Gennaro Gattuso Steps Down as Head Coach of the Italian National Team

Gennaro Gattuso, the well-known Italian coach, has made the decision to leave his role as head coach of the Italian national team after the team's loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final for the 2026 World Cup qualification. This news emerged just a few days after the match, as discussions regarding the financial aspects of his resignation were ongoing, according to the sports publication Goal, referencing Corriere della Sera.

According to reports, Gattuso insisted that his assistants receive all due payments prior to the official announcement of his dismissal. He even declined his severance compensation, which was stipulated in his contract, showcasing his commitment to the team and its staff.

This move is not unprecedented for Gattuso. Media outlets have referred to his actions as a sort of 'Gattuso curse,' as this is not the first time he has left a team without receiving financial compensation. For instance, in 2019, he departed from AC Milan, foregoing his payment so that the club could pay his coaching staff's salaries. Similar situations have occurred during his tenures at OFI, Pisa, and Hajduk, where he also left without financial claims.

It is important to recall that the Italian national team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout during the playoff final for the 2026 World Cup qualification. This defeat marks the third consecutive failure for the Azzurri, who have been unable to qualify for the World Cup. The last time the Italian team participated in the World Cup was in 2014, when they failed to advance past the group stage under the management of Cesare Prandelli. Since then, Italy has not appeared in the World Cup playoffs, raising serious concerns among fans and experts alike.

The Italian national team has won the FIFA World Cup four times — in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. Only Brazil's national team has more titles, with five victories. Notably, players from the Italian national team had demanded a bonus of 300,000 euros for qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation within the team.

Previously, Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation, announced his resignation, indicating deep-rooted issues within the management structure of football in the country. Following this failure, legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also announced his resignation from the position of team delegation leader, marking another blow to the squad.

According to media reports, the Italian national team has set a unique negative record by failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin expressed his views on the reasons behind Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, pointing to problems that require urgent resolution.

Among the potential candidates for the new head coach of the Italian national team are Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, who currently lead Napoli and AC Milan, respectively. Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta also shared his thoughts on the main issues facing Italian football that have arisen following the shocking failure of the national team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.