FIGC president backs Gattuso despite historic failure, calls for sweeping reform of Italian football
Italy’s nightmare is now official: three consecutive World Cups missed.
In the aftermath of the shocking playoff defeat to Bosnia, Gabriele Gravina addressed the media—defending the team, supporting Gennaro Gattuso, and postponing any decision about his own future.
“Resignation? That’s not for me alone to decide,” Gravina said. “The Federal Council will evaluate everything next week.”
No immediate resignation
Under heavy pressure following the elimination, Gravina acknowledged calls for him to step down—but made it clear that any decision will follow official procedures.
“There is a proper place for these discussions,” he said. “We’ve already scheduled a Federal Council meeting.”
While criticism continues to grow, Gravina signaled that he has no intention of making impulsive decisions.
Full backing for Gattuso
Despite the failure, the FIGC president offered strong support for the national team coach.
“I want to congratulate Gattuso—he’s been a great coach,” Gravina said. “I’ve asked him to stay.”
He also highlighted the unity within the squad and staff.
“There was real connection in the locker room. The players were heroic,” he added. “From a technical standpoint, this group must be protected.”
“A systemic crisis”
Gravina didn’t shy away from the bigger picture, describing the situation as a deep, structural crisis in Italian football.
“We are in a moment of great difficulty,” he admitted. “This requires a broader reflection—not just from the federation, but from the entire system.”
According to Gravina, responsibility cannot fall solely on the FIGC.
“The federation coordinates, but there are also leagues and clubs. We all need to rethink the system.”
A call for reform
Gravina went further, calling for concrete changes across Italian football—especially in areas like youth development and structural organization.
“The crisis is real,” he said. “We need to redesign Italian football.”
He also pointed out the differences between football and other sports in Italy, where centralized systems and state support often produce better results.
What happens next?
For now, the immediate future remains uncertain.
- A Federal Council meeting is scheduled
- Gattuso’s position appears stable—for the moment
- Pressure on leadership continues to mount
But one thing is clear:
Italy’s failure to qualify for another World Cup is no longer just a sporting issue—it’s a national football crisis.
