‘A symbol of Italian football': Azzurri appoint Gennaro Gattuso as head coach

Former Milan and Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed Italy national team coach, the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed on Sunday.
Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked last week following a heavy defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier. Gattuso will be formally introduced as head coach on Thursday at Rome's Parco dei Principi Hotel.
'Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football - the blue jersey is like a second skin for him. His motivations, his professionalism and his experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the National Team,' FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said in a statement.
Gattuso, 47, made 73 appearances for Italy and was a member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad. He recently left Croatian club Hajduk Split by mutual consent, after a third-placed finish in the country's top flight.
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