Silvio Baldini takes command of Italy in June matches.

A deep crisis in Italy: Under-21 coach takes charge of the senior national team for crucial June matches

The “squadra azzurra” is experiencing one of the most turbulent moments in its recent history. Following a resounding failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that Silvio Baldini, coach of the Under-21 team, will lead the senior national team in friendly matches scheduled for June 3 and 7, against Luxembourg and Greece, respectively. These matches, to be held at the Luxembourg Stadium and the Pankritio Stadium in Crete, come at a time of transition and uncertainty for Italian football.

Baldini, 67, will have the task of guiding the team during a rebuilding phase, with the full support of his coaching staff, while the federation searches for a permanent replacement for Gennaro Gattuso. The former midfielder, who took over the role in June 2025, succeeding Luciano Spalletti, failed to achieve the main objective: to return Italy to the World Cup, a competition from which it has been absent since 2014.

The setback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European play-offs marked the low point of this era. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra time, Italy succumbed 4-1 in the penalty shootout, sealing a third consecutive failure to qualify for a World Cup final tournament.

This disaster had immediate and profound consequences for the structure of Italian football. Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC since October 2018, announced his resignation following the humiliating elimination. Gravina, who was also vice-president of UEFA and a close associate of president Aleksander Ceferin, leaves behind an ambivalent legacy: the historic victory at Euro 2020, but also two consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cups in 2022 and 2026, as well as an early exit from Euro 2024.

The crisis did not stop there. Gianluigi Buffon, legendary goalkeeper and general director of the national team, also stepped down, unable to bear Italy’s absence from the tournament that will take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The future of Italian football is at stake. With Baldini at the helm for these two particular challenges, the FIGC is trying to appease a disillusioned nation and seek new directions for the “squadra azzurra.” The pressure is intense and the demands are high for Italy to once again dream of the world stages where it has previously reigned. The nation expects quick and effective responses – and time to act is running short.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.