Who Will Replace Gattuso as Italy National Football Team Head Coach?

There is a lot of uncertainty over the future of the Italy football team head coach role after Gennaro Gattuso failed to help the country qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the Azzurri losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final qualifier playoff, there are growing questions around the Italy football team next manager because of an anticipation that Gattuso will be replaced very soon.

What Lies In Future For Gennaro Gattuso As Italy Head Coach?

Gennaro Gattuso was appointed as the Italy head coach in June, 2025 and given the task of guiding them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To his credit, the AC Milan legend was able to help Italy win the majority of their matches and make it onto the final qualifier playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, a shocking loss to Bosnia has sent shockwaves over the Italian football scene, as it means that the Italy football team have failed to qualify for the third successive FIFA World Cup edition.

Many changes are anticipated in the Italy football team structure. The president of the Italian football federation, Gabriele Gravina, has reportedly decided to resign from his role. Gianluigi Buffon, the head of the delegation for the Italy football team is also likely to leave his role and Gattuso is also being rumored to resign soon.

In October (2025), Gattuso had claimed that he would be leaving Italy if unable to help them qualify for the World Cup and now there is a big question mark on the Italy football team next manager.

Who Can Be Gennaro Gattuso Replacement in Italy Football Team?

Below, we look at some of the possible Gattuso Replacement options and those who can take up the Italy football team head coach role next.

1. Massimiliano Allegri

It's now being rumored that AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is a strong contender to become the next Italy football team head coach. Allegri has extensive experience of managing Italian players, having worked as a coach in the Italian football scene since 2003. He also helped Juventus win five straight Serie A titles from 2014-2019, as well as helping AC Milan win the Serie A in the 2010/11 season.

Allegri, however, is contracted to Milan until the end of June (2027) and he's currently helping them compete in the 2025/26 Serie A title race, meaning he'd have to resign from this role to take up the Italy football team head coach role.

2. Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini is another candidate to be the Gattuso Replacement, having extensive experience in managing the Italian side. Indeed, it was Mancini who helped them win the Euro 2020 title, with Italy winning 37 of 61 under him. Mancini has also impressed as the Inter Milan and Manchester City manager in the past, helping them both win league titles, and has over 25 years of coaching experience. The 67-year-old is currently coaching Qatar side Al-Sadd and will need to leave the club to become the Italy football team next manager.

3. Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte is also being linked to become the next Italy football team head coach. He's currently coaching Napoli, but Conte worked as the Italy head coach from 2014 to 2016. The 56-year-old is also contracted to Napoli until the end of June (2027), and he'll need to negotiate his exit from the club to go back to coaching the Italy national team.