Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new head coach of S.S. Lazio, marking his return to club management nearly three months after his departure from the Italy national team following a failed World Cup qualification campaign.
The Serie A club officially confirmed the hiring on الثلاثاء, announcing that Gattuso will take charge of the first team. Reports from إيطالي media indicate that the coach has signed a two-year contract with Lazio, earning a net annual salary of 1.5 million euros (approximately $1.7 million).
Once a celebrated midfielder for AC Milan, where he spent 13 years and achieved significant success including two Serie A titles and Champions League victories in 2003 and 2007, Gattuso now returns to Italy’s top flight with the challenge of stabilizing a struggling Lazio squad.
New Chapter at Lazio Amidst Difficult Circumstances
Gattuso succeeds Maurizio Sarri, who parted ways with Lazio last month after a disappointing season. The Roman club ended the campaign in ninth place in Serie A and fell short in the إيطالي Cup final against Inter Milan. Adding to the challenge, Lazio has faced unrest from its supporters, many of whom boycotted matches throughout the previous season to protest against long-standing club owner Claudio Lotito.
At 48 years old, Gattuso inherits a team in need of revitalization. While his coaching career has yet to match the heights of his playing days, he did secure an إيطالي Cup victory with Napoli in 2020. His brief tenure as Italy’s national team coach began last June, replacing Luciano Spalletti, and featured six wins in seven matches before the unsuccessful World Cup qualification campaign led to his exit.