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

The head coach of the Italian national team, Gennaro Gattuso, has officially declared his decision to step down from his role. This news was confirmed through a statement from the Italian Football Federation, which stated that Gattuso's contract was terminated by mutual consent.

"With a heavy heart, having not achieved the set goals, I consider my journey on the coaching bench of the national team to be over. The Azzurri jersey is the most valuable thing in football, so it is right to create conditions for further technical decisions now," Gattuso remarked in his statement. He also expressed gratitude to the president of the Federation, Gabriele Gravina, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and all the staff of the organization for their trust and support.

Gattuso emphasized that it was an honor for him to lead the national team and work with players who demonstrated dedication and love for football. "But the biggest thanks goes to the fans, all Italians, who never lacked their love and support during these months. Always with the Azzurri in my heart," he added.

The reason for Gattuso's resignation was the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after a shocking defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final. This debacle marked the third consecutive time that the Italians have missed out on the World Cup, provoking outrage among fans and experts alike.

Previously, Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation, also announced his resignation, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in Italian football. Following the disappointing performance, the legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down from his position as the head of the national team's delegation.

It is worth noting that the last time the Italian national team participated in the World Cup was in 2014, when under the management of Cesare Prandelli, the team failed to advance past the group stage. Since then, Italy has not appeared in the World Cup, which has been a significant blow to the football culture of the country, renowned for its traditions and achievements.

The Italian national team has won the World Cup four times: in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. Only the Brazilian national team has more titles, with five. Recently, it was reported that Italy has set a unique negative record by missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also commented on the situation, pointing out those responsible for Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Media reports indicate that Gattuso will leave the team, and candidates for his replacement are already being considered. The two main contenders for the position of the new head coach of the Italian national team are Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, who currently manage Napoli and Milan, respectively.