Italian World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the Azzurri’s new team manager after Luciano Spalletti was sacked following a crushing 3-0 defeat to Norway.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced the appointment on Sunday, with the 47-year-old former AC Milan boss set to be formally presented at Rome’s Parco dei Principi hotel on Thursday.
Legend goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who now serves as one of the FIGC’s top officials, confirmed his ex-teammate’s appointment after Italy U21’s victory over Slovakia on Saturday, stating: “We have worked, we are now waiting for the final details.”
He added: “The president and the entire federation have had some pretty intense days, full of moments of all kinds.
Gennaro Gattuso recently left Croatian side Hajduk Split after a disappointing season
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The 47-year-old recently departed Croatian side Hajduk Split by mutual consent following a third-place finish in the country’s top division.
Gattuso also had spells at AC Milan, Marseille and Valencia, though his most recent stint in Croatia lasted just one season.
The FIGC had reportedly considered other Italian football figures including Claudio Ranieri, who turned down the opportunity, Stefano Pioli, Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi, before settling on Gattuso.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina expressed confidence in the appointment, declaring: “Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football the blue jersey is like a second skin for him.
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“His motivations, his professionalism and his experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the National Team.”
Buffon had earlier praised the selection process, acknowledging the federation’s thorough approach during what he described as “pretty intense days” before arriving at their final decision.
Gattuso’s immediate challenge will be steering Italy through crucial World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel during the September international break.
The looming matches mark his first fixtures in charge as football’s second most successful World Cup side attempt to avoid missing a third consecutive global tournament.
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Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, and are currently third in their qualification group, behind Isreal
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The Azzurri’s recent record remains inconsistent after defeating England in the 2020 European Championships, with a 3-0 defeat to Norway costing Spalletti his position highlighting ongoing concerns about consistency.
Italian fans will hope Gattuso can bring a bounce to the Azzurri as they look to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup some 20 years after Gattuso helped them claim their fourth title.
Former Italy boss Spalleti, who also coached Napoli, Inter Milan and Roma, announced his own sacking in a pre-match press conference before their recent 2-0 win over Moldova.
“Last night we were very together with president [Gabriele] Gravina,” Spalletti said.
“He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team.
“I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I’ll be there against Moldova, then we’ll resolve the contract.”
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