Gennaro Gattuso is set to take the reins at Lazio, nearly three months after his disastrous tenure as Italy coach ended with World Cup qualification failure. The 48-year-old has been appointed as the head coach of Lazio on a two-year deal with an annual net salary of 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) as per Italian media reports.

Gattuso returns to club management in Serie A, where he was once a star player for AC Milan, winning two Serie A titles and the coveted Champions League in 2003 and 2007. He replaces Maurizio Sarri, who terminated his contract with Lazio late last month after a disastrous season where the team finished ninth in Serie A and lost in the Italian Cup final to Inter Milan.

As for his coaching career, Gattuso has one Italian Cup win with Napoli in 2020, but that pales in comparison to the expectations surrounding him. His last stint as Italy coach ended with a painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifying play-offs, leaving Italy out of the World Cup for a third consecutive time. And Gattuso has been handed a tough task at Lazio, whose fans have been boycotting matches in protest against the team's owner, Claudio Lotito, over the past season.

Gattuso has a reputation for being a passionate and intense coach, but his last stint showed that he needs to work on his tactical nous and team selection. Despite his experience, winning the World Cup with Italy as a player in 2006, he failed to deliver on the same stage as a coach. His first assignment with Lazio will be a tough one, given the team's inconsistent form and fan discontent.

The 48-year-old has a lot of work to do to restore faith in the team, but one thing is for sure - he has the experience and passion to turn things around.

Key Facts

### Gattuso's Coaching Career

  • Gennaro Gattuso has one Italian Cup win with Napoli in 2020.
  • He was the head coach of Italy from June 2025 to March 2026.
  • He has been appointed as the head coach of Lazio on a two-year deal.
  • He has a reputation for being a passionate and intense coach.

### Lazio's Current Form

  • Lazio finished ninth in Serie A last season.
  • They lost in the Italian Cup final to Inter Milan.
  • The team's fans have been boycotting matches in protest against the team's owner, Claudio Lotito,

### World Cup Qualification Failure

  • Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time.
  • The team lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the penalty shoot-out in the play-offs.

Gattuso's return to club management marks a significant moment in the Serie A season, and his ability to turn things around will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.