Italy Appoint 2006 World Cup Champion Gattuso as National Team Manager

Rome, 15 Jun (ONA) --- The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has named former midfield star Gennaro Gattuso as the new head coach of the national team.

The AC Milan icon takes over from Luciano Spalletti, whose dismissal was confirmed during his own press conference last week.

Gattuso, 47, earned 73 caps for Italy and was part of their triumphant 2006 World Cup squad. Two decades later, he now returns to guide the Azzurri in the same competition.

Despite their Euro 2020 victory, Italy missed qualification for the last World Cup and have been absent from the tournament's past two editions. Spalletti's tenure ended following a decisive 3-0 qualifying loss to Norway on 6 June 2025.

The FIGC announced Gattuso will be officially unveiled at a media presentation this Thursday.

--- Ends/Khalid