Gennaro Gattuso has been officially unveiled as Italy’s new head coach during a press conference on Thursday.
Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti who left the role after two years in charge. His last game came against Moldova in a 2-0 World Cup Qualifying win on June 9.
Now, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has explained why Gattuso was the right man for the job. He emphasized the fact that Gattuso is primed to restore the glory days to the national side.
Gennaro Gattuso will officially be presented as the First Team Head Coach at 11:00 CEST 🇮🇹☑️
Watch it here ➡️ https://t.co/hos1wXeTFL#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/yeYgtyvZjV
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 19, 2025
Why Italy Hired Gennaro Gattuso
Last week, we reported that Gennaro Gattuso was the leading contender for the Italy job. Now, the 2006 World Cup winner can enter Rome like a gladiatorial hero who is ready to resurrect the Azzurri’s fortunes.
“Gattuso is the new head coach of the national team. He has the qualities, the determination and above all the desire to achieve something great for the Azzurri and our country,” Gabriele Gravina confirmed via TMW.
“The National Team needs him. Gattuso answered the Azzurri’s call without hesitation. He responded with the same enthusiasm he showed when he was called up as a player.
“I wouldn’t make the mistake of reducing his commitment to mere enthusiasm. There’s much more to it. A great spirit of sacrifice, tremendous professionalism and an extraordinary level of preparation. What struck me from the very beginning was his willingness to put ‘us’ ahead of ‘I’.”
“He immediately wanted to send very clear messages, overflowing with enthusiasm. He told me right away that nobody wins alone,” Gravina continued.
“We win together, we go to the World Cup together. I believe this is the most beautiful message. Those who love the National Team today must take a step forward and try to support this project for the good of the Azzurri, for our sport and the good of football.”
What Clubs Has Gennaro Gattuso Managed?
In total, Gennaro Gattuso has managed a total of ten different teams at club level. The former Italy and Milan star started his coaching career in Switzerland with Sion in February 2013.
However, his first taste of management only lasted three months before he was sacked. Next up were Palermo. It was almost a case of deja vu as Gattuso was dismissed three months into his tenure.
In the summer of 2014, Gattuso agreed to become the head coach of Greek Superleague side OFI Crete. Once again, he left his role shortly after being appointed to return to Italy.
Gattuso took the Pisa job and had two spells at Arena Garibaldi. They were between 2015-2017. He resigned before rejoining then quit again indefinitely.
From 2017 onwards, Gattuso began to hone his managerial skills. He became the head coach of former club Milan, before going to Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Marseille and most recently Hadjuk Split.
The only major honor of his career came during his time in Naples when he won the 2019-20 Coppa Italia.
Italy’s World Cup Qualifying Fixtures
The safest online betting apps still consider Italy as one of the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite their shaky start to qualifying.
In June’s opener, the Azzurri were brushed aside 3-0 by Norway in Oslo. They got their campaign up-and-running after beating lowly Moldova 2-0 on home soil.
Gennaro Gattuso’s first competitive game in charge will come against Estonia in September before taking on Israel. He’ll then face the same opposition again during October’s international break.
In November, Gattuso will lead his troops into battle against Moldova before the vital home clash against current group leaders Norway.
