When Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as Italy manager, it left the national team searching for answers once again. For a country with four World Cup titles and one of the richest football histories in the world, missing out on another tournament has become almost unthinkable, yet it has now happened three times in a row.

Italy’s latest qualification failure proved to be the final straw, bringing an end to Gattuso’s short stint in charge and putting even more pressure on the federation to get the next appointment right. Now, with the job open, attention is quickly turning to the leading candidates who could take over and try to get the Italy national football team back where it feels like it belongs.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed major changes for the Italian national football team. Following Italy’s failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup, the federation confirmed that Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach. But he is not the only major figure leaving.

Gianluigi Buffon has also resigned from his role as head of delegation, while FIGC president Gabriele Gravina is stepping down as well.

Who Are the Front Runners to Get the Job?

With Gennaro Gattuso gone, Italy’s next move could define the national team for years. Stefano Pioli feels like the most straightforward option. He has been around Serie A for a long time, understands the pressure that comes with managing in Italy and has experience handling big personalities. Italy probably does not need a dramatic rebuild right now as much as it needs someone steady who can calm things down and get the team moving in the right direction again.

Massimiliano Allegri would be a very different appointment. He has built his reputation on structure, defensive discipline and getting results even when his teams are not playing great football. That style might not excite supporters, but after three failed World Cup qualification campaigns, Italy may care more about efficiency than entertainment.

Roberto Mancini is also difficult to ignore. He is still the last manager to bring Italy a major trophy, and there would be something symbolic about giving him another chance to fix the mess. His first spell ended badly, but he already knows the national team setup, understands the expectations and has shown he can succeed on the international stage. No matter who gets the job, the next manager will be under huge pressure from day one.

Related: 2026 FIFA World Cup Ticket Prices: Why the Latest Sales Phase Is Causing Backlash

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.