Former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has taken the helm as Italy’s national soccer coach after the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. Gattuso’s mission is to rejuvenate Italy’s World Cup qualification chances after a tough opening loss to Norway, where they fell 3-0.
Gattuso, a World Cup champion in 2006, embodies the spirit of Italian soccer. Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina stated, “Gattuso is a symbol of Italian soccer; the blue shirt feels like a second skin for him. His dedication and expertise are vital for the upcoming challenges we face.”
Gravina further expressed gratitude for Gattuso’s willingness to accept this pivotal role.
Initially, Claudio Ranieri was the preferred choice for the position but he opted out of the offer. Gattuso’s coaching career includes prior tenures at Hajduk Split and AC Milan, where he enjoyed notable success, including winning league titles and Champions League trophies.
Italy currently finds itself nine points off the pace of Norway in the qualifying round, having played two fewer matches than the leader. Gattuso’s first match is set for September 5 against Estonia, with a crucial encounter against Norway scheduled for November 16. The stakes are high as only the group winners will secure direct entry into the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
