FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Gennaro Gattuso is no longer the coach of the Italian national team. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) officially confirmed his departure through a press release this Friday, following the elimination of the "Azzurri" in the play-off phase of the World Cup.
The defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina proved decisive for the 48-year-old coach's fate. Immediately after the match in Zenica, doubts began to arise about his future, while Gattuso himself decided to terminate his contract with the federation.
This development comes at a turbulent time for Italian football, as the FIGC was also hit by the resignations of president Gabriele Gravina and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon.
With Gattuso's departure, the race for the national team's bench opens. The names currently being discussed are Roberto Mancini, Massimiliano Allegri, Simone Inzaghi and Antonio Conte. The final decision is expected to be made after June 22, when the Federation's Electoral Assembly will take place.
Meanwhile, as a temporary solution, the management of the team can be entrusted to Baldini, currently the coach of the U-21 national team.
In his farewell statement, Gattuso stressed that the decision came with regret for not achieving the objectives:
" With a heavy heart, seeing that we did not achieve the set objective, I consider my experience on the bench of the National Team to be closed. The Blue Shirt is the most precious asset that exists in football, for this reason it is right to immediately facilitate the work for the upcoming technical evaluations. I would like to thank President Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon and all the collaborators of the Federation for the trust and support that they have always guaranteed me. It was an honor to lead the National Team and to do so with a group of boys who showed commitment and a close connection to the shirt. But the greatest thanks go to the fans, to all the Italians who have not stopped showing their support and love for the National Team in these months ."
Former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina also thanked Gattuso for his contribution:
" I want to thank Gattuso once again, because besides being a special person, as a coach he has made a valuable contribution by managing to restore enthusiasm for the national team in just a few months. He conveyed to the players and the entire country a great pride for the blue jersey ."
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