ROME — Traditionally, the role of Italy’s national soccer team coach was reserved for someone with a track record of significant managerial accomplishments, often someone nearing the twilight of their career. However, Gennaro Gattuso represents a shift in this paradigm.
In what can be described as challenging times for Italian soccer, the nation, known for its four World Cup victories, is under the looming threat of missing out on a spot in the tournament for the third consecutive time. The Italian Football Federation decided to make a change after a disappointing start to the qualifiers, which saw Italy suffer a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Norway, resulting in the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. With Claudio Ranieri declining the vacant position, the federation turned to Gattuso, a key player from Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
Gattuso, at 47 years old, is expected to instill a sense of combativeness and tenacity in a team perceived to be more committed to their club duties than national pride. Despite only one trophy in his 12-year coaching career—a Coppa Italia victory with Napoli—Gattuso is known for his straightforward and unfiltered methodology, often employed at clubs facing dire circumstances.
It’s unlikely that Gattuso would have handled Francesco Acerbi’s rejection of an Italy call-up for the Norway match as leniently as Spalletti did. Gattuso’s uncompromising nature first came to the fore during his tenure at financially troubled Crete in 2014. Unhappy with media portrayal, he famously lashed out during a press conference stating, “I didn’t come here for a holiday. One year here is 10 years in another club. And this is good for me,” before initially resigning and then quickly overturning his decision.
Moving on to Pisa, he was involved in a heated encounter with Roberto De Zerbi of Foggia, leading to near fisticuffs following a bottle-throwing incident that struck Gattuso during a playoff match. His disciplinary approach was recently displayed at Hajduk Split in Croatia when he sidelined star player Ivan Perisic.
Gattuso’s confrontational playing style was evident on the international stage as well. During a 2000 clash against England, where he netted his only international goal, he confronted David Beckham over alleged simulation, famously quipping, “This is not a swimming pool.”
Although details of his contract weren’t fully disclosed, reports suggest Gattuso signed a one-year deal valued at approximately 800,000 euros (just under $1 million), with a potential 1-million-euro bonus should Italy secure a World Cup berth.
Backed by veterans from the 2006 squad, Gattuso won’t shoulder the task alone. The team manager role remains with former goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon. His former AC Milan captain, Leonardo Bonucci, is set to assist him, and Andrea Barzagli may soon lead Italy’s under-20 or under-21 teams. Cesare Prandelli, who guided Italy to a runner-up finish in the 2012 European Championship, is reportedly poised to spearhead the development of emerging talent within the federation.
Gattuso’s tenure at the helm of Italy will commence with a fixture against Estonia in September, marking a new era for the storied national team.