Gennaro Gattuso has accepted the Lazio job while fully realizing the scale of the difficulties he’s about to encounter.
Gennaro Gattuso Ready for Lazio Chaos
The Biancocelesti have already reached an agreement with Maurizio Sarri to terminate his contract. Once official, the 67-year-old will be free to join Atalanta, with Gattuso coming in as a replacement. The former Italy head coach already has a deal in place with Claudio Lotito on a two-year contract and a 1.5 million yearly salary.
According to Il Messaggero, the Calabrian is fully aware of the great challenges ahead, including the tight budget, modest squad, potential departures of key players, and the fan protest. And yet, he is willing to face them with open arms, as quoted by the newspaper.
I’m fired up, I know all the difficulties I’ll face, but I’m not afraid of anything or anyone.
Gattuso to Keep His Italy Staff Intact
The source also reveals the identity of Gattuso’s technical collaborators. The manager plans to keep the same staff he worked alongside him in recent years, including his most recent tenure with the Italian national team, beginning with Luigi Riccio, who has been his assistant from the very beginning of his managerial career, when the AC Milan legend took over FC Sion in 2013.
Fitness coach Bruno Giovanni Dominici, who worked at Milan for 15 years, has been collaborating with Gattuso since 2017, and he will accompany him in his Lazio experience. Dino Tenderini will also hold a similar role. Roberto Perrone will be the goalkeeping coach, while Marco Sangermani will act as match analyst.
Lazio Pre-Season Dates
The Roman newspaper also notes that the players are expected to report to Formello by July 10 to undergo the necessary medical tests, while pre-season preparations will begin on July 13.
I mean, at least someone was willing to take responsibility for the debacle that’s about to occur for a few years at Lazio.
Maybe I’m wrong, but the short term objective is probably to avoid relegation.
Spot on I reckon.
Hi John,
The team we have is a mid-table team & we now have a mid-table coach to add. Last season I predicted to my friends & cousins that Lazio would finish mid table & we did.
Unless Lotito open his wallet, expect more of the same, I can’t see us fighting in the relegation zone.
Besides, the thing I didn’t like about Sarri was his constant whinging & he taking out internal issues & making them public. This to me meant he wasn’t 100% concentrating on coaching.
Let’s see how he goes at Atalanta but for next year, Lazio will finish mid-table again.
The day Lotito opens his wallet, that would be the day when Palermo wins Champions League & Brescia wins Europa League, mate.