Various sources confirm that Gattuso was appointed on June 15, 2025, after Luciano Spalletti was let go. The FIGC made the announcement, with president Gabriele Gravina saying, “Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football. The blue shirt feels like a second skin to him. He has always shown a lot of passion for the national team, and we believe he will bring that same energy to his coaching role.” Gattuso is scheduled to be officially introduced on June 19, 2025, at the Parco dei Principi Hotel in Rome. Specific details about his contract, like its length or salary, haven’t been shared in the available sources, but it’s clear that an agreement was reached after discussions.
Gattuso’s first challenge is to tackle Italy’s rough start in the qualifiers, with important matches against Estonia and Israel coming up in September 2025. Known for using 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations, Gattuso is expected to combine Italy’s traditional strong defense with modern attacking strategies. He will be working with former teammates like Buffon (who will be the head of delegation) and possibly Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Perrotta, which could help build team unity. Cesare Prandelli is likely to oversee the youth teams, providing support for a wider development.
Gennaro Gattuso, born on January 9, 1978, is a 47-year-old Italian football manager and former player, famous for his tough midfield style. He earned 73 caps for Italy, playing a key role in their 2006 FIFA World Cup victory under Marcello Lippi. His club career included time at AC Milan, where he won two Serie A titles and the Champions League, and Rangers, before he retired in 2013. As a coach, Gattuso has led several clubs, including Sion, Palermo, Pisa, AC Milan, Napoli (where he won the 2019/20 Coppa Italia), Valencia, Marseille, and most recently Hajduk Split, where he qualified for the UEFA Conference League before parting ways by mutual agreement after one season.
