(ANSA) – ROME, JUN 19 – Gennaro Gattuso promised to focus on action, not words, as its his presentation Italy’s new coach on Thursday.
Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked after Italy’s 3-0 defeat in Norway in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier, a result which puts them at risk of missing the tournament for the third consecutive time.
The Norway loss makes it difficult for Italy to finish first in the group to qualify directly and the Azzurri missed the last two World Cups after coming second in their group and then getting knocked out in the playoffs.
“Getting us back to the World Cup is fundamental for our football movement,” said Gattuso, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team.
“A difficult job awaits me, but nothing in life is easy.
“I often hear it said that our football movement has no talents: but the players are there, we need to put them in the conditions to give their best”.
The 47-year-old said being put in charge of the national team was “a dream come true.
“There is little to talk about and so much to work on,” he said.
The choice of Gattuso was something of surprise.
He previously had stints in charge of many teams, including AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia, but his career as a coach has not been hugely successful so far.
He won the 2019-20 Italian Cup with Napoli.
Gattuso stressed that his qualities as a coach are very different from those he had as a player.
“I have heard many things about me over the years. Everyone thinks of me as the footballer who was all heart and determination,” he said.
“But I believe that, as a coach, I have gotten my teams to play good football.
“Today I wouldn’t field a Gattuso who caused chaos on the pitch.
“I see football differently as a coach”. (ANSA).
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Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked after Italy’s 3-0 defeat in Norway in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier, a result which puts them at risk of missing the tournament for the third consecutive time.
The Norway loss makes it difficult for Italy to finish first in the group to qualify directly and the Azzurri missed the last two World Cups after coming second in their group and then getting knocked out in the playoffs.
“Getting us back to the World Cup is fundamental for our football movement,” said Gattuso, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team.
“A difficult job awaits me, but nothing in life is easy.
“I often hear it said that our football movement has no talents: but the players are there, we need to put them in the conditions to give their best”.
The 47-year-old said being put in charge of the national team was “a dream come true.
“There is little to talk about and so much to work on,” he said.
The choice of Gattuso was something of surprise.
He previously had stints in charge of many teams, including AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia, but his career as a coach has not been hugely successful so far.
He won the 2019-20 Italian Cup with Napoli.
Gattuso stressed that his qualities as a coach are very different from those he had as a player.
“I have heard many things about me over the years. Everyone thinks of me as the footballer who was all heart and determination,” he said.
“But I believe that, as a coach, I have gotten my teams to play good football.
“Today I wouldn’t field a Gattuso who caused chaos on the pitch.
“I see football differently as a coach”. (ANSA).
Read article…
