Italy`s newly appointed coach Gennaro Gattuso is making the rounds of various Serie A clubs during the pre-season. His most recent stop was at Lazio, where he was accompanied by his staff.
Gattuso is set to make his debut as Italy`s head coach in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team will face Estonia on September 5, followed by a match against Israel on September 8.
Given the limited preparation time, Gattuso is utilizing the summer to visit Serie A teams` training camps. This allows him to familiarize himself with the players and engage in discussions with their coaches.
Lazio Welcomes Gattuso
During his visit to Formello, Lazio`s training ground, Gattuso was greeted by head coach Maurizio Sarri, sporting director Angelo Maria Fabiani, and club manager Alberto Bianchi. The new national team coach was joined by his staff, including Gigi Buffon, Luigi Riccio, and Leonardo Bonucci.
Gattuso`s appointment came after Italy`s disappointing start to the World Cup qualifying campaign under previous coach Luciano Spalletti, which saw them lose 3-0 to Norway before securing a 2-0 victory against Moldova.
The decision to bring in Gattuso was influenced by his extensive experience as a player, including his role in Italy`s 2006 World Cup-winning squad. This background is expected to be valuable as he takes on the challenge of leading the national team.