Italy’s Coach Gennaro Gatusso sacked!
Italy did not qualify for the World Cup 2026!
Rome, Apr 3 (EFE).-
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy’s national team coach on Friday after failing to qualify the Azzurri for the 2026 World Cup, a decision that follows the resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.
“With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” Gattuso said in a statement released by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
The Calabrian coach added that “the blue shirt is the most special one that exists in football and for that reason I need to leave it in the hands of a new technical team going into the future.”
He thanked president Gravina and Buffon and all those at the federation “for the faith and support they have always given me.”
“It was an honour to lead the national team and I did it with a group of lads who always showed fight and devotion to the shirt. The biggest thank you goes to the fans and to all the Italians who never stopped supporting us, even in these last few months.”
The FIGC confirmed that both parties mutually agreed to terminate the contract linking the coach to the national team.
In the same statement, Gravina thanked Gattuso, describing him as “a special person” who made “a valuable contribution” and helped restore enthusiasm around the national team in a short period.
Gattuso, who took charge in June 2025 with the objective of qualifying Italy for the 2026 World Cup, stepped down after the recent playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which left Italy out of a third consecutive World Cup.
The former coach leaves with a record of six wins and two losses in eight matches.
Gattuso’s resignation came a day after Gravina, his main supporter, stepped down following intense criticism and media pressure over Italy’s failure to qualify.
“The current sentiment is one of great bitterness,” Gravina told reporters after a FIGC meeting, describing his decision as “well thought-out and convinced.”
Shortly afterward, the resignation of delegation chief and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was also announced. Buffon described his departure as “an act of responsibility.” EFE
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