Gattuso's talismanic midfield partnership withplaymakerAndrea Pirlo, both at club and international level, played a key role in Italy'sWorld Cup victory in 2006, as well as Milan's domestic, European and international successes during the mid-2000s. Despite not being blessed with notable technical skills, Gattuso's pace, strength and work-rate complemented and supported Pirlo's composed, creative playing style.[6][7][8][9] In addition to his ball-winning abilities, Gattuso was renowned for his competitive nature and leadership qualities throughout his career, often wearing thecaptain's armband for Milan followingPaolo Maldini's retirement.[10][11]
Gattuso's managerial career began as player-coach of his final club,Sion of theSwiss Super League, and he also had short spells in charge ofPalermo andOFI Crete. In June 2016, he ledPisa toSerie B promotion. He later coached both the youth side and the first team of his former club Milan between 2017 and 2019, before being appointed as manager ofNapoli later that year, where he won his first title as a manager, the2019–20 Coppa Italia. He then had further short managerial stints atFiorentina,Valencia andMarseille, before taking over at Croatian club Hajduk Split in June 2024.
Gattuso was born inCorigliano Calabro, Italy. He started his career withUmbrian sidePerugia, but transferred in July 1997, at the age of 19, to the Scottish teamRangers.[12][13] The move was controversial; Perugia, unsuccessfully, accused Rangers of signing Gattuso illegally that they took their case toFIFA.[14] Gattuso revealed that he initially refused to join Rangers but accepted the move after his father persuaded him to move.[15]
Gattuso made his debut for Rangers, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute, in a 3–1 win againstHearts in the opening game of the season.[16] He scored his first goal for the club againstStrasbourg in the first round of theUEFA Cup, as Rangers failed to overcome the deficit, losing 4–2 on aggregate.[17] Gattuso received a red card for the first time in his professional career over a second bookable offence, in a 5–2 win against Hearts on 20 December 1997.[18] He later scored two more goals for the club, including a brace against Hearts on 25 April 1998.[19] This led him to being described as an "unsung heroes" by the club’s chairmanDavid Murray, who he felt "has surpassed expectations by playing so many games aged 19".[20] In theScottish Cup final, Gattuso played the whole game, as Rangers lost 2–1 against Hearts.[21] At the end of the 1997–98 season, he had made forty appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.
Walter Smith, who brought Gattuso toGlasgow, left the club in 1998.[22] Smith's successor,Dick Advocaat, did not favour Gattuso and played him out-of-position as a right-back.[23] Despite this, he was able to score in the UEFA Cup 4–2 win againstBeitar Jerusalem.[24] The Italian was sold in October 1998 to then-recently-promotedSerie A clubSalernitana for £4 million.[25][26] Prior to joining Salernitana, Gattuso turned down a move toJuventus.[27]
Gattuso was bought byAC Milan for€8 million from Salernitana in the summer of 1999.[28] He made his debut with the club on 15 September 1999, in a 0–0 away draw withChelsea in theUEFA Champions League;[29] he soon broke into the starting line-up that season, also playing his firstMilan-derby match on 24 October 1999, in which he stood out and immediately endeared himself with the Milan fans for the maturity and tenacity he demonstrated when facingInter strikerRonaldo, who was widely regarded as the best player in the world at the time.[30]
During his time at the club, Gattuso's work-rate and versatility as a ball-winner later allowed Milan managerCarlo Ancelotti to place midfield playmakerAndrea Pirlo alongside him in a more creative, attacking position, while Gattuso supported him in a deeper role, as a defensive midfielder; this midfield partnership was pivotal to Milan's domestic and international successes under Ancelotti, which included theCoppa Italia, theUEFA Champions League and theUEFA Super Cup in 2003, as well as theSerie A title and theSupercoppa Italiana in 2004.[7][31] Gattuso signed a contract extension with Milan in June 2003[32] and in October 2004.[33] During this period, Gattuso also reached the2005 UEFA Champions League final with Milan, only to be defeated byLiverpool on penalties, after initially leading 3–0 at half-time.[34][35]
Gattuso in May 2007
Gattuso played his 300th game for the club in a goalless Champions League draw againstLille on 26 September 2006, and he extended his current deal with Milan until 2011 on 1 February 2007.[36] On 23 May 2007, Gattuso won the Champions League for the second time in his career when Milan beat Liverpool 2–1 in thefinal.[37][38]
After winning theFIFA Club World Cup, on 27 December 2007, Gattuso trained with his former clubRangers to regain fitness during the Serie A winter break whilst his wife was visiting family in Scotland over Christmas.[citation needed] The following December, Gattuso suffered a tornAnterior cruciate ligament early on in the 1–0 league win againstCatania. Despite the injury, however, Gattuso played the entire 90 minutes before being diagnosed by the club doctors after the match. He underwent surgery to repair the damage on 19 December 2008 inAntwerp, Belgium. He was expected to miss up to six months of action but managed to return to the Milan bench on 10 May againstJuventus, a month ahead of schedule.
