Sky Sport Italia reports ex-Italy star Gennaro Gattuso has become the leading candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as the Azzurri head coach.
Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Gattuso, a former Milan and Italy midfielder, is the FIGC’s new primary candidate to become the Azzurri head coach.
Sky: Gattuso leading candidate for Italy job
Gattuso’s name had already emerged from earlier reports, which even mentioned Roberto Mancini, Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro as contenders for the job.
According to Di Marzio, the FIGC is now mainly focusing on Gattuso, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner.
Claudio Ranieri, a former Roma coach and now advisor to the Giallorossi owners, was the primary option but rejected the FIGC proposal on Tuesday.
Stefano Pioli was also in line to replace Spalletti, but the ex-Milan coach has already reached a verbal agreement with Fiorentina, according to Football Italia sources.
La Nazionale secured a 2-0 win over Moldova on Tuesday, in Spalletti’s final game as their head coach.
How Ranieri explained Italy snub
“I thank President Gravina for the opportunity; it’s a great honour. However, I have reflected and decided to remain fully committed to my new role at Roma,” Ranieri told ANSA.
“The Friedkins gave me full support, backing me regardless of any decision I could make about the national team; this decision is mine.”
Ringhio per sempre uno di noi 🔴⚫️
with Ringhio gattuso italia will become the world cup champion 2026
Siamo veramente fregati
Gattuso couldn’t coach his way out if a wet paper bag. Horrible choice. We should be going after De Zerbi or Francesco Farioli.
We are screwed if they go with Gattuso he is nothing but a hit head . We won’t even get playoff with him .
Gattuso’s points per game record is not that far off from Ranieri’s. That said:
Nunziata U21 coach The two best national teams in the world went with their youth sector coaches. Time for Italy to do the same.
God help us!
Agreed, we should be looking at youth sector coaches that have experience developing and nurturing young talent. There’s an obvious need to build a stronger foundation than the current state. We all love the 2006 team. If anything, they can motivate and inspire, but that doesn’t mean they are the best coaches for the role. I hope they take their time and make the best decision for the future.
Pippo is right look at Spain they went with under 21 coach and he has done so well incorporating younger players he has already coached . Gattuso is not the answer . What a disaster
Really Gattuso! That’s a stretch. Why, what has he done as a coach. I say Mancini.
bad decision gattusso cannot take Italy to world cup 2026 . Please make other choice. Love 💖 u Italy Please make a strategical, cool , person as coach who can bring more new players to italian squad.Chiesa,Gnonto,Verratti,Casadeii needed in squad with strong offence (like1994), midfield (like2006) and
defence(like1994&2006)
I agree we need players with great techniques and speed. Get Chiesa, Veratti (slow but great technique) and Gnonto back.
Better Nunziata than Gattuso. At least he took the Azzurini as Wolrd cup runners-up two years ago . Gattuso was a great player but his coaching record is pretty bad.
another mistake based on emotion. think and get Mancini back to get Italy playing as an exciting, charging, scoring and defending team again
…De Zerbi, that would be good