Italy Appoints Gattuso to Revive World Cup Qualification Campaign

Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy's national football team, tasked with guiding the Azzurri to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after missing the last two tournaments. Italy currently faces a difficult qualifying campaign, trailing nine points behind group leaders Norway, with only the top spot granting automatic qualification, making the playoffs their likely path. Gattuso emphasizes restoring enthusiasm, team unity, and a family mentality as his top priorities, believing that Italy has sufficient talent but needs the right mindset to succeed. He replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked following a 3-0 defeat to Norway, and will debut against Estonia in September. Italian soccer federation officials and former players express confidence in Gattuso's commitment and ability to revive the team's spirit and performance. The focus is on creating a strong team mentality before tactics and technique, aiming to overcome the pressure and challenges that have weighed on the squad in recent years.