The Italian Football Federation announced Gennaro Gattuso as coach of the national team, succeeding Luciano Spalletti.
Spalletti was dismissed last week following the Azzurri’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Claudio Ranieri was Italy’s primary target to succeed Spalletti, but the legendary coach rejected the offer and decided to continue his work as an advisor to Roma.
Ultimately, after the intervention of Gianluigi Buffon, Gattuso was appointed coach of the Italian national team for one year, until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Gattuso has extensive international experience as a player, having played 73 times for Italy and being part of the historic 2006 World Cup-winning team.
As a coach, Gattuso has won only one title, the Coppa Italia, with Napoli. He has also had unsuccessful stints with Valencia, Marseille, and most recently Croatia.
Gattuso’s first task in his position will be next September, when Italy faces Estonia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
