What Gattuso's first Italy line-up could look like on September 5

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 23: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Now that Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed the new Italy coach, his management history could give some pointers towards the kind of team he will choose.

Luciano Spalletti was fired after the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign began with a 3-0 defeat in Norway and 2-0 victory over minnows Moldova.

They will be back in action in September with crucial matches against Estonia and Israel, which will also be the debuts for new boss Gattuso.

Italy tactics at the forefront

Fresh from a second-place finish in Croatia with HNK Hajduk Split, the tactician had used a four-man defence for much of his coaching career, but switched to three in recent months.

Considering Spalletti had adopted three at the back and it is used by many of the top clubs in Serie A, it is likely he will continue along that path.

Gattuso has already worked with players like Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Matteo Gabbia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Politano.

The biggest changes are likely to be in terms of motivation and his approach to the players, able to represent the 2006 World Cup winning squad.

Unlike many Italian coaches, Rino has never been shy about looking to young players, so current Italy Under-21 talents like Cesare Casadei, Tommaso Baldanzi, Francesco Pio Esposito and Niccolò Pisilli could be bumped up sooner rather than later.

Gattuso’s probable Italy side

(3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni; Politano, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Raspadori

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