Gattuso in 2008
On 22 August 2009, he made his 400th appearance with Milan in the opening match of the2009–10 Serie A season againstSiena, wearing thecaptain's armband.[29] It was confirmed by Milan on 14 December 2009 that Gattuso would remain a Milan player until 30 June 2012, after adding one more year to his current contract.[39]
The2010–11 season with Milan was one of Gattuso's best seasons of his career, and saw him end a three-year goal drought with a left-footed strike from outside the box, which proved to be the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Juventus on 5 March 2011.[40] Gattuso later celebrated another goal in a 4–1 victory againstCagliari with a long-distance header that beat the goalkeeper, who was off his line. Gattuso celebrated Milan's 18thScudetto victory after a scoreless draw againstRoma on 7 May.[41]
Gattuso had been experiencing vision problems in early September 2011, a few days before the season kicked off.[42] On 9 September 2011, Gattuso crashed into teammateAlessandro Nesta whilst playing againstLazio in Milan's opening Serie A game of the2011–12 season. He was substituted off directly afterward in the 20th minute and diagnosed with a leftsixth cranial nerve palsy, resulting indouble vision,[43] an injury that could have ended his football career. He later revealed that he had seen teammateZlatan Ibrahimović in four different positions during the opening stages of the match, and was unable to see Nesta, resulting in the pair's clash.[42]
On 11 May 2012, Gattuso confirmed that he would not renew his contract with the club which was due to expire on 30 June and that he would be leaving Milan at the end of the season.[44]
On 15 June 2012, after being released by Milan, Gattuso joinedSwiss clubSion.[45] He had been linked with a deal to join former clubRangers in Scotland, but the deal fell through because of the club's financial difficulties.[45] On 25 February 2013, Gattuso was named as the new manager of Sion after managerVíctor Muñoz was demoted to a scouting role after a 4–0 defeat byThun in theSwiss Super League.[46]
In aUEFA Champions League group stage match againstAjax in September 2003, he was sent off during second-half injury time after slapping Ajax strikerZlatan Ibrahimović in the face with the back of his hand. His temper caused him further problems when in December 2005, at the final whistle of Milan's 3–2 defeat ofSchalke 04 in the Champions League, Gattuso was seen seeking out and taunting Schalke's midfielderChristian Poulsen[47] as a reaction to Poulsen's fierce marking ofKaká in the first leg. Gattuso insisted, however, that the press exaggerated the significance of the incident.
