Gennaro Gattuso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gennaro Gattuso

Gattuso in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth	(1978-01-09) 9 January 1978 (age 47)
Place of birth	Corigliano Calabro, Cosenza, Italy
Height	1.77 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Hajduk Split (manager)
Youth career
1990–1995	Perugia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–1997	Perugia	10	(0)
1997–1998	Rangers	34	(3)
1998–1999	Salernitana	25	(0)
1999–2012	AC Milan	335	(9)
2012–2013	Sion	27	(1)
Total		403	(13)
National team
1995–1996	Italy U18	14	(3)
1998–2000	Italy U21	21	(1)
2000	Italy Olympic	3	(0)
2000–2010	Italy	73	(1)
Teams managed
2013	Sion
2013	Palermo
2014	OFI Crete
2015–2016	Pisa
2016–2017	Pisa
2017	AC Milan Primavera
2017–2019	AC Milan
2019–2021	Napoli
2022–2023	Valencia
2023–2024	Marseille
2024–	Hajduk Split
Honours Men's football Representing  Italy FIFA World Cup Winner 2006 Germany UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2000 Slovakia
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Gennaro Ivan Gattuso is an Italian football manager and former player. He was born on 9 January 1978. He is currently the manager of the Croatian club Hajduk Split.

As a player, Gattuso was known as a tough defensive midfielder. He played for several clubs, including Perugia, Salernitana, and Rangers. However, he is best known for his long and successful time with AC Milan in Serie A. With Milan, he won the UEFA Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2007) and the Serie A title twice (in 2004 and 2011). He also won the Coppa Italia in 2003, two Italian Supercups, two UEFA Supercups, and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Gattuso also played for the Italy national football team. He was a key player in Italy's team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was famous for his strong partnership in midfield with Andrea Pirlo. Gattuso's hard work and ability to win the ball helped Pirlo play more creatively. He was known for his competitive spirit and leadership.

After retiring as a player, Gattuso became a manager. He coached several teams, including his former club AC Milan. He won his first trophy as a manager, the 2019–20 Coppa Italia, with Napoli.

Gennaro Gattuso's Club Career

Starting Out in Football

Gattuso was born in Corigliano Calabro, Italy. He began his football journey with the youth team of Perugia. In July 1997, when he was 19, he moved to the Scottish team Rangers. This move was a bit tricky, but Gattuso decided to go after his father encouraged him.

He made his first appearance for Rangers as a substitute in a 3–1 win. He scored his first goal for the club in a UEFA Cup match. Gattuso quickly became known for his strong play. He made 40 appearances and scored four goals in his first season.

In 1998, a new manager, Dick Advocaat, took over Rangers. He played Gattuso in a different position, which Gattuso didn't like. In October 1998, Gattuso moved back to Italy to join Serie A club Salernitana.

Success with AC Milan

Gattuso playing for AC Milan in 2007

In the summer of 1999, AC Milan bought Gattuso from Salernitana. He made his debut for Milan in September 1999. He quickly became a regular player and was loved by the fans for his tough and determined style.

At Milan, Gattuso often played alongside the creative midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Gattuso's job was to win the ball back and protect the defense, which allowed Pirlo to focus on creating attacks. This partnership was very important for Milan's success. Together, they won many trophies:

• The Coppa Italia in 2003.
• The UEFA Champions League in 2003 and 2007.
• The UEFA Super Cup in 2003 and 2007.
• The Serie A title in 2004 and 2011.
• The Supercoppa Italiana in 2004 and 2011.
• The FIFA Club World Cup in 2007.

Gattuso played his 300th game for Milan in 2006. He signed a new contract to stay with the club until 2011. In December 2008, he suffered a serious knee injury but managed to return to play sooner than expected.

In August 2009, he played his 400th game for Milan. The 2010–11 season was one of his best. He scored important goals and helped Milan win their 18th Serie A title.

In September 2011, Gattuso had vision problems after a clash with a teammate. This injury caused him double vision and could have ended his career. On 11 May 2012, Gattuso announced he would leave Milan at the end of the season.

