### Gattuso Takes the Helm: Aiming to Revive Italy's Football Spirit - Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy's national football team, following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti. This change comes after Italy's disappointing performance in the World Cup qualifying campaign, where they suffered a significant 3-0 defeat to Norway, marking a troubling trend as the team has missed the last two World Cups. Gattuso, a World Cup winner himself in 2006, is tasked with restoring enthusiasm and unity within the team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/new-coach-gattuso-vows-restore-enthusiasm-battered-italy-5192076][https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/2026-world-cup-gennaro-gattuso-named-new-italy-coach-23569712]. ### Structure of Gattuso's Appointment and Goals 1. **Background of the Coaching Change** - Luciano Spalletti was sacked after a poor start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, which included a humiliating loss to Norway [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14814327/Italy-confirm-World-Cup-winner-new-manager-ex-boss-Luciano-Spalletti-announced-sacking.html]. - Gattuso was chosen after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) faced rejections from other candidates, including Claudio Ranieri and Stefano Pioli [https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/383905/gattuso-named-new-italy-coach-after-spalletti]. 2. **Gattuso's Vision and Objectives** - Gattuso aims to create a "family" atmosphere within the team to boost morale and performance [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/new-coach-gattuso-vows-restore-enthusiasm-battered-italy-5192076]. - His primary goal is to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, reversing the trend of missing out on major tournaments [https://www.apnews.com/article/gattuso-italy-coach-2026-world-cup-8d6e9a360b83bcf613ed1b650ceec67e]. 3. **Gattuso's Background and Experience** - Gattuso, a former midfielder with 73 caps for Italy, has coaching experience with clubs like AC Milan and Napoli [https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/2026-world-cup-gennaro-gattuso-named-new-italy-coach-23569712]. - His appointment is seen as a move to leverage his experience as a player and coach to inspire the current squad [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/15/italy-azzurri-appoint-gennaro-gattuso-as-head-coach]. ### Evidence of Italy's Current Football Landscape - **Recent Performance Metrics** - Italy's recent match results have been disappointing, with a notable 3-0 loss to Norway, which has raised concerns about the team's competitive edge [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14814327/Italy-confirm-World-Cup-winner-new-manager-ex-boss-Luciano-Spalletti-announced-sacking.html]. - The team's failure to qualify for the last two World Cups has put immense pressure on Gattuso to deliver results quickly [https://www.apnews.com/article/gattuso-italy-coach-2026-world-cup-8d6e9a360b83bcf613ed1b650ceec67e]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Italy's National Team - **Key Takeaways** 1. Gattuso's appointment comes at a critical juncture for Italy, with the team needing to rebuild after recent failures. 2. His focus on creating a cohesive team environment is essential for revitalizing the squad's spirit and performance. 3. The upcoming World Cup qualifiers will be a significant test for Gattuso, as he aims to restore Italy's status in international football. - **Final Thoughts** - Gattuso's leadership will be pivotal in determining whether Italy can overcome its recent challenges and return to the World Cup stage. The football community will be watching closely as he embarks on this new journey [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/new-coach-gattuso-vows-restore-enthusiasm-battered-italy-5192076][https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/2026-world-cup-gennaro-gattuso-named-new-italy-coach-23569712].