Gennaro Gattuso has left his role as Italy head coach following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Gattuso’s side were beaten on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final on Tuesday as Italy missed out on a place at the tournament for a third successive edition.
On Thursday, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, and former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, the FIGC’s head of delegation, both resigned from their positions. Gattuso followed on Friday, with FIGC announcing that they had mutually terminated his contract.
“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,” Gattuso said in a statement on the federation’s website.
“The Azzurri jersey is the most precious asset in football, which is why it’s right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start. I would like to thank president Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon, along with all the Federation’s staff, for the trust and support they have always shown me.
“It has been an honor to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the jersey. But the greatest thanks go to the fans, to all Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team over these months. Always with the Azzurri in my heart.”
Gattuso, 48, was appointed Italy head coach in the summer of 2025, replacing Luciano Spalletti.
The team failed to qualify automatically for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after finishing second to Norway in their group.
They beat Northern Ireland in their playoff semi-final and had led in the final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, before being reduced to 10 men as Alessandro Bastoni was sent off. Italy lost 4-1 on penalties, becoming the first former World Cup champions to miss out on three consecutive editions of the tournament.
Gattuso apologised after Italy fell at the final qualification hurdle but did not comment on his future in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.
“The lads didn’t deserve to take a beating like that,” he told Italian broadcaster RAI. “We struggled, we had chances to score, but that’s football. I’m proud of my lads.
“We needed this (World Cup qualification) – for ourselves, for Italy, for our sport. A blow like this is hard to take.
“Personally, I apologise for not making it to the World Cup, but the lads have impressed me.”
Gattuso made 73 appearances for Italy during a 10-year senior international career and was part of the side that won the 2006 World Cup. The 2006 tournament marks the last time that Italy have progressed past the group stages at the men’s World Cup.
The former midfielder has also had spells in charge of Sion, Palermo, OFI, Pisa, Milan, Napoli, Valencia, Marseille and Hajduk Split across his 13 years in management.
