Today, Gennaro Rino Gattuso left the position of coach of the Italian football team by mutual agreement, after the Italians became the first former world champions who failed to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row. On Tuesday, Italy was defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final after a penalty shootout.
“With a heavy heart, after we failed to achieve the goal we set for ourselves, I consider that my time on the bench of the national team is over. The Azzurra jersey is the most valuable asset in football, which is why it is right to allow future professional evaluations to begin immediately,” according to a statement by Gattuso published by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), ANSA agency reports.
Gattuso thanked FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon and all employees of the Federation for their trust and support.
“It was an honor to lead the national team and to do so with a group of players who showed dedication and loyalty to the jersey. The greatest gratitude goes to the fans, to all Italians who have not stopped showing love and support to the national team during these months. Always with the Azzurri in my heart,” said Gattuso.
FIGC confirmed that the contract that tied the coach to the bench of the national team was terminated by agreement.
Gattuso’s departure followed the resignations of Gravina and former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Buffon, who, like Gattuso, was the hero of the 2006 World Cup victory. Gravina stated that, despite the final failure, Gattuso managed to rekindle the enthusiasm around the national team.
”I want to thank Gattuso once again because, apart from being a special person, he made a significant contribution as a coach, managing to revive the national team again in just a few months,” said the outgoing FIGC president.
Gattuso succeeded Luciano Spalletti last June, who was sacked following Italy’s 3-0 defeat by Norway in the first leg of their 2026 World Cup qualifier. The federation turned to Gattuso, a member of the 2006 champions generation, after their first choice Claudio Ranieri decided to stay at Roma in an executive role.
The choice of Gattuso was somewhat of a surprise. The 47-year-old coach managed numerous clubs, including Milan, Napoli and Valencia, but his coaching career has not been particularly successful so far. He won the biggest trophy with Napoli, when he won the Italian Cup in 2020.
On Tuesday night, the former midfielder could barely hold back tears as he apologized to the nation after his side lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in Zenica in the World Cup play-off final, meaning the Azzurri will miss out on a third consecutive World Cup.
However, Gattuso came to the defense of his players, who were manned for most of the game after defender Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card just before half-time for a foul as the last man in the defence.
“I’m sorry, but this is unfair. These guys didn’t deserve this blow given the determination and dedication they showed. We struggled because we played with ten. That’s football, but I’m proud of my boys. They did their best and I am proud of them. This is a big blow on a personal level, it will take time to get over it,” he said to RAI television.
The four-time world champions did not even qualify for the championships in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. As this time, they finished second in the qualifying group – behind Norway, led by Erling Haaland – and were then eliminated in the play-off by Sweden, i.e. North Macedonia.
In the game in Zenica, Italy took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to a goal by striker Moise Kean. After the sending off of Bastogne, the home team exerted strong pressure, although Italy had three good chances to take a 2-0 lead before Haris Tabakovic equalized for Bosnia and Herzegovina and sent the match into extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Esmir Bajraktarević scored the decisive penalty for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 4:1 victory, after Italian players Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante failed to shoot from the penalty spot.
