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The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Gennaro Gattuso seeks ‘family' ethos in bid to avoid World Cup unthinkable
Gennaro Gattuso said all the things he was expected to say at his first appearance as Italy manager. He talked about the need to restore enthusiasm to an Azzurri side whose morale has been dented by recent setbacks, as well as that sense of shared purpose that bonded him to teammates in the World Cup-winning side of 2006. The word he kept coming back to was 'family', insisting: 'That's the most important thing, more than tactics or formations.' His is not a vision of paternalistic authority but of a group close enough to speak hard truths to each other's faces. 'In moments of difficulty, when you feel alone and don't hear the voice of your teammate, those are the 90 minutes that feel never-ending,' said Gattuso. 'This is what we need to change. We need to help each other, we need to say those things that maybe you don't want to hear, because that's the only way you grow.' They will have no shortage of material. Italy's men's team are at an all-time low. Having failed to qualify for consecutive World Cups, their attempts to reach next summer's tournament are in jeopardy after a 3-0 thrashing by Norway in their opening game of Group I. That result led the Italian football federation (FIGC) to sack Luciano Spalletti as manager, though he persuaded them to allow him one more game. The idea was to leave on a more positive note, and perhaps that was achieved in a 2-0 win over Moldova, though the pre-game conference at which he in effect confirmed his own termination made for an awkward occasion. How had it come to this? Spalletti's Italy were a disappointment at the Euros last summer, putting up a feeble defence of their 2021 triumph as they scraped out of their group with a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia before losing meekly to Switzerland. The manager had been dealt a tough hand, replacing Roberto Mancini midway through qualifying. It was easy to argue he deserved time to implement his vision after steering Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. But what was the point in continuing, if the federation's faith in him was always this fragile? Gattuso's appointment raises more questions about their approach. The FIGC's president, Gabriele Gravina, confirmed on Thursday that they had approached Claudio Ranieri first. That would have been a popular choice – a man with a reputation for rescuing teams in times of emergency, fresh from one last miracle with his boyhood team, Roma. But Ranieri already has a new job, moving upstairs as a senior adviser for the Giallorossi. As he explained it this week: 'I respect the national team, but I belong to Roma.' Gravina sought to portray it not as a rejection but merely a respectful conversation with the club's ownership. Whatever the truths of that story, it is a hard pivot from Ranieri – who made Leicester champions and has written countless brilliant chapters in his almost 40 years of management – to Gattuso, who has not yet left such a mark on any of the nine clubs he has led since 2013. There are always different ways to tell a story. Is Gattuso, 47, a man who has repeatedly fallen short of his clubs' objectives – failing to reach the Champions League with Milan and Napoli, finishing third in Croatia with Hajduk Split and not even lasting a full season with Valencia and Marseille in between? Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Or is he, as his former Italy teammate Gigi Buffon – head of delegation for the Azzurri at Euro 2024 and seemingly moving into a more prominent role for the federation – argued on Thursday, a person who has shown courage to go to different countries and take on different challenges, continuing to grow and to evolve? Defending his own work, Gattuso pointed out his Milan and Napoli sides each missed the top four by one point, and that his Hajduk team this season were in with a shot at their first league title in 19 years going into the final weekend. All of which can be well and true, but in his new job there will be no grey area: only success or failure. For Italy to miss a third consecutive World Cup ought to be unthinkable, but the lopsided nature of their defeat by Norway, who have played two more games and won both, means even a perfect record from here on may only land them back into the playoffs from which they have failed to progress in each of the past two cycles. If the goal were only to make Italy a family again, Gattuso would have every chance of success. His presence at the podium alongside Buffon felt like a homecoming, albeit an understated one, the heroes of 2006 given their opportunity to lead. Journalists prefaced questions not with deferential honorifics but instead a familiar 'ciao Rino'. In the end, though, the requirements of this job remain the same as they always were. Gattuso needs to win, starting with his first game, at home to Estonia in September. This family is sick of losing. He will hear hard truths soon enough, and from more people than he may care to, if he cannot make it stop.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gennaro Gattuso seeks ‘family' ethos in bid to avoid World Cup unthinkable
Gennaro Gattuso said all the things he was expected to say at his first appearance as Italy manager. He talked about the need to restore enthusiasm to an Azzurri side whose morale has been dented by recent setbacks, as well as that sense of shared purpose that bonded him to teammates in the World Cup-winning side of 2006. The word he kept coming back to was 'family', insisting: 'That's the most important thing, more than tactics or formations.' His is not a vision of paternalistic authority but of a group close enough to speak hard truths to each other's faces. Advertisement Related: 'A symbol of Italian football': Azzurri appoint Gennaro Gattuso as head coach 'In moments of difficulty, when you feel alone and don't hear the voice of your teammate, those are the 90 minutes that feel never-ending,' said Gattuso. 