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Former hard-tackling midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was named Italy coach on Sunday, tasked with reviving the country’s already-flagging World Cup qualifying hopes.
Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was let go last week after Italy lost their first qualifying match 3-0 in Norway, raising concerns that the four-time champion won’t make it to the World Cup for a third consecutive year.
Gattuso, 47, made 73 appearances for Italy and was a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad, and will now hope to lead his country into the same tournament 20 years later.
Italy won Euro 2020 but were knocked out by Switzerland in the last 16 of last summer’s tournament, and have also not made it to the past two World Cups.
Among other teams, the 47-year-old has coached AC Milan, Napoli, Valencia, and Marseille.
