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Italy’s World Cup Heartbreak Sparks Crisis in Football Leadership

ROME — The latest failure of Italy’s national football team to qualify for the World Cup has ignited a political and sporting firestorm, with the Italian sports minister demanding the head of the national football federation resign.

The crushing penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff stage was yet another humiliation for Azzurri, following previous exits at the hands of Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. The recurring disappointments have left the football landscape in turmoil, prompting calls for sweeping reforms.

Minister Demands Resignation, Federation Faces Reckoning

Sports Minister Andrea Abodi made the bold declaration, insisting that Italian football must undergo a complete restructuring—starting with a leadership overhaul at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

The federation’s beleaguered president, who survived a similar crisis in 2022, indicated he would take time to reflect before deciding on his future. His comments suggest a potential leadership contest, though he emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation before any decisions are made.

"Many factors must be assessed before we can discuss the future," he stated, leaving the door open for change—or continuity.

Gattuso’s Future Hangs in the Balance

National team coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract extends through the 2026 World Cup with an automatic extension if Italy qualifies, has remained silent on his future. He dismissed speculation about his position, calling any discussion "premature" and "too immature" at this stage.

Despite the uncertainty, the federation president publicly reaffirmed his support for Gattuso, urging him to stay on and guide the team through the rebuilding process.

Italian Club Football in Freefall

The national team’s struggles mirror broader declines in Italian club football. The last Champions League title won by an Italian side was Inter Milan in 2010, and this season, all four Serie A clubs were eliminated before the quarter-finals—a first in decades.

The stark decline has drawn criticism from former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who warned that Italy’s repeated World Cup failures reflect deeper systemic issues. "This isn’t just about football—it’s about identity," Renzi stated, highlighting how the sport’s struggles resonate far beyond the pitch.

As the debate rages on, one question remains unanswered: Can Italian football reclaim its former glory, or is a new era of mediocrity on the horizon?

[Reporting contributed by the Associated Press]