Italy faces an immediate leadership crisis after a shock play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina that eliminated the four-time world champions from a third consecutive World Cup. FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and delegation head Gianluigi Buffon have resigned, and Gennaro Gattuso is expected to follow, triggering an urgent search for a new coach ahead of June friendlies and a presidential election on June 22.
Italy plunged into crisis after World Cup play-off defeat
Gennaro Gattuso is expected to step down as Italy head coach after a dramatic play-off loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina that ended in a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat. The result confirms Italy will miss a third straight FIFA World Cup — a stunning fall for a nation that has lifted the trophy four times.
Match summary: penalties the final undoing
Italy failed to find the goals that would have avoided the lottery of penalties and were beaten 4-1 from the spot. The defeat was decisive and blunt: a single game ended hopes of returning to the World Cup, exposing both tactical frailties and a lack of finishing in a side that has struggled to rebuild since its recent highs.
Immediate fallout: resignations and institutional shock
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina resigned following the elimination, and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon — serving as head of delegation — also stepped down, calling his departure an act of responsibility. Gravina had earlier urged patience with the coaching staff, but the result and national reaction produced a rapid change of course.
Gattuso’s likely exit and short-term continuity
Reports indicate Gattuso will take a few days to decide but is expected to leave his post. There is a possibility he remains for scheduled June friendlies to allow a smoother transition, but the prevailing mood within the federation points toward a clean break and an accelerated search for a successor.
Who could replace Gattuso: frontrunners and wider implications
Names circulating as potential replacements include former Italy managers Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, with other high-profile coaches also mentioned in the Italian press. Mancini’s prior success — notably the Euro 2020 triumph and a long unbeaten run — makes him an obvious option; Conte’s earlier tenure and experience with top clubs likewise place him among leading candidates.
Why the choice matters
The incoming president of the FIGC, to be elected on June 22, will shape the selection. That makes the presidential contest as consequential as the coaching decision: a new administration could opt for continuity, a high-profile return, or a younger project focused on youth development. The appointment will determine Italy’s strategy for regeneration ahead of the next qualification cycle.
Structural warning signs: stadiums, infrastructure and UEFA pressure
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin warned that Italy could jeopardize its co-hosting role for Euro 2032 if infrastructure issues are not addressed. That public admonition compounds the on-field failure and underlines that Italy’s crisis is not purely sporting: governance, facilities and long-term planning are now in the spotlight.
What this means and what to expect next
This is a reset moment. Expect an expedited FIGC presidential election on June 22, rapid discussions about interim coaching arrangements for June friendlies, and a public search for a manager who can marry short-term stability with a clear pathway for youth integration. For the national team, the priority will be re-establishing identity and clarifying selection and playing philosophy before qualifying campaigns resume.
Final take
Italy’s elimination exposes systemic vulnerabilities that simple personnel changes alone will not fix.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the federation opts for a high-profile quick fix or a deeper rebuild.
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Either way, the next appointments — at president and coach — must address both performance and infrastructure to stop this decline becoming a longer-term decline.
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