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UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Multiple outlets are reporting that Gennaro Gattuso will step down from his position as head coach of the Italy national team and that Gianluigi Buffon will also depart following the failure to reach the World Cup for the third tournament cycle in a row.
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Gattuso and Buffon to step down from Italy roles
Italy missed out on a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing second in their qualification group and then losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off final on Tuesday evening.
The Azzurri have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014 and have not won a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France in the final in 2006.
Gattuso was called in to replace Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team after two games of qualification for the 2026 World Cup last summer.
According to reports from various outlets in Italy, including Sky Sport Italia, La Gazzetta dello Sport and others, Gattuso is now expected to step down from his position as CT in the imminent future.
Buffon, who has been working with the national team set-up since August 2023, and had a large say in the decision to appoint Gattuso, is also expected to leave his position as delegation chief.
According to the initial reports, there are two clear first-choice favourites for the Italy national team head coach, however, both are currently under contract with Serie A clubs. Those managers are Antonio Conte, who has already had a stint in charge of the Nazionale, and Massimiliano Allegri, who is less than a year into his second stint in charge of Milan.
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
