Giovanni Trapattoni was under pressure to quit as coach today following Italy's 2-1 loss to Wales in their Euro 2004 qualifier in Cardiff.
Last night's defeat comes four days after their dismal 1-1 draw at home to Yugoslavia in Naples and leaves their qualification for Portugal in doubt.
Wales now top Group 9 with six points from two matches, two more than third-placed Italy who have played a game more.
"Goodbye Trap" was the headline in the Corriere dello Sport. "Qualification for the European championships looks a long way off now. The coach's fate has been settled despite his protests," it said.
Tuttosportalso insisted the manager's destiny was sealed. "Wales close the door on the Trap era," it reported. "The coach has fallen further into the storm with qualification far from certain. Once again his midfield and defence stand accused," it said.
La Gazzetta dello Sportdescribed the game as a "Welsh lesson" and questioned Trapattoni's substitutions. "In a white-hot atmosphere the Italians suffered. They rose, then collapsed following some strange substitutions".
Before the Cardiff match, the Italian press were calling for Trapattoni to stand down after a shock second round defeat to South Korea at this summer's World Cup.
AFP