New coach Gattuso vows to restore enthusiasm to battered Italy
ROME :Italy's new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday pledged to restore enthusiasm and create "a family" at the battered national team, aiming to secure qualification for the next World Cup after the Azzurri missed out twice in a row.
Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked this month following a 3-0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier. He officially departed after overseeing his final match, a 2-0 victory against Moldova.
"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," said Gattuso, who recently left Croatian club Hajduk Split after a third-placed finish in the country's top flight.
Nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growler) for his tenacious attitude on the pitch, the 47-year-old earned 73 caps for the Italian national team and was a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
Fans hope his strong character can help with the task of taking the four-time world champions to next year's World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Italy, third in World Cup qualifying Group I, will host Estonia on September 5 before taking on Israel three days later.
"My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family," said Gattuso, who according to a source at the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) was given a one-year contract.
Gattuso spent the bulk of his playing career at AC Milan, where he won two Champions League and two Serie A titles, before returning to coach the club from 2017 to 2019. As a manager he won the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020.
"The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging" to the Azzurri team, Gattuso told reporters during his presentation to the press at a luxury hotel in central Rome.
The new coach said he believed players felt the pressure of having missed out on qualification for two World Cups in a row and that was weighing on the team's performance.
"We must be good at reacting, only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Sailing-America's Cup-winning skipper Burling joins Luna Rossa after Team NZ split
Three-times America's Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined Italian team Luna Rossa after leaving New Zealand ahead of the 2027 edition of sailing's most prestigious competition, the team announced on Friday. Italy will host the America's Cup for the first time in 2027, with Naples set to stage the 38th edition. Burling, 34, links up with the Italians just two months after ending his long-standing relationship with defenders New Zealand, with whom he won the Cup in 2017 and retained it in 2021 and 2024. Burling joined Team NZ after winning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics sailing with teammate Blair Tuke. The former New Zealand skipper will support both the sailing operations and technical development at Luna Rossa as they prepare for their latest Cup campaign. In addition to his three Olympic medals Burling also has six world titles in the 49er class, and is regarded as one of the sport's leading talents. "I've always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour. The innovation and competitiveness they bring to the Cup has always inspired me," Burling said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to working hard alongside a world-class team, doing my part to help win Luna Rossa's first America's Cup." CEO of Luna Rossa Max Sirena said, "Even though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa's core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development program.
CNA
11 hours ago
- CNA
In-form Kolo Muani wants to stay at Juventus after Club World Cup
On-loan France striker Randal Kolo Muani said he would like to stay at Juventus next season after a Man of the Match performance for the Italian team in their impressive Club World Cup opener. Kolo Muani, who arrived at the club from Paris Saint Germain on a short-term deal in January, scored two goals as Juventus hammered Al-Ain 5-0 on Wednesday, taking his tally to five goals in his last six matches for the Italian club. "Honestly, I feel very good here," the 26-year-old told Mediaset after the Group G match in Washington D.C. "I can play well and score goals. I am happy, I hope to stay." General manager Damien Comolli told reporters last week that Juventus had discussed another loan with PSG when negotiating an extension to Kolo Muani's existing deal for the Club World Cup. "I'm optimistic that we can come to an agreement with PSG regarding a loan for the entire 25-26 season," he said. "Paris Saint Germain have certainly not closed the door to a loan, and they know the player wants to stay with us." Juventus coach Igor Tudor's optimistic response to Wednesday's victory might have been tempered by the knowledge that the two best performers in the game are only at the club on deals which expire after the tournament. Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao, who is on loan from Porto, also grabbed a brace of goals after terrorising the Al-Ain defence from both flanks at Audi Field. Tudor has used the 22-year-old sparingly since taking over from Thiago Motta in March, suggesting Juventus might not be ready to trigger the 30 million euros ($34.57 million) buyout clause in his contract and keep him in Turin. In the short term, however, Tudor has both players at his disposal for the Club World Cup, which continues for Juventus with games against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday and Manchester City next Thursday. Kolo Muani for one is certainly buying into the Croatian's programme. "He trusts me, he wants to attack and he wants to keep the defence strong," he told the post-match press conference.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Club World Cup match resumes after storm threat interruption
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group A - Palmeiras v Al Ahly - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Fans leave the stands as the match is suspended due to adverse weather REUTERS/Susana Vera Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group A - Palmeiras v Al Ahly - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 19, 2025 General view as the players walk off the pitch as the match is suspended due to adverse weather REUTERS/Mike Segar EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., - The Club World Cup clash between Al Ahly of Egypt and Brazil's Palmeiras resumed after a 50-minute halt at the MetLife Stadium on Thursday because of a severe weather threat, the second time a match has been interrupted during the tournament. Referee Anthony Taylor told the teams to leave the pitch immediately after Palmeiras had taken a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute of their Group A clash after advice from a pitchside official at the 82,500-capacity stadium which will host next year's World Cup final. Repeated announcements over the stadium public address system told the public to leave their seats and take shelter inside the stadium concourse because of the threat of 'severe weather', although fans were slow to move out. Police had to persuade some spectators to move. There was no visible weather threat above the stadium, save for a batch of dark clouds in the distance on a hot and sunny day. After 30 minutes, an announcement said 'the situation has now been resolved and it is all clear and safe to return to your seats'. The game then restarted after the teams were allowed to warm up briefly. The weather forecast for the New York area on Thursday had predicted afternoon showers, but only after the completion of the match, which kicked off at midday local time. A heat wave is forecast across the eastern United States and expected to bring severe storms and several days of record high temperatures at the start of the weekend and into next week. The start of the Group F match in Orlando on Tuesday between South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan of South Korea was delayed by 65 minutes because of the threat of lightning. Potentially dangerous weather conditions are closely monitored during sports events in the U.S. and interruptions and postponements are not uncommon. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
