Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC), resigned on Thursday after Italy did not qualify for the World Cup for a 3rd consecutive time. The choice adopted Italy’s penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina within the World Cup play-off last final Tuesday.
The loss ended Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 match in North America and intensified requires sweeping reforms within the nation’s soccer construction. Gravina’s exit is predicted to set off a broader overhaul inside the federation and the nationwide group setup.
Italy’s Sports activities Minister Andrea Abodi publicly known as for brand spanking new management, saying Italian soccer wants a whole reset. He confused that the rebuilding course of should start on the prime, following repeated failures in World Cup qualification below Gravina’s tenure.
Gravina, who took cost in 2018 after the resignation of Carlo Tavecchio, oversaw Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020 however struggled to ship in World Cup campaigns. The Azzurri have now did not qualify for the 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions, with playoff defeats to Sweden, North Macedonia and Bosnia including to their woes.
Italy’s struggles, nonetheless, stretch additional again. The four-time champions did not progress past the group stage within the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, with their final title coming in 2006 after a penalty shootout win over France.
Gravina additionally serves as a vp of UEFA and first deputy to Aleksander Ceferin. Whereas UEFA guidelines require government members to carry roles inside nationwide associations, he may stay in his place briefly till the FIGC appoints new management. Ceferin described Gravina as an vital determine and voiced assist after the playoff defeat.
The fallout is predicted to increase to the dugout, with Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso more likely to step down. Gattuso, who changed Luciano Spalletti in June, oversaw a quick revival with a six-match profitable run however in the end did not safe direct qualification.
Names resembling Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri are already being mentioned as potential replacements.
An election to nominate a brand new FIGC president has been scheduled for June 22. Gravina has additionally confirmed he’ll attend a parliamentary listening to subsequent week to deal with the state of Italian soccer, because the Azzurri enter a vital part of rebuilding forward of future worldwide competitions.
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