On 15 February 2011, during Milan's Champions League game againstTottenham Hotspur, Gattuso pushed Tottenham coachJoe Jordan away by the throat during an incident on the sideline. Jordan was seen outside his allowed technical area exchanging words with Gattuso, in relation to the relatively physical game that had been played.[48] After the game, after Gattuso had shaken hands with the Tottenham players, video footage showed him confronting Jordan and head-butting him after another exchange of words, before being restrained by both teammates and opponents. "I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that", said the 33-year-old Gattuso, but he also said Jordan provoked him throughout the game but refused to say what his comments were.[48][49] Newspapers, however, reported Joe Jordan had been usingracist, offensive calls for much of the game by calling Gattuso a "fucking Italian bastard" from the sidelines.[50] The following day, it was announced thatUEFA was looking at additional sanctions or punishment for Gattuso's actions against Jordan the previous day and had been charged with "gross unsporting conduct."[51] Gattuso was then suspended for five Champions League matches – one for yellow card accumulation, the other four for the incident with Jordan.[51] The Tottenham coach also received a touchline ban by UEFA for his involvement in the exchange.[52]
Gattuso made two substitute appearances at the 2002 World Cup, first in his nation's 2–0 opening group win againstEcuador,[61] and secondly in Italy's controversial 2–1 extra-time defeat to co-hostsSouth Korea in the round of 16 of the competition.[62] He also later appeared in Italy's two opening group matches at Euro 2004, againstDenmark (0–0)[63] and Sweden (1–1),[64] but missed out on Italy's final match againstBulgaria (2–1) due to a suspension following an accumulation of two yellow cards in the first two matches of the competition;[64] despite a 2–1 victory, Italy were eliminated from the tournament in the first round on direct encounters, following a three-way five-point tie with Denmark and Sweden.[65]
Gattuso was named to Italy's 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup,[66] and was one of the key players in Italy's eventual victory in the tournament under managerMarcello Lippi; he won theMan of the Match award for his performance in his nation's 3–0 victory in the quarter-finals of the tournament, againstUkraine.[67] He andAndrea Pirlo formed a formidable partnership in the heart of midfield, with Gattuso supporting Pirlo's creative playmaking duties with his work-rate and ability to break down possession.[7][31] While Pirlo finished as one of the top assist providers in the tournament, Gattuso won more challenges than any other player in the tournament (47 – 11 more than Patrick Vieira in second place) and completed 351 passes out of the 392 he attempted;[68][69] he also provided an assist during the tournament, helping to set upFilippo Inzaghi's goal in a 2–0 win over theCzech Republic in Italy's final group match of the tournament on 22 June.[70] Gattuso achieved a measure of notoriety for his post-match celebrations after Italy won theWorld Cup final on penalties againstFrance on 9 July,[71] during which he removed his shorts and ran around the pitch in his underpants, untilFIFA officials forced him to cover up. He was named to the tournament'sAll Star Team for his performances.[72]
On 19 November 2008, he made his first appearance as Italy's captain, taking the armband followingFabio Cannavaro's substitution in the 61st minute of a friendly againstGreece.[78] Despite having only recently recovered from a serious knee injury, Lippi included Gattuso in Italy's squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup,[79] where they suffered a first round elimination.[80] At the tournament, Gattuso gained notoriety against Egypt when he got tripped up byMohamed Aboutrika, and his shorts fell down, revealing his underpants.[81]
In June 2010, Gattuso announced that he would retire from international duty after the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa,[82] where he participated in his nation's finalgroup match againstSlovakia – his last game for the national side, as Italy suffered a first round elimination following a 3–2 defeat.[83]
