Gennaro Gattuso Steps Down As Italy Coach After World Cup Qualification Failure

Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach of the Italy national football team following the team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Italy’s hopes were dashed after a 4–1 penalty shootout defeat to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in a decisive play-off on Tuesday.

Gattuso, who took charge in June after succeeding Luciano Spalletti, recorded six wins in eight matches during his brief tenure. Despite that run, the World Cup setback proved decisive.

Reacting to the loss, Gattuso expressed disappointment and apologised to supporters, describing the outcome as painful and accepting responsibility for the team’s failure to meet expectations. He added that stepping aside would allow for a fresh technical direction.

The development comes amid broader changes in Italian football, with Gabriele Gravina resigning as president of the Italian Football Federation, while former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down from his role as head of delegation.

Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, last featured at the tournament in 2014 and has now missed three consecutive editions, an unprecedented slump for one of football’s most successful national teams.