Italy once again failed to qualify for the World Cup, and Gennaro Gattuso has now stepped down as head coach.

The Azzurri lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, after a 1-1 draw in Zenica.

It means Italy's wait to return to the biggest stage of international football will roll on until at least 2030.

The four-time world champions last played at a World Cup in 2014.

And Gattuso, who was only appointed last June as Luciano Spalletti's replacement, has now parted ways with the national team.

"With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time as coach of the national team to be over," said Gattuso, who won six of his eight matches as Italy coach.

"The Azzurri jersey is the most precious asset in football, which is why it's right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start.

"It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the jersey."

Reports suggested Italy's chiefs wanted Gattuso to take charge of two more games, with the Azzurri set to play a pair of friendlies in June.

Gattuso's departure follows the resignations of Italian Football Federation (FIGC) chief Gabriele Gravina and Italy's head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon.