The turmoil at the top of Italian football continues unabated after yet another disappointing World Cup campaign. Gianluigi Buffon stepped down shortly after federal president Gabriele Gravina, and Gennaro Gattuso subsequently agreed to a mutual termination of his contract as head coach the following day.
According to La Repubblica, Gattuso’s brief tenure, which lasted a mere eight games, was set to expire in July. An option for extension and a €1 million bonus were contingent on World Cup qualification, a target he failed to meet.
Notably, Gattuso offered no excuses or alibis for the team’s performance, even though potential justifications existed, such as questionable refereeing decisions in Bosnia and a perceived lack of support from Serie A over recent years.
Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte have swiftly emerged as prominent candidates for the vacant position. Despite previous rumors suggesting they would remain with their current clubs, both coaches reportedly face unresolved issues and lack long-term commitments. Simone Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini are also in the running. Inzaghi’s recent stint in Saudi Arabia has reportedly been challenging, while Mancini has openly expressed a desire to return to the national team setup for some time.
However, the widespread speculation might be premature given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding who will ultimately make the key decisions within the federation. The planned appointment of a new head in late June creates a peculiar dynamic for the hiring process, as clubs typically finalize their coaching staff much earlier in the season. It’s also possible that certain coaching candidates could align themselves with specific presidential hopefuls. The Federation itself appears to lack the necessary leverage to attract high-profile coaches currently under contract with top clubs, suggesting any move would likely need to originate directly from the coaches themselves.
Despite the abrupt conclusion of his term, the Azzurri squad had reportedly responded positively to Gattuso’s coaching style and strong temperament. Among the potential candidates, Antonio Conte is often seen as the individual who best combines similar grit with a more accomplished resume and greater tactical acumen.
