Milan. Gennaro Gattuso has left his role as Italy coach by mutual consent, the Italian soccer federation said Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

The federation announced the decision in a statement, thanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” shown during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s hopes of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

“With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” Gattuso said.

Gattuso’s departure came a day after federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned, along with Gianluigi Buffon, who had served as the national team’s delegation chief.

The defeat to Bosnia compounded a troubling run for four-time champion Italy, which was also eliminated in the playoffs for the previous two World Cups by Sweden and North Macedonia.

Gattuso replaced the fired Luciano Spalletti in June, inheriting a squad already in crisis following a loss to Norway in its opening qualifier.

Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when defending champion Italy was eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.

“I would like to thank Gattuso once again,” Gravina said. “In addition to being a special person, as a coach he made a valuable contribution, managing to restore enthusiasm to the national team in just a few months.

“He instilled great pride in the national team jersey among the players and across the country.”

Under Gattuso, Italy went on a six-match winning streak before another loss to Norway in November left it second in its group and back in the playoffs.

Gattuso had signed a contract through the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic extension to 2028 if Italy had qualified.

“The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in soccer, which is why it is right to immediately facilitate decisions regarding the future coaching staff,” Gattuso said.

“It was an honor to lead the national team, especially with a group of players who showed commitment and attachment to the shirt. My greatest thanks go to the fans and all Italians who have continued to show their love and support in recent months.”

Among those linked with the job are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Mancini led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup before leaving to coach Saudi Arabia’s national team. He stepped down in October 2024 and now coaches Al-Sadd in Qatar.

Inzaghi guided Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and currently manages Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Conte, who coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship, is now at Napoli.

Allegri is currently in charge of AC Milan.

Italy is scheduled to play two friendlies in June but is unlikely to appoint a new coach before then, with the election for a new federation president set for June 22.

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