Gennaro Gattuso Named Italy's New Head Coach After Luciano Spalletti's Exit
Gennaro Gattuso is Italy's new head coach after Luciano Spalletti's resignation. The former AC Milan player and 2006 World Cup winner will lead Italy in World Cup qualifiers.
Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy’s national football team, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Sunday. His appointment follows the resignation of Luciano Spalletti a few days ago.
Spalletti, who assumed the role in August 2023 on a reported three-year contract, resigned after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign and a 3-0 defeat against Norway in Italy’s opening 2026 World Cup qualifier earlier this month.
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“Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football – the blue jersey is like a second skin for him. His motivations, professionalism, and experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the National Team," FIGC President Gabriele Gravina stated.
“Aware of the importance of the objective we want to achieve, I thank him for the availability and total dedication with which he has accepted this challenge, sharing the FIGC project for the overall development of our football, in which the blue jersey plays a strategic central role."
Before Italy’s second qualifier against Moldova, Spalletti announced at a press conference that he would resign after the match, despite Italy securing a 2-0 victory.
Gattuso, 47, is a former AC Milan midfielder who won two Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies with the club. He was also part of Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.
After retiring in 2013, Gattuso transitioned into coaching and has managed teams such as AC Milan, Napoli, Valencia, and Marseille. Most recently, he led Croatian club Hajduk Split during the 2024/25 season.
Italy currently sits third in UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group I with three points from two matches. Norway leads the group with four consecutive wins.
Only the group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while second-placed teams must go through the playoffs – a route that has troubled Italy, who missed the last two World Cups after playoff eliminations.
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