Gennaro Gattuso resigns as Italy manager after World Cup qualifying failure
Gennaro Gattuso has resigned from his position as head coach of the Italian national team following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Italian Football Federation confirmed the departure, which comes in the wake of a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying play-off final. The loss means Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup, a historic low for the four-time world champions.
Gattuso's exit is part of a wider upheaval at the federation, with president Gabriele Gravina also tendering his resignation. Former goalkeeper and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon has stepped down from his role as well, marking a complete clear-out of the senior leadership following the qualifying disaster. The federation is now set to elect a new president in June while the search for a permanent manager begins.
The resignation follows a report from Italian newspaper La Repubblica that revealed several players had inquired about qualification bonuses prior to the crucial play-off match. According to the report, the potential bonus was estimated at 300,000 euros per player. It is claimed that Gattuso himself intervened to label the timing of the inquiry as inappropriate ahead of the must-win fixture. This incident added to a sense of disorder, as some Italian players were also filmed celebrating Bosnia's earlier play-off win over Wales, a moment perceived as lacking focus.
Gattuso, a former midfield enforcer who earned 73 caps for Italy, had only been in the job for a brief period, having been appointed in late 2023. His tenure was defined by the singular task of securing World Cup qualification through the play-offs, a mission that ended in failure in Sarajevo. His managerial career includes spells at AC Milan, Napoli, Valencia, and Fiorentina, often characterized by his intense, passionate touchline demeanor.
The search for his successor will be a critical early task for the federation's new hierarchy. Potential candidates are likely to be scrutinized for their ability to rebuild a fractured squad culture and restore a winning mentality to a nation in footballing crisis. Italy will play two friendlies in June under a temporary coach, with the next competitive matches coming in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. The failure to reach North America 2026 represents a profound setback for Italian football, demanding a period of deep introspection and structural reform.
