Gennaro Gattuso has been named the new head coach of Italy’s national football team, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Sunday. The 47-year-old World Cup-winning midfielder succeeds Luciano Spalletti and is tasked with guiding the Azzurri to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A veteran of 73 international caps, Gattuso played a crucial role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph in Germany. He will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Thursday.
“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. “The blue shirt is like a second skin for him. His motivation, professionalism, and experience will be vital. I thank him for embracing this challenge with complete dedication.”
Italy, four-time world champions, have failed to qualify for the past two World Cups. Their 2026 campaign—set to culminate in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—began poorly with a 3-0 defeat to Norway.
Gattuso’s most recent managerial role was at Croatian club Hajduk Split, where he led the team to UEFA Conference League qualification for the 2024/25 season. His previous stints include AC Milan, Napoli—where he won the Coppa Italia in 2020—Valencia, and Marseille. Despite his decorated playing career, his coaching tenure has been uneven, including brief spells at Valencia (22 matches) and Marseille (24 matches). A planned role at Fiorentina in 2021 fell through before he officially took charge.
Reports in the Italian media suggest former national team defenders Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will join his technical staff. Former head coach Cesare Prandelli is also expected to oversee youth development under the new regime.
Gattuso steps in following Spalletti’s dismissal after Italy’s heavy loss to Norway. While the team rebounded with a win over Moldova, the FIGC opted for a fresh direction. Gattuso’s tenure will begin in September with Group I qualifiers against Estonia and Israel as he looks to restore Italy’s standing on the world stage.