The Italian Football Federation has sacked manager Gian Piero Ventura after the 1-0 aggregate defeat by Sweden in the World Cup play-offs meant the national team failed to qualify for the finals for the first time in 60 years.
They announced in a statement on Wednesday night that the 69-year-old’s 16-month reign was over.
“At the meeting convened by the chairman, Carlo Tavecchio, which was attended by the presidents of the federal members a discussion was had following the failure of the national team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“As a first point on the agenda, Tavecchio communicated a decision of the technical guidance committee, and to date, Gian Piero Ventura is no longer the national team head coach,” the statement read.
Ventura said after the Sweden match: “I apologise for the result but not for the effort and hard work. I do realise the result is the most important thing.”
A decision is yet to be taken on who will succeed Ventura.
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