Gattuso Vows To Restore Italy’s Pride Ahead Of 2026 World Cup
Newly appointed Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has promised to restore the team’s enthusiasm and to create a family ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gattuso was announced as Italy’s new coach earlier in the week with the objective of leading the Azzurri to the tournament in the United States of America.
He replaced Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked this month following a 3-0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier.
Gattuso described the opportunity to coach his country as a dream come true while looking forward to creating a family-like environment for the players.
He said: “It’s a dream come true, and I certainly hope to be up to the task. I know the job won’t be easy, but nothing in life is easy.
“My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family.
“The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging to the Azzurri team. We must be good at reacting, only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation.”
Gattuso earned 73 caps for the Italian national team and was a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
He started his managerial career as a player-coach at Swiss side FC Sion in 2013 before taking up his first full-time role at Palermo, which lasted for just six matches.
He led Pisa to promotion from the third tier in 2016 before taking over the reins at AC Milan in 2017, he left the club after failing to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the 2018-19 season.
He has gone on to coach the likes of Napoli, Valencia, Marseille.
Gattuso will manage his first match in charge of the team against Estonia in the World Cup qualifiers on September 5.
Gattuso Vows To Restore Italy’s Pride Ahead Of 2026 World Cup is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
