Gattuso Set to Become Italy's New National Team Coach

Gennaro Gattuso, the former midfielder known for his contributions to AC Milan and a key player in Italy's 2006 World Cup victory, is reportedly on the verge of being appointed as the new head coach of the Italian national football team. According to sources from Sky Sport Italia, the official contract signing is expected to occur next week after a productive meeting with Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Gattuso is anticipated to sign a one-year contract, marking his debut as a national team coach. His recent coaching experience includes a stint with Croatian club Hajduk Split during the 2024/25 season, alongside previous roles at SSC Napoli and AC Milan.

The search for a successor to the recently dismissed Luciano Spalletti has faced challenges, particularly after 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri, the former AS Roma manager, declined the opportunity. Ranieri expressed that while it was a significant honor, he preferred to focus on his advisory role at AS Roma.

With another potential candidate, Stefano Pioli, now linked to Fiorentina, Gattuso has emerged as the frontrunner for the position. His coaching career has thus far yielded limited success, with a notable victory in the Italian Cup in 2020 with Napoli, while other ventures at clubs like Milan, Valencia, Olympique Marseille, and Hajduk Split did not achieve significant accolades.

Other names in the mix for the coaching role included former players Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi. However, prominent figures such as Carlo Ancelotti, currently the national coach of Brazil, Antonio Conte, and Massimiliano Allegri are bound by existing contracts, further narrowing the pool of candidates.

The Italian national team, a four-time World Cup champion, is under pressure as it faces the looming threat of missing a third consecutive World Cup tournament. Following a lackluster 2-0 qualifying match victory against Moldova, and a disappointing 3-0 defeat in Norway just days prior, the team's chances of securing top position in their qualifying group appear slim.