1-1 in Zenica.
The defeat extends the four-time world champions’ absence from the sport’s biggest stage to at least 2030, having last featured at a World Cup in 2014.
Gattuso, who had been appointed only last June to succeed Luciano Spalletti, won six of his eight matches before parting ways with the national team.
“With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time as coach of the national team to be over,” he said.
The former midfielder acknowledged the weight of the Azzurri jersey and praised his players for their commitment throughout his tenure.
Reports indicated federation officials had urged him to remain in charge for two friendlies in June, but Gattuso opted to stand down regardless.
His departure follows those of Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon, both of whom had already resigned, leaving Italian football in a state of considerable upheaval.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
