Can Gennaro Gattuso Guide Italy to World Cup Redemption?

“Players must bleed for the shirt” is the classic Gennaro Gattuso philosophy. The former Italian international, who once tasted glory with the national side, was appointed as head coach of the Azzurri on Sunday. With Italy having suffered major setbacks, missing two consecutive World Cups, and currently struggling in their group, could he be the one to guide Italy to World Cup redemption?

Gattuso’s Coaching Journey: From Coverciano to Sansiro sidelines

Gennaro Gattuso earned his UEFA Pro License in 2013, the highest coaching qualification in European football, enabling him to manage at the top level across the continent. He completed the course at the prestigious Coverciano coaching school—the Italian Football Federation’s national technical centre in Florence, renowned as one of the world’s elite institutions for coach education.

As part of his certification, Gattuso submitted a thesis titled “The 4-3-3 in the Non-Possession Phase,” exploring the tactical intricacies of defending without the ball in a 4-3-3 formation. His work focused on key principles, including maintaining defensive compactness between lines, implementing effective mid-block pressing, ensuring tactical cohesion through precise player distances, balancing zonal coverage with selective man-marking, and coordinating collective movement as a defensive unit.

 

Gattuso argued that while possession is important, matches are often won through discipline and control during the defensive phase. His thesis reflected a pragmatic and structured approach—emphasizing organization, intensity, and the ability to dominate without the ball. Starting his coaching career with Swiss second-division side Sion, he has since managed several major clubs including  AC Milan, Napoli, and Marseille..

System Requirements and Track Record

Gattuso’s coaching career has been inconsistent. He failed to achieve over 50% win rates at most clubs he managed, with Napoli being the notable exception at 56%. One key reason behind this inconsistency is his pragmatic approach, which can become predictable for opponents to read and counter.

Defensively, he primarily relies on a mid-block 4-3-3 system emphasizing compactness, zonal marking, and physical intensity. His teams are hard to break down, but often lack tactical adaptability. In build-up play, Gattuso favors a direct, vertical approach, rarely prioritizing possession-based football. His pressing typically employs midfield pressure only after the defensive block is properly set, avoiding high-risk engagement up front.

The holding midfielder plays a crucial role in maintaining shape and managing transitions. Fullbacks remain supportive but cautious, rarely taking unnecessary forward risks. Wingers contribute defensively and are often inverted to help close central spaces. Overall, Gattuso’s teams are organized and tough but more reactive than proactive, mirroring his own playing style while often lacking the fluidity required at the highest level.

Can He Reshape Italy?

His pragmatic approach requires a structured, disciplined setup, with several key positions on his checklist. Box-to-box midfielders like Nicolò Barella, Frattesi, and Lorenzo Pellegrini can provide the quick runs, high work rate, ball progression, tackling, and shooting that a direct, vertical system demands.

Players like Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli excel at recycling possession and maintaining control, providing stability behind creative players like Giacomo Raspadori. Davide Frattesi adds tenacity from deeper positions, often breaking up play and intercepting passes. Emerging talents such as Nicolò Rovella also present promising options, combining tactical intelligence with strong defensive instincts.

Federico Chiesa offers Italy’s most dynamic wide forward play—explosive on the dribble, sharp when cutting inside, and committed in defensive transitions. Matteo Politano provides intelligent off-ball movement and tactical awareness in wide overloads or inside channels. Giacomo Raspadori excels between the lines as a false 9 or inverted forward, linking play in tight areas, though this position lacks world-class consistency.

 

The Challenges

Modern Italy needs more than grit. The current generation features technically gifted talents like Barella, Tonali, Chiesa, and Scamacca. A coach who limits their creative freedom risks constraining the team’s true potential. Alessandro Bastoni exemplifies this—he’s a modern ball-playing defender who is tactically intelligent and tough when needed, but may not flourish under overly rigid systems.

If Gattuso remains committed to orthodox methods, Italy may struggle to achieve a true international breakthrough. His pragmatic approach can become overly rigid and predictable. At the highest level, where opponents adapt swiftly, a lack of tactical variation could see Italy struggle, particularly in possession-dominant or open-ended matches. Additionally, his approach may lack the modern space management required against tactically advanced teams, particularly when playing without the ball.