Reports state that Gattuso's decision came amid heavy pressure from fans after the team's performance failed to meet goals, especially in the qualifiers where the four-time world champions fell below standards.
On 3 April 2026, prior to this, Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, and Gianluigi Buffon, head of the national team delegation, had already submitted their resignations to take responsibility for the senior team's disappointing results.
This situation has led to a major overhaul in the management structure of Italy's national team, with the federation expected to swiftly appoint a new head coach to prepare for important upcoming competitions.
Missing out on the 2026 World Cup spot marks a significant lesson for Italian football, highlighting the urgent need to rebuild and improve across all areas to reclaim global prominence in the future.