Gennaro Gattuso has claimed young Italian players are not being given enough minutes in the Serie A following his appointment as the national team manager.
What Did Gennaro Gattuso Say About Young Players In Serie A?
Following Luciano Spalletti’s departure, Gennaro Gattuso was handed the role of the Italian national team manager and continues his career in the world of coaching.
During his playing career, Gattuso made 73 appearances for Italy, scoring one goal and started in every game at the 2006 World Cup where Italy clinched the biggest prize in soccer.
After retiring in 2013, Gattuso began his career in management and has been the leading man at some major clubs, most notable taking the management job at AC Milan (2017-2019), Napoli (2019-2021), Valencia (2022-2023) and Marseille (2023-2024).
The Italian was known for his tenacity in midfield, cementing this style of player ever since his debut in 1995 at just 17-years-old and Gattuso spoke about young Italian players not getting a chance in the Serie A.
Gattuso said: “This year, Serie A has had 68% foreign players; this number should make us think. We need to give young players a chance. Missing two editions of the World Cup in a row isn’t easy to swallow. That’s why we must rediscover enthusiasm; fear leads nowhere.”
The FIGC President revealed why Gattuso was picked to become the next manager of Italy, highlighting the Italian’s enthusiasm and selflessness as key qualities.
In his opening presser as manager, the former AC Milan star spoke about his aims for the team and believes there is elite level talent within the squad.
Gattuso said: “There’s work to be done. Meeting players, talking to them, getting into their heads. I’ve been hearing for years that there’s no talent, but I believe the players are there. We need to put them in the right conditions to perform at their best. The goal is to go back to the World Cup. It’s fundamental for us and Italian football.
“We need to rediscover enthusiasm and stop thinking negatively. When players come to Coverciano, they should do so with excitement.
“Creating a family is the most important thing. Beyond tactics and technique, we need to rebuild that group spirit that has defined us for so many years.”
Who Are The Best Prospects In Italy?
As Gattuso mentioned, there is a lack of young Italian talent coming through the ranks in Serie A, however, there are still some exciting prospects in Italy.
One man that could be breaking into the Serie A next season is AC Milan star, Francesco Camarda, who spent the 2024/25 season with the clubs ‘reserve’ side – but was in Milan’s squad on 10 occasions.
At 15 years and 260 days, the Italian became the youngest player in Serie A history after making his debut in November 2023 and has represented Italy at U15, U16, U17, and U19 level.
AC Milan will probably add some star names to their squad this summer, as they are huge outsiders to win the league on Serie A betting sites and this could make Camarda’s chances of getting minutes slimmer.
Another player that could break into the senior national side over the next few years is Hellas Verona player, Alphadjo Cisse, who is just 18-years-old.
Other young players that are slightly more established are Nicolo Rovella, Giorgio Scalvini and Nicolo Fagioli, who are all on the right path to become regulars for the national side.
