The Azzurri’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third year in a row continues to shock Italian football.
Published April 3, 2026
Italy national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has resigned from his position “by mutual consent”, three days after his national team missed out on a third consecutive World Cup.
The Italian Football Federation announced the news in a statement on Friday, thanking Gattuso for his “dedication and passion” during his nine-month tenure.
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Italy lost in a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoffs on Tuesday, ending their chances of competing in this year’s North American tournament.
Coach Gattuso said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I have not achieved the goals I set for myself, but I believe that my time leading the national team is over.”
“The Azzurri kit is the most valuable asset in football, which is why it is right to facilitate the evaluation of its future skills with immediate effect.
“It was an honor to lead the national team and alongside a group of young men who showed dedication and loyalty to the uniform.”
Gattuso was appointed on a one-year contract in June to replace Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked after Italy lost 3-0 to Norway in the opening group stage game, but stayed on for the next day’s 2-0 win over Moldova.
Italy won their next five group games under Gattuso, but Norway had a much higher goal difference and they were denied a chance to re-enter the World Cup play-offs before the final group game, with Norway winning 4-1 at San Siro.
Italy had lost to Sweden and North Macedonia in the play-off stages of the previous two World Cups, but with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the semi-finals, they had hopes of advancing this time, but everything collapsed against Bosnia.
Gattuso’s 10-man team squandered a 1-0 lead and collapsed in the penalty shootout.
His resignation came a day after Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with national team captain Gianluigi Buffon.
