Sky: Gattuso the leading candidate for Italy job | OneFootball

Sky Sport Italia reports ex-Italy star Gennaro Gattuso has become the leading candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as the Azzurri head coach.

Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Gattuso, a former Milan and Italy midfielder, is the FIGC’s new primary candidate to become the Azzurri head coach.

Sky: Gattuso leading candidate for Italy job

Marseillle coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on in the rain during the warm up ahead of the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and FC Metz at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, on February 9, 2024. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Gattuso’s name had already emerged from earlier reports, which even mentioned Roberto Mancini, Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro as contenders for the job.

According to Di Marzio, the FIGC is now mainly focusing on Gattuso, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner.

Marseillle’s Italian head coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on prior to the French L1 football match between Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Francis-Le Ble stadium in Brest, western France, on February 18, 2024. (Photo by FRED TANNEAU / AFP) (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Claudio Ranieri, a former Roma coach and now advisor to the Giallorossi owners, was the primary option but rejected the FIGC proposal on Tuesday.

Stefano Pioli was also in line to replace Spalletti, but the ex-Milan coach has already reached a verbal agreement with Fiorentina, according to Football Italia sources.

La Nazionale secured a 2-0 win over Moldova on Tuesday, in Spalletti’s final game as their head coach.

How Ranieri explained Italy snub

TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I thank President Gravina for the opportunity; it’s a great honour. However, I have reflected and decided to remain fully committed to my new role at Roma,” Ranieri told ANSA.

“The Friedkins gave me full support, backing me regardless of any decision I could make about the national team; this decision is mine.”