Gennaro Gattuso has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Italian national team.
The Azzurri have opted to hire their former midfielder following the departure of Luciano Spalletti earlier this month.
Italy suffered a shock defeat to Norway at the start of the international break, hastening Spalletti’s exit after two years on the job.
Reports in the Italian press claimed that Claudio Ranieri was the first choice for the role.
But after he supposedly turned down the opportunity, the FIGC have instead decided to hire Gattuso.
Although details of his deal are as yet unknown, Gazzetta dell Sport claim that the ex-Milan man has penned a one-year deal with an option for another year should Italy reach the World Cup.
Gattuso has most recently been coaching Croatian side Hajduk Split. His first game will be against Estonia on September 5.
📸 FRED TANNEAU – AFP or licensors