Italy and coach Gattuso mutually agree to part ways
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is pictured during the International friendly soccer match between Algeria and Uruguay at the Allianz Stadium. Edson Teodoro De Souza, Edson De/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Italy and coach Gennaro Gattuso have agreed to "mutually terminate" his contract after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third successive time, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said in a statement on Friday. "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," Gattuso was quoted in the statement.
"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. "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. " Gattuso was appointed as Luciano Spalletti's successor in June and won six of his eight games in charge.
He was part of the World Cup squad that won Italy's fourth world title in 2006. That was their last success in the tournament, in which they haven't participated since 2014. Italy missed out on a spot at this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico afer a 4-1 defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday's play-off.
On Thursday, Gabriele Gravina had already resigned as the head of FIGC, while goalkeeper legend Gianluigi Buffon stepped down as delegation head.