Gian Piero Ventura has been sacked from his position as the manager of the Italian national team, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
News of the change of leadership came via Sky Sports News:
Ventura leaves the Italy side at their lowest ebb for 60 years, as the team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; it'll be the first time since 1958 the Azzurri won't be involved in football's biggest international tournament.
In a two-legged play-off against Sweden they were beaten 1-0 over the course of two legs. As noted by Sport Witness, the country's leading sports daily reacted angrily with the following front page:
After the loss it was reported that Ventura had departed, although those suggestions turned out to be incorrect initially.