Gattuso appointed head of Italy, the Senate is not happy

Gattuso's appointment as head of Italy was not unanimous, even as president of the Senate.

By appointing Gennaro Gattuso as Luciano Spalletti's successor at the helm of the Nazionale, the Italian Football Federation is hoping to inject new momentum into its national team. However, the choice is far from unanimous, with the president of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, not mincing his words about the new coach.

During his appearance on Rai Radio Gr Parlamento , La Russa questioned the choice of Gattuso to lead the Italian national team. For him, the coach is not symbolic enough: " When you love the national team, you wish them good luck, but I have legitimate doubts. Is Gattuso a symbol of our football ? Buffon is, yes, so we might as well appoint him as coach. You don't need to be a coach to lead the Nazionale. The real symbols are Totti, Del Piero, Cannavaro, Nesta, Inzaghi ," La Russa said.

An opinion that he also supports with his vision of Italian football: " Our football is not the physical one of Gattuso but that of the class of Rivera, Baggio, Del Piero ." The president of the Italian Senate does not hesitate to castigate the bad timing of the casting of Spalletti's successor: " If Ranieri, Mancini, or even Mourinho had been considered at the right time, they might have accepted. Now, it's too late ."

This appointment reflects the Nazionale's loss of appeal, according to La Russa, who adds another layer in his criticism of Italian football: " In the past, it was the pinnacle of a career. Today, players think first of their clubs and their contracts. Can Gattuso rekindle the flame ? Perhaps, but it's up to the overall system to restore prestige to this jersey ."

Italy is currently in a difficult position in its quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup . The Nazionale (3 pts) is in third place in its group, behind Erling Haaland's Norway (12 pts) and Israel (6 pts). Italy is going through a long period of crisis, having failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups twice.