Gennaro Gattuso This Friday, April 3, he presented his resignation as coach of Italy after failing to qualify for the Azzurra for the 2026 World Cup, after the president of the Federation, Gabriele Gravinaand the head of delegation, Gianluigi Buffon.
“With pain in my heart, having not achieved the goal we had set for ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” he lamented. Gennaro Gattuso through a statement from the Italian Football Federation.
The Calabrian coach asserted that “the Azzurra shirt is the most precious asset that exists in football. Therefore, it is fair to facilitate future technical evaluations from now on,” he added.
“It has been an honor to be able to lead the national team and to do so, furthermore, with a group of boys who have shown commitment and attachment to the shirt. But the greatest gratitude goes to the fans, to all the Italians who in these months never stopped giving their love and support to the national team. Always with blue in their hearts,” he stressed.
And he thanked the federation for the “trust and support” that they have “always” guaranteed him.
The Italian Football Federation and Gennaro Gattuso They thus resolve by mutual agreement the contract that linked the coach to the bench of the Italian soccer team.
In the note, Gabriele Gravina took the opportunity to “once again thank Gattuso because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a valuable contribution, managing to regain enthusiasm around the national team in a few months.” “He has transmitted to the footballers and the entire country a great pride in the blue shirt,” he concluded.
Gennaro Gattusowho took office in June 2025 with the aim of qualifying Italy for the 2026 World Cup, terminates the contract – which ended on June 30 – after the recent defeat in the World Cup playoff final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which left the Italian team out of its third consecutive World Cup.
The former coach leaves with a record of six wins and two losses in eight games.
Gennaro Gattuso he submitted his resignation after the president did so Gabriele Gravinahis main supporter, who resigned on Thursday after a media earthquake and strong criticism of his management. “The current feeling is one of great bitterness”he declared to the media at the exit of a meeting at the Italian Football Federationadding that it was a “convinced and thoughtful” decision.
Subsequently, the resignation of the national team’s head of delegation, the historic goalkeeper, was announced. Gianluigi Buffonwho justified his departure as “an act of responsibility.”
“Un honor aver potuto guidare la Nazionale”
Official communication ⤵️https://t.co/GfkKzQnQv3
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) April 3, 2026