Next Italy head coach: Top candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso after World Cup qualifying failure

Next Italy head coach: Top candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso after World Cup qualifying failure originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . For the third time in the last 12 years, the Italian national team is reeling from a World Cup qualifying failure.

The Azzurri have missed out on a spot at a third straight FIFA World Cup , as the four-time champions contemplate their future. Unsurprisingly, head coach Gennaro Gattuso who oversaw the most recent disaster — a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw — has departed his post in the immediate aftermath of the defeat. Also seeing his way out is Italian federation president Gabriele Gravina who resigned on Thursday to end his eight-year spell in charge of the FIGC.

With Italy now searching for their next head coach to lead them into Euro 2028 and beyond, with an eye on finally returning to the World Cup in 2030, The Sporting News takes a look at who will take over the famed national team. MORE: Italy's timeline of missed World Cups over the last 12 years Next Italy coach candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso Here are five candidates who could be in contention to take over the Italy job, with the Azzurri likely to wait for the right candidate to appear before pulling the trigger on their next boss. Stefano Pioli The most logical candidate to take over the Italy job is former AC Milan and Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli.

Currently without a post after being let go by Fiorentina in November, the 60-year-old has managed some of the top clubs in Serie A as well as a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr. It's a wonder that Pioli has not managed Italy yet, having been in charge of Lazio, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and many other Italian sides. The biggest problem for Italy with Pioli is that most of his recent gigs have ended in failure.