'This is what we need to change. We need to help each other, we need to say those things that maybe you don't want to hear, because that's the only way you grow.' They will have no shortage of material. Italy's men's team are at an all-time low. Having failed to qualify for consecutive World Cups, their attempts to reach next summer's tournament are in jeopardy after a 3-0 thrashing by Norway in their opening game of Group I. That result led the Italian football federation (FIGC) to sack Luciano Spalletti as manager, though he persuaded them to allow him one more game. The idea was to leave on a more positive note, and perhaps that was achieved in a 2-0 win over Moldova, though the pre-game conference at which he in effect confirmed his own termination made for an awkward occasion. Advertisement How had it come to this? Spalletti's Italy were a disappointment at the Euros last summer, putting up a feeble defence of their 2021 triumph as they scraped out of their group with a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia before losing meekly to Switzerland. The manager had been dealt a tough hand, replacing Roberto Mancini midway through qualifying. It was easy to argue he deserved time to implement his vision after steering Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. But what was the point in continuing, if the federation's faith in him was always this fragile? Gattuso's appointment raises more questions about their approach. The FIGC's president, Gabriele Gravina, confirmed on Thursday that they had approached Claudio Ranieri first. That would have been a popular choice – a man with a reputation for rescuing teams in times of emergency, fresh from one last miracle with his boyhood team, Roma. But Ranieri already has a new job, moving upstairs as a senior adviser for the Giallorossi. As he explained it this week: 'I respect the national team, but I belong to Roma.' Gravina sought to portray it not as a rejection but merely a respectful conversation with the club's ownership. Advertisement Whatever the truths of that story, it is a hard pivot from Ranieri – who made Leicester champions and has written countless brilliant chapters in his almost 40 years of management – to Gattuso, who has not yet left such a mark on any of the nine clubs he has led since 2013. There are always different ways to tell a story. Is Gattuso, 47, a man who has repeatedly fallen short of his clubs' objectives – failing to reach the Champions League with Milan and Napoli, finishing third in Croatia with Hajduk Split and not even lasting a full season with Valencia and Marseille in between? Or is he, as his former Italy teammate Gigi Buffon – head of delegation for the Azzurri at Euro 2024 and seemingly moving into a more prominent role for the federation – argued on Thursday, a person who has shown courage to go to different countries and take on different challenges, continuing to grow and to evolve? Defending his own work, Gattuso pointed out his Milan and Napoli sides each missed the top four by one point, and that his Hajduk team this season were in with a shot at their first league title in 19 years going into the final weekend. Advertisement All of which can be well and true, but in his new job there will be no grey area: only success or failure. For Italy to miss a third consecutive World Cup ought to be unthinkable, but the lopsided nature of their defeat by Norway, who have played two more games and won both, means even a perfect record from here on may only land them back into the playoffs from which they have failed to progress in each of the past two cycles. If the goal were only to make Italy a family again, Gattuso would have every chance of success. His presence at the podium alongside Buffon felt like a homecoming, albeit an understated one, the heroes of 2006 given their opportunity to lead. Journalists prefaced questions not with deferential honorifics but instead a familiar 'ciao Rino'. In the end, though, the requirements of this job remain the same as they always were. Gattuso needs to win, starting with his first game, at home to Estonia in September. This family is sick of losing. He will hear hard truths soon enough, and from more people than he may care to, if he cannot make it stop.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gattuso brings first Italy change after Spalletti
Gennaro Gattuso stated in his first press conference as Italy's coach that the players called up should remain at Coverciano, even with minor injuries, adopting a different approach than his predecessor, Luciano Spalletti. Gattuso was unveiled at a press conference in Rome on Thursday, and even if he admitted he would not have time to make 'big changes', he already announced a switch from his predecessor Spalletti. Advertisement Gattuso said that his first request to Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina was to keep players at the Italy training centre in Coverciano, Florence, during international breaks, even if they have minor injuries. The new Italy boss insisted that the national team has an adequate staff to monitor and treat players dealing with minor injuries, so they should remain with the national team if called up. Gattuso's first Italy change SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Gennaro Gattuso of Valencia CF reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Valencia CF at Reale Arena on November 06, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel) 'The first thing I asked the President and Buffon was: Anyone coming to Coverciano must stay, even if they have a minor issue,' said Gattuso. Advertisement 'We have everything in place to treat them. To be credible and avoid excuses. If a player is called up, he stays in Coverciano, just like when I played. If we can't get them healthy, then they return to their club. What matters most is spending time together. Players usually sustain minor injuries when playing 50 or 60 games a year, but we can't start setting dangerous precedents.' Spalletti different approach REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy gestures during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by) Spalletti employed an entirely different approach, sending back to the clubs those who arrived at Coverciano in poor shape. One of the latest examples was this past March when Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui was forced to pull out of the team due to a muscle problem. Advertisement 'We sent Retegui back home because he would not recover, but we hope he returns for the next Atalanta game,' Spalletti said. 'The exact problem is not well defined, but he has [muscle] fatigue, and, as we've always done, we decided to release him.' Gattuso said he had spoken to Spalletti: 'I have enormous respect for him,' the new Italy boss said. 'He's a true football mind and innovates every year.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gattuso convinced Italy can reach World Cup
