Gennaro "Rino" Gattuso © ANSA / RONALD WITTEK / STF

This World Cup hero is supposed to save Italy from the worst-case scenario

Will a 2006 World Cup hero rescue the struggling Squadra Azzurra from their tough coaching search? Longtime Milan player Gennaro Gattuso is reportedly close to becoming Italy's new national football coach.

June 14, 2025

From: cst/apa

how Sky Sport Italia reported that the contract will be signed next week, and a meeting with Gabriele Gravina, President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), went well beforehand.

A one-year contract is initially being considered for Gattuso. This would be the former coach of Italian clubs Napoli and Milan's first position as national coach.

Ranieri spoke of a “great honor” – and declined

Previously, the national team's search for a successor to the sacked Luciano Spalletti had been met with a high-profile rejection. Preferred candidate Claudio Ranieri, the 73-year-old former coach of AS Roma, spoke of a "great honor," but after some reflection, decided against it. He wants to concentrate on his role as an advisor at Roma.

"Sir Claudio" turned down the Squadra Azzurra. © ANSA / SIMONE ARVEDA / FTJ

With the second hot contender, Stefano Pioli, former Milan champion coach, poised to move to Fiorentina, Gattuso has moved into the favorite position. Gattuso won the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020. He had no major successes at Milan, Valencia, Olympique Marseille, and Hajduk Split.

In addition to the 47-year-old, Fabio Cannavaro (most recently Dinamo Zagreb) and Daniele De Rossi (most recently AS Roma) were also recently among the candidates. Other prominent Italian coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil national coach), Antonio Conte (Napoli), and Massimiliano Allegri (Milan) are under contract.

Italy fears for World Cup participation

Four-time world champions Italy currently fear they won't be able to qualify for next year's World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico after missing two consecutive tournaments. In Spalletti's last game, they only managed a meager 2-0 win against Moldova in qualifying last Monday. Topping the group currently seems a long way off. Norway is far ahead.