Gennaro Gattuso has been named the new head coach of the Italian national team, taking over from Luciano Spalletti with the goal of guiding the Azzurri to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The 47-year-old, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, earned 73 caps during his playing career.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed his appointment on Sunday and announced he will be officially presented to the media on Thursday.
“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football,” said FIGC president Gabriele Gravina.
Italy, four-time World Cup champions, have failed to qualify for the past two editions of the tournament.
Their 2026 qualifying campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 3–0 defeat to Norway last week. That result led to Spalletti’s dismissal.
Although Italy bounced back with a win over Moldova on Monday, it was not enough to save his job.
Gattuso brings considerable coaching experience, most recently leading Croatian side Hajduk Split to qualification for the upcoming UEFA Conference League.
His previous managerial stints include AC Milan — where he made 468 appearances as a player — as well as Napoli, Valencia, and Marseille.
He lifted the Coppa Italia with Napoli in the 2019–20 season, his only major trophy as a head coach so far.
However, his coaching career has also seen instability. His tenures at Valencia and Marseille were short-lived, lasting just 22 and 24 games respectively.
A planned move to Fiorentina in 2021 fell through just two weeks before he was set to take charge.
Former head coach Luciano Spalletti.
According to Italian media, former defenders Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci are expected to join Gattuso’s coaching team, while former national team coach Cesare Prandelli is set to take charge of Italy’s youth teams.
The FIGC had previously approached Claudio Ranieri and Stefano Pioli, both of whom declined the role before Gattuso was appointed.
Italy’s next qualifying fixtures are scheduled for September, with matches against Estonia and Israel in Group I.
