The Italian Football Federation is poised to appoint Gennaro Gattuso as the new head coach of the national team, following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti after a disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The decision was confirmed by Gianluigi Buffon, head of delegation, who stated that only final details remain before the appointment is made official.
Gattuso, 47, brings both passion and experience to the role. A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 and a former AC Milan stalwart, he has managed a range of clubs across Europe, including Napoli, Valencia, and most recently Hajduk Split. His managerial highlight came in 2020 when he guided Napoli to Coppa Italia glory.
Italy’s decision comes after a 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening qualifier, a result that sealed Spalletti’s fate despite a 2-0 win over Moldova in his final match. The federation initially approached Claudio Ranieri, but the veteran coach declined, choosing to remain in his advisory role at AS Roma.
Gattuso’s immediate challenge will be to reignite Italy’s World Cup hopes after the nation missed the last two editions of the tournament. With a fiery coaching style and deep-rooted national pride, he is expected to bring intensity and discipline to a squad in need of direction.
His first matches in charge are set for September, when Italy face Estonia and Israel in crucial qualifiers. The pressure is high, but so is the opportunity to restore Italy’s standing on the world stage.
