Gennaro Gattuso admitted he would not pick himself for the Italy squad today as the new national team boss discussed his playing style as a coach.
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Gattuso says he wouldn’t pick a player like himselfNew Italy boss targets World Cup placeItaly nine points behind Norway in qualificationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Speaking at his unveiling press conference, Gattuso addressed questions regarding his reputation for aggressive and combative play style. The former midfielder and AC Milan legend defended his managerial record as he stressed the evolution of the modern player and the need for tailored management.
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Gattuso takes over the Azzurri after Luciano Spalletti's dismissal following a 3-0 loss to Norway in World Cup qualifiers. Italy currently sit in the third spot of Group I, below Norway and Israel. Despite back-to-back World Cup qualification failures, Gattuso expressed optimism and confidence in the talent available, singling out several players he considers among top 10 globally in their positions.
WHAT GATTUSO SAID
Gattuso said: "Everyone thinks of Gattuso who runs, grit… I think that the teams I coached played good football. They told me not to say it but I'll say it: today I wouldn't put a Gattuso on the pitch in my team, with the mess he was making, the way I see football now. I like to keep up to date and talk about football, I know what kind of football I like. You have to get into the players' heads, not all are the same. Today the footballer is different, he is much more professional: they just have more difficulty working as a group, not only in the national team"
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ITALY?
Italy will return in September to face Estonia in Bergamo before travelling to Hungary to meet Israel. With automatic qualification now unlikely, Gattuso’s side will aim to secure a play-off spot and avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.