The Italian national team is in complete disarray. A play-off defeat at the hands of Sweden meant they failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958, ending a run of 14 consecutive trips to the game's biggest tournament.
Finding this wholly unacceptable, the Italian Football Federation—known as the FIGC—sacked coach Gian Piero Ventura, while president Carlo Tavecchio eventually resigned. That leaves the Azzurri without a manager or even somebody to appoint a new one, yet there are plenty of reasons for optimism.
As four-time winners of the World Cup, there is little doubt Italy will bounce back strongly.