Gennaro Gattuso apologises to Italy after missing out on third straight World Cup

Italy, with four World Cup titles including their most recent in 2006, started strong in Zenica by scoring first. However, reduced to ten players, they were equalised by Bosnia, and then lost on penalties, eliminating Gattuso's team.

Having failed at the playoff round for the previous two tournaments, this latest exclusion will sting deeply for everyone connected to the sport in Italy.

"Today the boys didn't deserve a beating like this," Gattuso said to RAI, visibly emotional.

"We were left with 10 players, we had three decent chances and they barely troubled us. I'm sorry, this is football and I'm proud of my boys.

"It hurts, because we needed it for us, for all of Italy and for our movement. A blow that's difficult to digest."

Gattuso and the Italian squad were furious over a foul by Tarik Muharemovic near the penalty area that only earned a yellow card during extra time. Yet the coach avoided dwelling on the officials' calls.

"I don't want to talk about anything, but today it's unfair," he stated.

"I have been in the world of football for years, sometimes I have rejoiced and today I take a beating. It's hard to digest, they surprised me too for the heart they put into it.

"We're talking for the umpteenth time that we don't go to the World Cup. I apologise if I didn't make it, but the boys impressed me today."

'My future is not important'

Gattuso, who stepped in for Luciano Spalletti midway through qualifying following a loss to Norway, faced questions about what comes next for him.

"Today talking about my future is not important, it was important to go to the World Cup," he responded.

"We hold onto this performance, but it hurts and I'm sorry."

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina informed the media that he had urged Gattuso to continue in his role.

"The mood is quite evident, especially for how this result has matured," Gravina remarked.

"Allow me to congratulate the boys, in recent months they have had incredible growth, many of you have not been able to appreciate the climate and atmosphere in recent months.

"I want to congratulate Rino Gattuso. He is a great coach, I asked him to stay at the helm with these boys. There is little to comment, the coach called them heroic. Then, I understand there are several evaluations to be made."

Gravina himself faces intense scrutiny leading Italian football amid these ongoing disappointments.

"For the political part there is a place to make the evaluations, namely the Federal Council," he added.

"I have already decided to call them up for next week, there will be evaluations made internally.

"I understand the request for resignation given the situation, but there is a suitable place to make the evaluations."