Gattuso was a hero for Italy as a player in 2006 World Cup

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 11:34 AM ET

Gennaro Gattuso was part of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup, but that wasn’t his only success in the Azzurri shirt.

It is now official that the tactician has been named the new coach of the Nazionale , replacing Luciano Spalletti just days after the latter was dismissed.

Although his management career has not hit any particular heights, as a player he was one of the most representative of that triumphant 2006 team.

The image remains of him running to the sideline and playfully slapping coach Marcello Lippi after a crucial goal.

Gattuso started every 2006 World Cup match

Rino made his debut for the senior Italy squad in February 2000 and went on to amass 73 senior caps, with a single goal scored against England in the November 2000 friendly.

However, before that he was in the team that won the European Under-21 Championship in 2000, many of those players going on to lift the World Cup six years later.

At club level, Gattuso won it all with Milan, including two Champions League trophies, a Club World Cup, two Serie A titles, two UEFA Super Cups, two Italian Super Cups and the Coppa Italia.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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