Italy and Gattuso 'mutually terminate' contract

Image caption,

Gennaro Gattuso won the World Cup when playing for Italy in 2006

Manager Gennaro Gattuso and Italy have agreed to "mutually terminate" his contract after their failure to qualify for a third successive World Cup.

Italy missed out on a spot at this summer's showpiece event when they were beaten 4-1 on penalties by Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tuesday's play-off.

Gattuso, who won 73 caps for the Azzurri during his playing career, was appointed as Luciano Spalletti's successor in June and won six of his eight games in charge.

An emotional Gattuso apologised for the defeat during his post-match news conference and admitted it was "hard to digest".

"With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time as coach of the national team to be over," Gattuso said.

"The Azzurri jersey is the most precious asset in football, which is why it's right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start.

"It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the jersey."

It follows the resignation of Gabriele Gravina as the head of Italy's football association (FIGC) on Thursday.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was working closely with the national side, also resigned as delegation head via Instagram., external

Italy are four-time World Cup champions but last featured at the tournament in 2014.

No previous winner of the tournament has missed three World Cups in a row, which Italy now have after missing out on Russia in 2018 and Qatar 2022.