Gennaro Gattuso appointed new Lazio head coach three months after Italy World Cup failure

Official confirmation

Lazio announced on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, that Gennaro Gattuso has become the club’s new head coach, replacing Maurizio Sarri. The Roman club published a statement on its website welcoming the 48-year-old Calabrian and expressing confidence that his experience, professionalism and determination will help achieve the team’s sporting goals.

The club welcomes the new coach with satisfaction, convinced that his experience, professionalism and determination will contribute to the achievement of the club’s sporting objectives.

Gattuso’s path back to Serie A

Gattuso resigned as Italy’s head coach immediately after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing a European playoff final to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties on 31 March 2026. He had taken over the national team in June 2025 and oversaw six wins in seven qualification matches before the decisive defeat. His earlier coaching career included spells at Sion (as player-manager), Palermo, OFI Crete, Pisa, AC Milan (first the Primavera squad and later the first team), Napoli, Valencia, Marseille and Hajduk Split.

A challenging environment at Lazio

The appointment comes at a difficult moment for the club. Lazio finished ninth in Serie A last season, missed out on European qualification and lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter. The team’s finances are constrained and summer recruitment must be conducted at near-zero cost. Tensions between the ownership and the ultras have also intensified, with fans boycotting several home matches to protest what they see as a lack of ambition and investment from president Claudio Lotito.

Contract terms

According to La Repubblica, Gattuso signed a one-year deal worth €1.5 million per season, with an automatic renewal for a second year if Lazio finish in the top twelve of the Serie A table. The contract details underline the club’s cautious approach while giving the new coach a clear target.