2006 World Cup Champion and former Milan and Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new coach for the Italian national team. The former midfielder will replace Luciano Spalletti after the latter was sacked following a 3-0 defeat to Norway in a World Cup qualifier.
“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football,” Gabriele Gravina, the FIGC president, said in a statement, “the blue jersey is like a second skin for him. His motivations, his professionalism and his experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the National Team.
“Aware of the importance of the objective we want to achieve, I thank him for the availability and total dedication with which he has received this challenge, sharing the FIGC project for the overall development of our football, in which the blue jersey plays a strategic central role.”
Spalletti’s time in charge of the Azzuri lasted just under two years, overseeing a 2-0 win over Moldova a day after learning that he would be out following the 3-0 loss to Norway in Oslo.
Gattuso led Napoli to a Coppa Italia victory in 2020. His job will be to get Italy to the next World Cup, the four-time world champions having failed to qualify for the last two competitions. He has been given a one-year contract, according to The Guardian, which will last until the tournament in 2026 in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Image: David Ruddell
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