Gennaro Gattuso (C) has been tasked with guiding Italy to the 2026 World Cup (Alberto PIZZOLI) Gennaro Gattuso said Thursday he is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup after a troubled start to their qualifying campaign which has left them nine points behind Group I leaders Norway and cost Spalletti his job. Advertisement Asked whether he had more hope or conviction that Italy could reach next year's finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Gattuso said: "conviction". "I believe that we have good players available to us. We have four or five who are among the top 10 in the world in their position," added Gattuso. "We have a good team, but I do mean team, I'm not thinking about individuals. I'm convinced that the team has quality and I'm convinced that we can achieve our goal." Gattuso has a tough job on his hands with only top spot in the group giving automatic qualification to the World Cup, even with Italy having played two fewer games than Norway. Advertisement As well as the significant points gap Italy have a goal difference which is 12 goals worse than Norway, who hammered Italy 3-0 earlier in June. That leaves Italy with the play-offs, from which they failed to reach the last two tournaments, as their only realistic shot at qualification. "We need to bring back the enthusiasm and not think negatively. My goal is to make sure that the players that come to (Italy's training centre) Coverciano do so with great enthusiasm, and to create a family," said Gattuso. "After formations, technique and tactics the priority is to recreate that mentality that in the past has made us stand out." Advertisement Gattuso, a World Cup winner in 2006, was not the Italian Football Federation's first choice to replace Spalletti. Claudio Ranieri eventually turned down an appeal to come out of retirement, for a second time, to save his country's footballing fortunes. But Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon, now head of the national team delegation, said he believes Gattuso is capable of defying those who doubt his capabilities after an up-and-down coaching career. Gattuso, 47, was recently sacked by Hadjuk Split but has also managed AC Milan and Napoli, winning the Italian Cup with the latter club five years ago. Advertisement "I had a long playing career and every time I faced once of Rino's teams with Juventus they gave us a hard time, you had the idea that his teams had a precise identity, and that there was a lot of work and thought behind them," said Buffon. "It's very simple, when you're on the pitch you can tell straight away if behind the other team there is a good coach or not. And I every time I faced his Milan or Napoli team I could tell that was the case." Gattuso will be in the dugout for the first time in September when Italy host Estonia in Bergamo before travelling to Hungary to take on Israel. td/pi
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gattuso convinced Italy can reach World Cup
Gennaro Gattuso (C) has been tasked with guiding Italy to the 2026 World Cup (Alberto PIZZOLI) Gennaro Gattuso said Thursday he is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup after a troubled start to their qualifying campaign which has left them nine points behind Group I leaders Norway and cost Spalletti his job. Advertisement Asked whether he had more hope or conviction that Italy could reach next year's finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Gattuso said: "conviction". "I believe that we have good players available to us. We have four or five who are among the top 10 in the world in their position," added Gattuso. "We have a good team, but I do mean team, I'm not thinking about individuals. I'm convinced that the team has quality and I'm convinced that we can achieve our goal." Gattuso has a tough job on his hands with only top spot in the group giving automatic qualification to the World Cup, even with Italy having played two fewer games than Norway. Advertisement As well as the significant points gap Italy have a goal difference which is 12 goals worse than Norway, who hammered Italy 3-0 earlier in June. That leaves Italy with the play-offs, from which they failed to reach the last two tournaments, as their only realistic shot at qualification. "We need to bring back the enthusiasm and not think negatively. My goal is to make sure that the players that come to (Italy's training centre) Coverciano do so with great enthusiasm, and to create a family," said Gattuso. "After formations, technique and tactics the priority is to recreate that mentality that in the past has made us stand out." Advertisement Gattuso, a World Cup winner in 2006, was not the Italian Football Federation's first choice to replace Spalletti. Claudio Ranieri eventually turned down an appeal to come out of retirement, for a second time, to save his country's footballing fortunes. But Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon, now head of the national team delegation, said he believes Gattuso is capable of defying those who doubt his capabilities after an up-and-down coaching career. Gattuso, 47, was recently sacked by Hadjuk Split but has also managed AC Milan and Napoli, winning the Italian Cup with the latter club five years ago. Advertisement "I had a long playing career and every time I faced once of Rino's teams with Juventus they gave us a hard time, you had the idea that his teams had a precise identity, and that there was a lot of work and thought behind them," said Buffon. "It's very simple, when you're on the pitch you can tell straight away if behind the other team there is a good coach or not. And I every time I faced his Milan or Napoli team I could tell that was the case." Gattuso will be in the dugout for the first time in September when Italy host Estonia in Bergamo before travelling to Hungary to take on Israel. td/pi
