Gennaro Gattuso, Italy’s head coach, has left the team after both parties agreed to split ways due to Italy’s inability to qualify for this year’s World Cup.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that the Azzurri were eliminated from the European playoffs and failed to qualify for the third time in a row after suffering a heartbreaking play-off loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where they were defeated 4-1 on penalties.
In an emotional response after the loss, Gattuso did not hide his disappointment, describing the outcome as “hard to digest” while taking responsibility for the team’s failure to meet expectations.
“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,” he said.
The former midfielder, who earned 73 caps and was part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, had only taken charge in June following the departure of Luciano Spalletti. Despite a promising start, winning six of his eight matches, his tenure ultimately ended in disappointment.
Reflecting on his time in charge, Gattuso emphasized the significance of representing the national team.
“The Azzurri jersey is the most precious asset in football, which is why it’s right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start,” he explained, suggesting that stepping aside was in the best interest of the team’s future.
“It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the jersey,” he added.
Gattuso’s exit coincides with the broader chaos that ensued after the nation failed to go through. in Italian football. Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon resigned from his position as leader of the delegation, while Gabriele Gravina has already resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation.
Four-time global champions Italy haven’t competed in the FIFA World Cup since 2014. The Azzurri now hold the record after missing Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and the forthcoming competition, making their most recent failure a historic collapse. No previous victor of the tournament has ever missed three consecutive editions.
Interestingly, they had a good stint in 2021 when they defeated England 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium and went on to lift the Euros. Since that historic victory, it has been all downhill for the Italian national team.
The 48-year-old Gattuso was a part of Italy’s World Cup-winning team in 2006, but the nation has not been able to duplicate that achievement in the biggest competition in sports.
Over the next two editions, Italy only managed one victory and was eliminated at the group stage each time. Antonio Conte, the manager of Napoli, and Massimiliano Allegri, the coach of AC Milan, are being considered as Gattuso’s replacement.
Conte, who took over as manager of Italy in 2014, guided them to Euro 2016, where they lost to Germany on penalties in the quarterfinals. Conte had already declared his intention to depart following the competition.
Italy’s next match is a friendly at Greece on June 7. at September, they will host Belgium to start their Nations League campaign.
