Now the national team manager Gennaro Gattuso has done his part at the helm
Three straight World Cups without Italy. That is clear after Bosnia and Herzegovina created a sensation and knocked out the azure in the countries’ mutual playoff final.
It was also the last thing Gennaro Gattuso did as national team manager, according to Sky. The TV channel reports that the legend is retiring from the assignment after only eight games. Also the federation top and goalkeeper legend Gianluigi Buffon is expected to say goodbye.
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Gattuso took over the Italian national team in the summer of 2025, succeeding Luciano Spalletti in the position. Spalletti was fired after Italy lost 3-0 to Norway in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is said to have two main candidates to take over the national team, and they are Antonio Conte (Napoli) and Massimiliano Allegri (AC Milan). However, both are under contract, and it is far from a given that the clubs will let go of their coaches.
Conte was the Italian national team manager from 2014 to 2016.
According to Schira, former national team manager Roberto Mancini, now at Qatari Al-Sadd, has signaled that he is available.
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Italy: Gattuso will no longer be national team manager – Conte and Allegri are the names that could replace him
The blue bench
After the playoff match against Bosnia, Gattuso will no longer be Italy’s national team manager. Buffon, who has been head of the delegation since 2023, will also say goodbye. But who will be the new national team manager to start over after yet another disappointment for the blue team? As of today, regardless of who becomes the new federal president, there are two names that stand out: Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.
Tears, pain, but also pride. Over having given everything for the blue team. A one-year contract with an option for another two years in the event of World Cup qualification. But the qualification did not materialize. Whatever form the farewell takes, Gattuso will no longer be the national team manager. Because it is right that way after the result in Bosnia, and because Rino has always worked towards goals. Just as he consistently said goodbye to Milan due to disagreements and left two years of his contract on the table in the summer of 2019, he will also say goodbye this time. Quietly and calmly. Without creating problems, without raising polemics. So will Gigi Buffon. The former goalkeeper, who has been Italy’s head of delegation since August 5, 2023, had chosen Gattuso. Together, they will leave the Football Association.
Conte and Allegri under contract with Napoli and Milan respectively, but…
To understand who will be the new national team manager, one must of course wait for the name of the person who will choose him. The names of Gattuso’s successor are currently two, who stand out regardless of who takes over from Gabriele Gravina: Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri. Both are top names. However, both are under contract: the former with Napoli, the latter with Milan. It is not a given that either De Laurentiis (who, on the contrary, wants to continue with him, or even extend) or perhaps even Cardinale will not let their respective coaches go so easily. But neither of the two coaches will obviously close the door on the blue team, with a genuine, long-term rebuilding project. Conte has already been to Coverciano. That was during Tavecchio’s time. For Allegri, who is from Livorno in Tuscany, it would be the completion of the circle after a career full of successes. The future has already begun. It is urgent to get things in place, and above all, you have to avoid new mistakes.
