Champions. Group Stage. Group Stage. Didn’t qualify. Didn’t qualify.
Since successful the World Cup for the fourth time in 2006, Italy’s document at soccer’s largest event has been dismal.
Regardless of successful the delayed Euros in 2021, Italy haven’t even certified for a World Cup since 2014, which feels staggering for a nation of their stature.
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Now, Gennaro Gattuso, a midfielder from the 2006 aspect who has managed 10 golf equipment in 12 years, has been tasked with ending the wait to return to the largest stage.
However can he take the four-time champions again to the place they belong?
Italy’s bid to succeed in the 2026 World Cup was just one sport in when Luciano Spalletti introduced he had been sacked as supervisor in June.
Daniele Verri, an Italian soccer journalist, mentioned “there wasn’t many choices” to interchange Spalletti, who guided his nation to an underwhelming last-16 end at Euro 2024.
Spalletti had led Napoli to the Serie A title earlier than touchdown the Italian job, however Verri mentioned gamers “have been confused” by an overload of data and that performed a task in his departure.
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Claudio Ranieri was thought of however talks didn’t progress, and former AC Milan midfielder Gattuso was seen as essentially the most reasonable choice.
Previous to Spalletti, serial winner Roberto Mancini led Italy to European glory however missed out on the 2022 World Cup after a shock play-off defeat by North Macedonia.
He left the function in 2023 underneath a cloud, one thing Verri mentioned he “regretted” earlier than swiftly transferring to Saudi Arabia.
‘The supervisor cannot repair all the things’
Since managing Sion in 2013, Gattuso has had spells with Palermo, OFI, Pisa, Milan, Valencia, Marseille and Hajduk Cut up.
None, nevertheless, lasted greater than two years.
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He did win the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020, however Verri admits his appointment as nationwide group supervisor in June 2025 felt “dangerous”.
Gianluigi Buffon, considered one of many best goalkeepers of all time, is Italy’s technical delegate and put “all his playing cards” on his World Cup successful team-mate.
“Gattuso has the charisma, the recognition and is a identified face as a world champion,” Verri mentioned.
“He would not deliver that a lot expertise for a nationwide group like Italy, however they took a person who has the best motivation to do properly.
“I feel that’s the reason Gattuso was chosen, to deliver again that proper angle that he has all the time proven when carrying the AC Milan and Italy shirt.”
Genaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci are all attempting to return Italy to soccer’s high desk [Getty Images]
Gattuso’s document at present stands at 5 wins from six matches, however that was not ok to routinely qualify for the World Cup as they missed out to group winners Norway.
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Regardless of dropping into the play-off, Verri feels that Gattuso is “doing a superb job” and mentioned “the supervisor cannot repair all the things”.
Verri added that “it isn’t by likelihood” that Italy had not certified for the final two World Cups, each of which got here after play-off defeats by Sweden and North Macedonia.
“Our group shouldn’t be dangerous, however the high quality and customary of Italian soccer, for no matter cause, shouldn’t be the identical because it was once,” he mentioned.
“They don’t seem to be producing abilities, taking part in gradual soccer at membership degree, or golf equipment do not progress in Europe. It is a wider drawback.
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“Gattuso alone can’t repair all of those issues. He has to work to with who is offered, and get essentially the most out of it.
“From that standpoint, he is doing his job.”
The private method
Forward of the play-off semi-final towards Northern Eire, Gattuso had tried to rearrange a coaching camp however, for numerous causes, that didn’t come to fruition – one thing Verri says is a “pity”.
As an alternative, he visited all of the gamers in his wider squad, from these in England and in Italy, all the way in which to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
His purpose, says Verri, was to debate his “hopes and expectations” for the nationwide group.
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For a participant identified for his ardour on the pitch, Gattuso hopes to make use of this camaraderie and private method to alter Italy’s fortunes with him on the helm.
“That is the way in which he needs to construct spirit, and he has performed properly,” Verri added.
“I am positive he would have cherished extra time to spend along with his gamers, not solely in coaching but in addition within the night with movies and discussing opponents, and being with the boys and make his presence felt.”
Together with World Cup winners Buffon and Gattuso, Euro 2020 winner and former captain Leonardo Bonucci joined Italy’s teaching group.
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“These are gamers who’ve received one thing essential. They’re attempting to take accountability,” Verri mentioned.
“Buffon trusts him. He is aware of Gattuso has the grit, mentality and persona to guide the group.”
Gennaro Gattuso received 73 caps for Italy and was a key a part of the nation’s 2006 World Cup triumph in Germany [Getty Images]
After their play-off heartbreak for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Italy face one other nerve-wracking path to the finals.
No former winner of the World Cup has missed out on the finals thrice in a row. Italy should do it the onerous manner if they’re to keep away from an undesirable piece of historical past.
The Azzurri host Northern Eire – a tie they are going to be favourites to win – in Bergamo on 26 March, and the winner of that semi-final will go to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina of their bid to qualify for the finals, the place they might be a part of co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in Group B.
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“It will not be simple, under no circumstances,” unhappy Verri, who added there’s an points “with the velocity of the sport” in Italy.
“I do not assume Northern Eire are a greater aspect than Italy, however it won’t be simple with their velocity and dedication, and it could not be simple towards Wales or Bosnia.
“We undoubtedly have the standard to undergo, however now we have to watch out in a one-off sport.”
For Gattuso, the play-off might additionally outline whether or not he’s the long-term choice for certainly one of Europe’s heavyweights.
Lose and “it may very well be time to rethink once more”, however win and he may very well be the “hero” who introduced Italy again to the largest stage.
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“Italy have 4 World Cups, so there’s nonetheless an expectation to be aggressive in each sport,” Verri mentioned.
“Individuals can’t be proud of the state of affairs and the way it’s, however it’s not with Gattuso.
“If he would not qualify then it may be tough for him, but when we qualify we’d be very comfortable and Gattuso could be a lot beloved within the nation.”