Gennaro Gattuso steps down as Italy manager

Genarro Gattuso has resigned as the Italy national team manager after failing to qualify the Azzurri for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer.

Gattuso couldn’t qualify Italy for this year’s tournament, after being denied by a resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 4-1 penalty shootout in the World Cup European playoff final on Tuesday, March 31 2026, in Zenica.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Bosnia advancing after winning the penalty shootout. The defeat marked Italy’s third (2018, 2024, 2026) consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The Italian national team, following playoff losses to Sweden (2022) and North Macedonia (2024), and now, to the “The Golden Lilies” of Bosnia, have creating an unwanted record as the first World Cup-winning nation to miss three straight tournaments.

As such, the 48-year-old former AC Milan and Azzurri midfielder has decided to stay away from the national team.

The decision follows the resignation of other prominent figures in charge of the national team, such as the Head of Delegation, Juventus legend and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.

Gennaro Gattuso failed to qualify Italy to the 2026 World Cup (Image: Getty Images)

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Italian national team is in the hunt for a new president and a new coach after the wholesale departure of the handlers of the disappointed leadership, who couldn’t secure the 2026 World Cup.

🚨🇮🇹 OFFICIAL: Italian Federation confirm three big changes following miss out on their third World Cup in a row.

👔 Head coach Gennaro Gattuso leaves.
👔 Head of Delegation Gianluigi Buffon resigns.
👔 FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resigns.

Up next: new president, new coach. pic.twitter.com/h0aEWNZfFf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2026