Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy’s national football team, taking over from Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed following a disappointing 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Norway.
Although Spalletti ended his tenure with a 2-0 win against Moldova, the damage had been done, prompting the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to make a change.
Speaking at his unveiling in Rome on Thursday, Gattuso promised to restore belief and unity in the Azzurri camp. “It’s a dream come true, and I certainly hope to be up to the task. I know the job won’t be easy, but nothing in life is easy,” said the 47-year-old, who recently stepped down from Croatian club Hajduk Split after guiding them to a third-place league finish.
Known for his fiery personality and combative playing style, the former midfielder—nicknamed ‘Ringhio’ (Growler)—earned 73 caps for Italy and played a crucial role in their 2006 World Cup triumph.
With Italy currently sitting third in Group I of World Cup qualifiers, Gattuso is aiming to guide the team back to the tournament after their back-to-back failures to qualify. The next fixtures are scheduled against Estonia on September 5 and Israel on September 8.
“My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family,” Gattuso said, adding that building unity was as important as tactical improvements. According to a source within the FIGC, he has signed a one-year contract.
A club legend at AC Milan—where he won two Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies—Gattuso later managed the team and led Napoli to Coppa Italia success in 2020.
During his press conference at a luxury hotel in central Rome, he emphasized the importance of reconnecting the players with the national cause. “The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging” to the Azzurri team, he said.
Gattuso acknowledged the mental toll of past failures on the current squad: “We must be good at reacting, only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation,” he urged.
With a tough road ahead and high expectations from fans, Gattuso’s challenge is not just tactical but emotional—reigniting the passion that once defined the Italian national team.
