Italy have parted company with their head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, the country\u2019s football federation (FIGC) said on Friday, after the national team\u2019s failure to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Italy lost Tuesday\u2019s playoff final against Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a> on penalties in Zenica and the four-time champions have now missed out on three consecutive World Cups.<\/p>\n Gattuso\u2019s departure came a day after the FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina resigned<\/a>, with the national team delegation head, Gianluigi Buffon, also stepping down from his role.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national team to be over,\u201d Gattuso said in a statement. \u201cThe Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why it is right to facilitate future technical assessments with immediate effect.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of lads who have shown commitment and loyalty to the shirt.\u201c<\/p>\n Gattuso was appointed last June on a one-year contract<\/a>, replacing Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked following Italy\u2019s 3-0 defeat by Norway<\/a> in their opening group game, although he remained in place for the 2-0 win over Moldova<\/a> the next day.<\/p>\n Italy won their next five group games under Gattuso but, given Norway\u2019s far superior goal difference, they were resigned to another World Cup playoff before the final group game, which Norway won 4-1 at San Siro<\/a>.<\/p>\n