Report: Gattuso to leave Milan after failing to reach Champions League

Gennaro Gattuso's inability to get AC Milan into the Champions League has reportedly cost him his job at the San Siro.

After a meeting with CEO Ivan Gazidis, the former midfielder has decided to relinquish his role as Rossoneri manager, according to Fabrizio Romano of Sky Sport Italia. Confirmation of his departure is expected Tuesday, with sporting director Leonardo likely joining Gattuso through the exit doors.

The report comes roughly 24 hours after Milan narrowly missed out on the Champions League; Gattuso's side finished fifth in Serie A, one point adrift of city rivals Inter after manic action on the final day of the season.

The fiery bench boss, 41, has held the role since November 2017, when he replaced Vincenzo Montella.

Though he brought his trademark passion to the touchline, his tactics and in-game management often left much to be desired. Despite being given every chance to secure a top-four spot by faltering competitors all around him in the table, Gattuso's failure to guide Milan to a lucrative Champions League berth was the final straw in a tenure fraught with problems.

The Italian club, whose seven European Cup titles are second only to Real Madrid (13), hasn't featured in Europe's premier competition since 2014.

The likes of Eusebio Di Francesco, Marco Giampaolo, and Leonardo Jardim have all been tipped as potential replacements, and will likely be judged by the same metric that ultimately proved to be Gattuso's undoing.