ROME – Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy’s national football team, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on June 15. He replaces Luciano Spalletti, who stepped down following Italy’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Norway on June 6 in their opening qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.
Gattuso, 47, will officially be presented to the media on June 19. A World Cup winner in 2006 and veteran of 73 international caps, Gattuso takes charge with the pressing task of steering the Azzurri back to football’s biggest stage after missing the last two World Cups.
“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football,” FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said. “The blue shirt is like a second skin for him. His passion, professionalism, and experience will be crucial. He understands the magnitude of the challenge and has embraced it with total commitment.”
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Spalletti, 66, had been at the helm for less than two years and coached his final match in a 2-0 win over Moldova on June 9. Claudio Ranieri was initially approached to succeed him, but the 73-year-old declined the offer, opting to remain in his advisory role at AS Roma.
Gattuso arrives after parting ways with Croatian side Hajduk Split, where he guided the club to a third-place finish in the top division. His coaching journey began in 2013 at Swiss club Sion, where he served briefly as player-coach after concluding a 13-year playing career at AC Milan.
Although Gattuso has managed nine clubs over 12 years—including stints at Milan, Napoli, Valencia, and Marseille—his lone managerial silverware remains the 2020 Coppa Italia with Napoli. His time at Fiorentina in 2021 lasted just 22 days due to reported disputes over transfer policy.
Italian media reports suggest that former national team defenders Andrea Barzagli, 44, and Leonardo Bonucci, 38, will form part of Gattuso’s coaching staff. Meanwhile, Cesare Prandelli, 67, a former Italy head coach, is expected to oversee the youth teams.
