three candidates emerge to replace Gattuso as head coach of Italy national teamGennaro Gattuso is widely expected to leave his position as head coach of the Italy national team following his failure to guide the Nazionale to the 2026 World Cup, and according to the latest updates, there are three main candidates to replace him. Gattuso and his players fell short in the World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night. The 10-man Azzurri lost on penalties away in Zenica, which means that they have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cup tournaments.
ZENICA, bosnia AND HERZEGOVINA - MARCH 31: Players of Italy show their dejection of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (. According to reports from Sky Sport Italia and others, there are three early options to replace Gattuso as head coach.
The ‘dream’ option for many Azzurri supporters would be Massimiliano Allegri, who is less than a year into his two-year deal with milan, which also includes an option to extend for a further 12 months BOLOGNA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 03: Massimiliano Allegri head coach of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (.
There have also been reports of a potential return to the italy set-up for Antonio Conte, who previously held the position between 2014 and 2016. NAPLES, ITALY - MARCH 14: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (.
Another former Italy CT who could potentially return to the role is Roberto Mancini, whois currently under contract with Al-Sadd in 2027. Reports from Sky indicate that he would ‘gladly’ return to the position. AL RAYYAN, QATAR - JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
(. There have also been suggestions of Simone Inzaghi and Stefano Pioli, who are currently considered outsiders for the candidates emerge to replace gattuso as head coach of Italy national team Three candidates emerge to replace Gattuso as head coach of Italy national teamGennaro Gattuso is widely expected to leave his position as head coach of the Italy national team following his failure to guide the Nazionale to the 2026 World Cup, and according to the latest updates, there are three main candidates to replace him. Gattuso and his players fell short in the World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night.
The 10-man Azzurri lost on penalties away in zenica, which means that they have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cup tournaments. ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - MARCH 31: Players of Italy show their dejection of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (.
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia and others, there are three early options to replace Gattuso as head coach The ‘dream’ option for many Azzurri supporters would be Massimiliano Allegri, who is less than a year into his two-year deal with milan, which also includes an option to extend for a further 12 months BOLOGNA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 03: Massimiliano Allegri head coach of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy.
(. There have also been reports of a potential return to the italy set-up for Antonio Conte, who previously held the position between 2014 and 2016. NAPLES, ITALY - MARCH 14: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy.
(. Another former Italy CT who could potentially return to the role is Roberto Mancini, whois currently under contract with Al-Sadd in 2027. Reports from Sky indicate that he would ‘gladly’ return to the position.
AL rayyan, QATAR - JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (. There have also been suggestions of Simone Inzaghi and Stefano Pioli, who are currently considered outsiders for the role.
