Gennaro Gattuso has resigned as head coach of the Italy national football team after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, a setback that has sent shockwaves through Italian football.
A member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, Gattuso departs less than a year after taking charge, with the national team struggling to keep pace with traditional rivals like France and Spain in recent decades.
Italy’s hopes were dashed following a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final.
The loss ultimately led to Gattuso’s exit, coming shortly after the resignation of Gabriele Gravina as president of the Italian Football Federation.
Although Gravina had initially asked Gattuso to remain in charge after the defeat in Zenica, his own departure—along with that of national team general manager Gianluigi Buffon—cleared the path for Gattuso to step down.
Gattuso was appointed in June last year following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, who had overseen a disappointing Euro 2024 title defence and a heavy 3-0 loss to Norway in a World Cup qualifier.
Despite recording six wins, one draw, and one loss in eight matches—scoring 22 goals and conceding 10—results in key fixtures proved costly. A 1-1 draw with Bosnia preceded the decisive shootout defeat, while the lone loss was a heavy 4-1 defeat to Norway at the San Siro.
Gattuso’s appointment had been questioned due to his inconsistent record at club level, and criticism intensified following Italy’s latest failure to reach the World Cup.