Gattuso Silent on Future After Italy Miss Third Straight World Cup

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso refused to discuss his future after Gli Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the focus should remain on the national team rather than speculation over his position.

Italy were knocked out in the European qualifying playoffs after losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica early on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The defeat marked another bitter setback for the four-time world champions, who were forced to play with 10 men for much of the match.

“I'm not interested at all in talking about my future today,” Gattuso said, as quoted by ESPN.

"It hurts, it really hurts. More than hurting me, it hurts to see this group which has really given everything in these months and I think we deserved to get back what we put in and I honestly think it's too reductive and too immature to be talking about my future today."

The 48-year-old said his players had given everything in recent months and deserved a better outcome. He added that the main issue was not his own future, but the disappointment of seeing Italy miss out again.

“Here we should be talking about Italy, about the national team shirt, that it's yet another blow even though this time we didn't deserve it,” he said.

Although Gattuso declined to confirm whether he would remain in charge, the Italian Football Federation has signaled its desire to keep him. Federation president Gabriele Gravina publicly backed the former midfielder and said he hoped Gattuso would continue as head coach.

Gravina’s own position, however, is also under growing scrutiny. He has called a federation board meeting next week to assess the latest failure. Since taking charge in 2018, Gravina has overseen three unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Italy’s elimination means they will miss the World Cup finals for a third consecutive tournament, following previous failures to qualify in 2018 and 2022. The Azzurri, who have won the World Cup four times, are now the first former champions to miss three straight editions of the tournament.

In the previous two qualifying campaigns, Italy were eliminated in the playoff stage by Sweden and North Macedonia. A series of coaching changes has also failed to reverse the decline. Gattuso was appointed in June last year to replace Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed after Euro 2024.

Before Spalletti, Roberto Mancini led Italy to the Euro 2020 title before resigning, while Gian Piero Ventura was sacked after the team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Gattuso is under contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup, with an automatic extension through 2028 if Italy had qualified. But after the latest playoff collapse, his future is now in doubt.

Read: Bosnia Coach Hails Team's Grit After Ending Italy's World Cup Dream

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Bosnia Coach Hails Team's Grit After Ending Italy's World Cup Dream

1 jam lalu

Italy Miss Out on World Cup, Buffon to Remain Until June

5 jam lalu

UNIFIL's Largest Troop-Contributing Countries

20 jam lalu

Italy Rejects US Use of Sicily Base for Middle East Missions

22 jam lalu

2026 World Cup European Qualifiers: Playoff Schedule

6 hari lalu

Indonesia Denies Aircraft Carrier Grant Linked to Arms Buy

29 hari lalu

Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

42 hari lalu

Navy's New Italian Warship Starts Voyage to Indonesia

45 hari lalu

Indonesia to Acquire Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier from Italy Grant, Says Ministry Official

46 hari lalu

Masked Gang Blows Up Armored Cash Van in Italy

49 hari lalu