Italy and Gattuso 'mutually terminate' contract

Manager Gennaro Gattuso and Italy have agreed to "mutually terminate" his contract after their failure to qualify for a third successive World Cup.

Italy missed out on a spot at this summer's showpiece event when they were beaten 4-1 on penalties by Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tuesday's play-off.

Gattuso, who won 73 caps for the Azzurri during his playing career, was appointed as Luciano Spalletti's successor in June and won six of his eight games in charge.

An emotional Gattuso apologised for the defeat during his post-match news conference and admitted it was "hard to digest".

"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 said.

"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."

It follows the resignation of Gabriele Gravina as the head of Italy's football association (FIGC) on Thursday.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was working closely with the national side, also resigned as delegation head via Instagram., external

Italy are four-time World Cup champions but last featured at the tournament in 2014.

No previous winner of the tournament has missed three World Cups in a row, which Italy now have after missing out on Russia in 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Massimiliano Allegri: Touted by many to be the fans choice for the vacant role, Allegri has achieved considerable success in Italian football.

The AC Milan boss only returned for his second spell at the San Siro in May, so could take some convincing to give that up for the national team job.

After numerous roles in Italy's lower leagues, Allegri was appointed Milan boss in 2010, winning Serie A in his first full season.

He then enjoyed two spells as Juventus boss, winning five more Serie A titles, before returning to Milan last year.

Roberto Mancini: Could this be a chance for the return of the 61-year-old former manager?

Mancini led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, beating England in the final, and oversaw a record-breaking 37-match unbeaten run.

He resigned in August 2023, though, after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and subsequently had a short spell in charge of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Now in charge of Qatari side Al-Sadd, Mancini led Manchester City to their first Premier League title and has also had success with Lazio and Inter Milan.

Antonio Conte: The Italian is contracted to Napoli until 2027, but is another former national boss being linked with a return.

The 56-year-old took Italy to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals before quitting because he wanted to return to club football.

He has enjoyed immense success at club level, winning three straight Serie A titles with Juventus, a Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea and two more league crowns with Inter Milan and Napoli.

Fabio Cannavaro: Perhaps a wild card but what better way to attempt to restore a feel-good factor to Italian football than appoint a national legend.

He will lead Uzbekistan into their first World Cup in the summer but could he be tempted by a return after the summer?

Captain of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team, the former defender does not have a scintillating managerial pedigree.

Stefano Pioli: The former AC Milan and Fiorentina boss is currently out of work and would surely jump at a chance to manage the national team.

The 60-year-old has also managed Lazio and Inter Milan, but only has one Serie A title to his name - with AC Milan in 2022.