Gennaro Gattuso steps down as Italy manager after World Cup qualification failure
Gennaro Gattuso has left his role as head coach of the Italian national team by mutual consent with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The decision, confirmed in an official statement on Friday, comes just three days after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The former AC Milan and Marseille manager described leaving with a "heavy heart" after not achieving the set objectives.
Gattuso's departure was widely anticipated and triggers a period of significant upheaval for Italian football's governing body. His exit follows the resignation of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and that of delegation head Gianluigi Buffon, leaving the federation's leadership structure in need of a complete rebuild. The search for a new manager to lead the Azzurri into the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign is now the immediate priority.
According to reports in the Italian press, early contenders to replace Gattuso include two former Italy managers: Roberto Mancini, who led the team to Euro 2020 glory, and Antonio Conte, who coached the side between 2014 and 2016. Both represent a known quantity and a potential return to a more traditional Italian tactical approach.
However, a more radical vision for renewal has also been suggested, looking outside the country's established coaching circles. Two high-profile names have been informally linked with the role. Didier Deschamps, who will leave his position as France manager after the 2026 World Cup, and Pep Guardiola, whose future at Manchester City beyond his current contract is not yet confirmed, have been cited as potential candidates according to the source material. This would represent a dramatic shift towards a foreign manager for the four-time world champions.
The federation now faces a fundamental choice between appointing a familiar figure to provide stability or seeking a transformative appointment from abroad to instigate a fresh philosophy. Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner as a player, took over the national team in late 2024. His tenure ultimately faltered on the critical failure to secure a place at the 2026 tournament, continuing a cycle of disappointment for Italy since their European Championship triumph, having also missed the 2022 World Cup. The next appointment will carry the heavy burden of restoring the pride and competitive standing of a football nation in crisis.
