Gattuso on the Italy bench rather than Ranieri would be a disaster

Going from Claudio Ranieri to Gennaro Gattuso as ideas for the new Italy coach is proof the Federation is in utter chaos, warns Susy Campanale.

The meme of Ranieri’s face lighting up the night sky like the Batsignal really did sum up the situation, as the Nazionale is in dire need of rescuing. Sadly, and much like Batman himself, Sir Claudio knows this is a battle too far and he really does want to take that well-earned retirement. We cannot begrudge him that. The real problem was not calling him in earlier, when he might’ve still been convinced to take over.

Ranieri would’ve been perfect for the role for the very same reasons that Gattuso would be a complete and utter disaster. One man works to build the confidence of his players, unites the fans and press around him in a family atmosphere, adapts to the characteristics of the squad at his disposal, and focuses on the simple tactical concepts that can be taught quickly and easily.

The other has created tension at every club, gets into shouting matches with reporters and refuses to talk to specific ones, has never really succeeded at any team, and seems focused more on demanding grit than setting out a real game plan.

Gattuso has not proved himself a fine coach

Simply being part of the squad that won the 2006 World Cup is not sufficient to automatically become a fine coach. We’ve seen quite a few of those crash and burn, while others struggle to be in any way convincing, like Fabio Cannavaro.

Let’s be honest here, most of the jobs Gattuso got at club level have been thanks to his reputation as a player, because they were all short-lived and unimpressive. The only time he completed two full seasons anywhere was Pisa in Serie C and B from 2015 to 2017. His only piece of silverware as a manager was the 2020 Coppa Italia at Napoli.

I realise they want Gattuso to come in, slap some players and get them fired up after the sluggish performances under Spalletti, but this is the wrong approach. Piling pressure on them was precisely what caused that reaction, as Spalletti himself confessed and Gigi Buffon had spotted. This is a team with morale at rock bottom that needs to be coaxed, cuddled and brought back to life. Not shouted at and manhandled.

If the Federation is flying from one extreme to another, from Ranieri to Gattuso, it means they have no clear idea on what kind of strategy they want. A father (maybe even grandfather) figure, or an argumentative drill sergeant? Rino’s approach to man-management is about as far from Ranieri’s gentle touch as you can get.

De Rossi might be a middle ground

If they really must go for a 2006 World Cup winner, then at least find a level between the two and go for Daniele De Rossi. His dismissal at Roma was unjust and entirely unnecessary, he can be both nurturing and shout from the sidelines when he has to, and he actually worked with Roberto Mancini in the Italy staff at that victorious EURO 2020 tournament. You can also bet he’d turn to Ranieri for advice, putting up the Batsignal in times of need.

De Rossi would at least feel like there was some logical progress from one choice to the other, whereas Gattuso is a sign they’re just throwing names into a hat and hoping for the best. That’s what got us into this mess in the first place.