Gian Piero Ventura has been fired as coach of Italy's national team after it failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Italy faced Sweden in a two-legged World Cup qualification playoff and ultimately fell short of expectations, losing 1-0 on aggregate thanks to the first-leg defeat in Solna.
The four-time world champions will miss the tournament for the first time since 1958.
Ventura, 69, was under pressure even before the 0-0 draw Monday at San Siro confirmed its absence from Russia next year, with failure effectively ending his tenure.
He took charge in July 2016, succeeding Antonio Conte, and guided Italy to second place behind Spain in its World Cup qualification group.
Italy coasted through their qualification group, accumulating 23 points from 10 matches and finishing 10 points clear of third-place Albania.
But the comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Spain in September highlighted a significant gulf between Italy and one of the favorites for the World Cup, with that loss and a 1-1 draw in Macedonia ultimately decisive in the end.
Ventura's tactics often attracted scrutiny as well, as he opted to chop and change things on a regular basis in qualifying, while player choice became a hot topic toward the end.
The coach's hesitancy to pick Brazil-born Jorginho rankled many, while Daniele De Rossi raged in the 0-0 draw with Sweden when asked to warm up instead of Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne as qualification slipped from their grasp.
Ventura in August signed a new deal until 2020, a move that has seen the Italian Football Federation and its president Carlo Tavecchio face significant criticism.
Reports suggest Carlo Ancelotti is an early favorite to step in following his dismissal by Bayern Munich in September.
