"With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time on the national team bench to be over."
Thus, with a statement released by the Italian Football Federation, Rino Gattuso made his farewell official following the defeat in Bosnia and the failure to qualify for the World Cup .
The contract that tied the Corigliano Calabro coach to the Italy bench has been terminated by mutual consent.
"The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why it's right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start," said the now former coach. "I would like to thank President Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon, along with all the Federation's staff, for the trust and support they've always shown me," Gattuso emphasized. "It's been an honor to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the shirt. But the greatest thanks go to the fans, to all Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team over these months. Always with the Azzurri in my heart ."
The news comes after the announcement of the resignations of federal president Gabriele Gravina and delegation leader Gigi Buffon : in the space of two days, therefore, all the Azzurri leaders have been eliminated.
And it is Gravina himself who today thanks Gattuso «because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a precious contribution, managing to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in just a few months . He has transmitted to the players and to the whole country a great pride in the blue shirt».
(Unioneonline/D)