Italy Searches for New Coach After Gattuso Exit

Gennaro Gattuso resigns

Italy's football federation to announce new president on June 22, who'll pick the national team coach. Allegri and Conte lead the pack.

Italy's football future hangs in the balance as FIGC searches for new leadership and a coach to revive the national team...

Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as Italy's national team coach after failing to qualify for the World Cup, following a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In an official statement released on Friday, Gattuso expressed his disappointment, saying, “With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time as coach of the national team to be over.”

Gattuso's departure comes after Italy's third consecutive World Cup failure, sparking concerns about the country's footballing future. The former head coach took charge of Italy in June 2025, replacing Luciano Spalletti, but couldn't replicate the team's past successes. Gattuso added, “The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why it is right to facilitate future technical assessments with immediate effect.”

“It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of lads who have shown commitment and loyalty to the shirt.”

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) expressed gratitude to Gattuso for his contributions to the national team.

"An honour to coach the National team"

Official statement ⤵️https://t.co/dT9S6k8RGt

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) April 3, 2026

“The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Gennaro Ivan Gattuso have ⁠mutually terminated the contract that bound the Calabrian ‌coach to the helm of the Italian national football team,” the FIGC said in a statement.

“The FIGC thanks Gattuso and his entire staff for the professionalism, dedication and passion with which they have worked over the past nine months and wishes them every success in their future careers.”

Italy is reeling from a perfect storm of sporting failure and leadership collapse. The pressure mounted after their World Cup qualification loss, and in a span of hours, the entire management structure around the national team crumbled. Gabriele Gravina stepped down as FIGC president, followed by Gianluigi Buffon's departure as head of delegation, leaving a trail of disappointment and uncertainty.

Gattuso's position became unsustainable after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament. The technical project aimed to revive Italy's spirit, identity, and competitiveness, but ultimately fell short of its primary objective.

Rebuilding Italian Football: The Search for a New Head Coach

Italy faces a critical juncture as they seek a new head coach following Gennaro Gattuso's departure after missing three consecutive World Cup qualifications. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) must now choose a leader to revive the national team's credibility and success.

Top contenders for the position include Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, and Massimiliano Allegri, with other options like Stefano Pioli and Simone Inzaghi also being considered.

The FIGC is set to announce a new president on or after June 22, who'll then pick Italy's next coach. Top contenders include Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte, both known for their experience and ability to turn teams around.

Silvio Baldini, the current Under-21 coach, is being considered for interim charge of Italy's national team, at least for the summer friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. This is while the new federation leadership sets a definitive direction. Italy is now in a period of complete transition: without a president, without a head of delegation, and without a head coach, the rebuilding process starts from scratch.