April 3 (UPI) — Coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned after failing to guide the Italian men’s national team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Italian Football Federation announced Friday.
The Italians, who lost 4-1 in penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday in their final qualifier, failed to qualify for each of the last three editions of the World Cup.
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Gattuso’s departure came a day after the federation president, Gabriele Gravina, and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon stepped down from their roles.
“With a heavy heart, and having fallen short of the goal we set ourselves, I feel my time as head coach of the national team has come to an end,” Gattuso said in a statement. “The Azzurri shirt is the most precious thing in football, and for that reason it’s only right to make way immediately for the federation’s future decisions.
“I would like to thank president Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon, along with everyone at the federation, for the trust and support they have always shown me. It has been an honor to lead the national team, especially with a group of players who have shown such commitment and dedication.
“But my biggest thanks go to the fans, to all Italians who, over these months, have never stopped showing their love and support for the team. I will always carry the Azzurri in my heart.”
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Former manager Gian Piero Ventura was fired in 2017, two days after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Italy also didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup under his replacement, Roberto Mancini, who resigned in 2023.
Luciano Spalletti, who replaced Mancini, was fired in June after the Italians lost to Norway in their first match of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Gattuso, who was hired days later, helped guide the Italians to the World Cup qualifying playoff tournament for the third consecutive time.
But, like his predecessors, he too ultimately fell short of clinching a spot in the World Cup.
“In just a few months, he managed to restore enthusiasm around the national team, instilling a real sense of pride in the Azzurri among the players and the entire country,” Gravina said of Gattuso.
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The 2026 World Cup will be held June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Italy, the No. 12 team in the world rankings, and No. 20 Denmark are the only Top 25 teams that failed to qualify for the tournament.
The Italians, who won World Cups in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, failed to advance past the group stage in their last two appearances in 2010 and 2014. They finished within the Top 4, including two titles and two runner-up finishes, over a span of 10 tournaments from 1970 through 2006.