Considered by pundits to be one of the greatest holding midfielders of all time,[84] throughout his career, Gattuso mainly played as acentral ordefensive midfielder, although he was even deployed on the right flank on occasion, either as afull-back,wing-back, or as awinger, due to his versatility.[5] Despite not being particularly skilful from a technical standpoint (although he was able to improve in this area with time under the tutelage ofMauro Tassotti),[25][6] or particularly tall, Gattuso was a physically strong, consistent, aggressive, and hard-tackling midfielder, with an extremely high work rate;[8][9][85] he also possessed a powerful shot, and quick reactions, as well as an excellent positional sense and good anticipation, which enabled him to excel in this position; in his prime, he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.[6][7] His energetic and combativebox-to-box style of play, as well as his pace, tactical awareness and abilities as a ball-winner, allowed him to form a successful midfield partnership with playmakerAndrea Pirlo throughout his career, both at club and international level. Gattuso's deeper position on the pitch allowed him to support Pirlo and his other teammates defensively by breaking up the opposition's attacks; he often only advanced in order to intercept the ball and play it to one of his more creative or offensive teammates after winning back possession, subsequently returning to his more defensive midfield role. His tenacity on the pitch, exemplified by his fierce challenges and stamina, earned him the nicknameRinghio (Snarl).[7][31] In addition to his footballing abilities, he also stood out for his competitive spirit, determination, and leadership.[10][11]
Gattuso started his coaching career in 2011 by attending a course forUEFA A Licence, when he still played forAC Milan. He passed the exam in July.[86]
On 25 February 2013, Gattuso was named as the new manager of Sion after manager Víctor Muñoz was demoted to a scouting role after a 4–0 defeat by Thun in the Swiss Super League.[46] Gattuso became the fifth manager of the club in the2012–13 season.[46] On 27 February 2013, Gattuso won his first match as a manager, beatingLausanne 2–0 away in aSwiss Cup match.[87] Gattuso was sacked on 13 May 2013.[88]
Later in May 2013, he was heavily linked with the managerial post atPalermo, after the Sicilians were relegated toSerie B. On 3 June 2013,Maurizio Zamparini confirmed he had a verbal agreement with Gattuso, subjected to a contract release with then managerGiuseppe Sannino. The appointment was made official later on 19 June, after Gattuso rescinded his contract with Sion.[89] Gattuso namedLuigi Riccio as his assistant, with whom he worked at Sion.[89] His experience asrosanero head coach was however short-lived, as he was sacked 25 September 2013 after achieving only two wins and a draw in the first six games of the league season.[90]
During 2013–14 season, he also attended a course forUEFA Pro Licence, after which he passed the exam in September 2014.[91]
While managing OFI Crete, in the first few months there were rumours that the players and coaching staff were not getting paid due to the poor financial situation of the club. Gattuso lashed out at media saying that it wasn't true that he wanted to leave. Throughout the press conference, he threw out curse words and banged on the table.[93][94]
On 26 October 2014 Gattuso tended his resignation as head coach of OFI Crete, following a 2–3 home loss toAsteras Tripolis, citing the club's financial difficulties as one of the main reasons behind his decision.[95] However, on the very next day he changed his mind after having been persuaded by the club supporters and the board to stay.[96] On 30 December 2014, Gattuso officially resigned as OFI Crete manager, due to the club's financial problems.[97]
In January 2015, he applied for the manager's position at Scottish clubHamilton Academical following the departure ofAlex Neil.[98]
Gattuso was appointed as the manager of the thenLega Pro sidePisa on 20 August 2015.[99] On 12 June 2016, he led Pisa toSerie B promotion after beating outFoggia 5–3 on aggregate in theLega Pro promotion play-off final.[100] On 31 July however, he suddenly left Pisa, citing "serious, constant and unacceptable" problems at the club being the reason for his departure.[101] One month after leaving the club, he re-joined Pisa as the team's head coach.[102] However, in the following season, Pisa finishes in last place with the second best defense, but the worst attack in the league, and Gattuso resigns again, this time definitely.
As of round 10 of theCampionato Nazionale Primavera (which ended on 26 November), the Milan Primavera side was ranked third (out of 16 teams) in the league's first division.[105]
On 27 November 2017,Vincenzo Montella was sacked byAC Milan. Subsequently, they appointed Gattuso as the head coach of the first team, who left the position as the coach of the under-19s.[106] He recorded his first win with a 2–1 home victory againstBologna in Serie A on 10 December.[107] Milan finished the season in sixth place.
