Gennaro Gattuso, the newly appointed coach of Italy's national soccer team, has pledged to inject fresh enthusiasm and foster a strong sense of unity within the squad. His primary objective is to secure Italy's qualification for the upcoming World Cup, a tournament the Azzurri have failed to reach in the last two attempts.
Gattuso's appointment follows the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Norway in a World Cup qualifier. Spalletti's departure came shortly after a 2-0 victory against Moldova, which turned out to be his final match in charge.
"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," Gattuso said. He recently left Croatian club Hajduk Split after a third-placed finish.
Known as 'Ringhio' (Growler) for his relentless and tenacious style on the field, the 47-year-old Gattuso brings a wealth of experience to the role. He earned 73 caps for the Italian national team and played a pivotal role in their 2006 World Cup triumph. Fans are optimistic that his strong character and leadership will guide the four-time world champions back to the World Cup.
Italy currently sits third in World Cup qualifying Group I. Gattuso's first match as coach will be at home against Estonia on September 5, followed by a match against Israel three days later. "My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family," said Gattuso. Reports indicate he has been given a one-year contract by the Italian soccer federation (FIGC).
Gattuso enjoyed a successful playing career at AC Milan, where he won two Champions League titles and two Serie A titles. He later coached the club from 2017 to 2019. As a manager, he secured the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020. "The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging" to the Azzurri team, Gattuso told reporters. He believes the players are feeling the pressure of missing out on the last two World Cups, which is negatively impacting their performance.
Gattuso is determined to instill a different mentality within the team to avoid another World Cup absence. He recognizes the challenges ahead but is confident in the potential of the current squad. "I need to get inside the players' heads. I hear often that we don't have the talent or good enough players anymore. But I think we have the players. We just need to put the players in condition to succeed. We need to get Italy back to the World Cup. That's fundamental.”
Italy is currently nine points behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group, though they have played two fewer matches. Only the group winner automatically qualifies for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The runner-up will enter a playoff bracket next March. Italy has struggled in recent years, failing to advance past the group stage at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and missing out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments altogether.
Gattuso's appointment has been met with enthusiasm from the Italian soccer federation. "He responded without any hesitation to our call and with the same enthusiasm as when he was called up as a player to the national team," said Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina.