In April 2018, Gattuso's contract was extended to 2021.[108][109][110] In his first full season in charge, Milan missed out on Champions League by one point, finishing fifth on 68 points.[111] On 28 May 2019, he departed Milan by mutual consent.[112]
On 11 December 2019, Gattuso was appointed head coach ofNapoli following the sacking ofCarlo Ancelotti the previous day.[113]
On 13 June 2020, Napoli achieved a 1–1 home draw with Inter in the second leg of theCoppa Italia semi-finals, which allowed them to progress to the2020 Coppa Italia final following a 2–1 aggregate victory; Gattuso dedicated the achievement to his sister, who had recently died.[114] On 17 June, Napoli went on to win the final against Juventus 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw.[115]
On 23 May 2021, the final day of the league, Gattuso was unable to secure a fourth-place finish for Napoli after a 1–1 home draw withVerona, finishing fifth. One point belowJuventus, who secured qualification to the following season'sChampions League after a victory atBologna.[116] The club's chairman,Aurelio De Laurentiis, put an end to Gattuso's tenure as the head coach of Napoli after one year and a half.[117]
On 25 May 2021,Fiorentina announced the appointment of Gattuso as their new head coach, effective from 1 July.[118] However, on 17 June, just two weeks before his contract was due to begin, Gattuso and Fiorentina mutually rescinded the agreement.[119][120]
On 9 June 2022, Gattuso was unveiled as the new manager ofValencia, competing in the SpanishLa Liga, on a two-season deal.[121] In the process, he became the third Italian manager to manage the club, followingClaudio Ranieri andCesare Prandelli.[122] On 30 January 2023, he left his position at Valencia by mutual consent with the club.[123]
On 27 September 2023, Gattuso signed as the new manager of FrenchLigue 1 sideMarseille.[124] On 19 February 2024, he was sacked after five months in charge.[125]
Tactically, Gattuso frequently uses the4–3–3 formation as a manager,[127] although he has been known to use the3–4–3 and the4–2–3–1.[128][129] In contrast to his own defensive playing style, his teams instead tend to play out and build plays from the back, implementing a possession game based on technique and passing; his teams are also known for their intensity and team-work off the ball, with his teams using heavy pressing in order to win the ball back quickly. His style has therefore been likened to that of fellow former Napoli managerMaurizio Sarri's in the Italian media.[127][130] Gattuso is also known for fostering a positive team spirit as a manager through his humour, and for placing an importance on his teams having a fighting mentality.[130][131][132]
Gattuso is married to Monica Romano, a Scottish woman of Italian descent. Her father, Mario, was a millionaire restaurateur who died in 2011, and her sister is television presenterCarla Romano.[133] They have two children.[134]
Gattuso's sister, Francesca, died in June 2020 at the age of 37. She had been in intensive care since February.[137]
Gattuso suffers from an auto-immune disease namedocular myasthenia since his days as a footballer. He opened up about his illness in late 2020 after he appeared on the pitch wearing an eyepatch during several games.[138]
In December 2003, Gattuso participated on the Italian version ofWho Wants to Be a Millionaire?,Chi vuol essere milionario?, alongsideChristian Vieri during an episode organised for charity. The pair ended the game on the second-to-last question, winning €150,000.[139][140][141] On the question before, when the pair were doubtful about the correct answer,Vincenzo Montella, one of the football players who were in the audience, invited them to walk away with €70,000 instead of taking the risk of answering incorrectly and dropping down to €16,000. Vieri playfully suggested selling the player ("Ma vendetelo!"), while Gattuso jokingly asked for Montella to be sent out of the studio as he was behaving like a jinx ("Porta una sfiga Montella, mandatelo via!").[140][141][142]
^Costa, Alberto; Monti, Fabio; Padovan, Giancarlo (16 November 2000)."Gattuso fa il Beckham per battere gli inglesi".Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved2 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Vincenzi, Massimo (3 June 2002)."L'Italia parte bene Battuto l'Ecuador 2-0" [Italy starts well Ecuador defeated 2–0].La Repubblica (in Italian).Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved14 November 2015.