Playing for Sion

After leaving Milan, Gattuso joined the Swiss club Sion in June 2012. He had thought about rejoining his old club Rangers, but it didn't work out. In February 2013, Gattuso was named the new manager of Sion while still playing for them. He was sacked from this role in May 2013.

Gattuso's International Career

Gattuso playing for Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final

Gattuso played for Italy's national teams at different age levels. He was part of the Italy under-21 team that won the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.

Playing for the Senior National Team

Gattuso played 73 times for the senior Italy national football team. He played in major tournaments like the 2000 Summer Olympics, three FIFA World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010), and two UEFA European Championships (2004, 2008).

He made his debut for Italy in February 2000. Later that year, he scored his first and only goal for Italy in a friendly match against England.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Victory

Gattuso was a key player for Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He formed a strong partnership with Andrea Pirlo in midfield. Gattuso's role was to win the ball and break up the opponent's attacks, which helped Pirlo create chances. He was named the "Man of the Match" in Italy's 3–0 win against Ukraine in the quarter-finals.

Italy went on to win the World Cup final against France on penalties. Gattuso was so excited after the win that he famously ran around the pitch in his underpants during the celebrations! His great performances earned him a spot in the tournament's All-Star Team.

Later International Appearances

Gattuso also played in UEFA Euro 2008. He was suspended for the quarter-final match against Spain, which Italy lost. In June 2010, Gattuso announced that he would retire from international football after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. His last game for Italy was against Slovakia in that tournament.

Gattuso's Style of Play

Gattuso in 2007

Gennaro Gattuso was known for his unique playing style. He mainly played as a defensive midfielder. Even though he wasn't the tallest or most technically skilled player, he was incredibly strong, aggressive, and worked very hard. He was also good at anticipating plays and winning the ball back.

His energetic and combative style earned him the nickname Ringhio, which means "Snarl" in Italian. He was famous for his fierce tackles and endless stamina. Gattuso's main job was to break up the opponent's attacks and then pass the ball to his more creative teammates. He was a true leader on the field.

Gattuso's Managerial Career

Gattuso started learning to be a coach while he was still playing for AC Milan. He got his UEFA A Licence in 2011.

First Steps as a Manager

• Sion (2013): In February 2013, Gattuso became the manager of Sion, the club he was still playing for. He won his first match as a manager, but he was sacked a few months later.
• Palermo (2013): In June 2013, he became the manager of Palermo. However, his time there was short, and he was sacked after only six games.
• OFI Crete (2014): Gattuso then moved to Greece to manage OFI Crete in June 2014. He faced financial difficulties at the club but showed his strong personality. He resigned in December 2014 due to the club's money problems.
• Pisa (2015–2017): In August 2015, Gattuso took charge of Pisa. He led them to promotion to Serie B in June 2016. He briefly left the club due to problems but returned a month later. Pisa struggled the next season, and he resigned again.

Coaching AC Milan

In May 2017, Gattuso was appointed coach of the AC Milan Primavera, which is the club's under-19 team.

On 27 November 2017, Gattuso became the head coach of the AC Milan first team. He led them to a sixth-place finish in his first season. His contract was extended to 2021. In his first full season, Milan finished fifth, just missing out on the Champions League. He left Milan in May 2019.

Winning with Napoli

On 11 December 2019, Gattuso was appointed head coach of Napoli. In June 2020, Napoli reached the 2020 Coppa Italia final. They went on to win the final against Juventus on penalties after a 0–0 draw. This was Gattuso's first trophy as a manager.

In May 2021, Napoli finished fifth in the league, just missing out on Champions League qualification. Gattuso's time as Napoli coach ended after a year and a half.

Recent Managerial Roles

• Fiorentina (2021): In May 2021, Fiorentina announced Gattuso as their new coach, but they mutually ended the agreement just two weeks later.
• Valencia (2022–2023): In June 2022, Gattuso became the manager of Spanish club Valencia. He left the club by mutual agreement in January 2023.
• Marseille (2023–2024): In September 2023, Gattuso signed as the new manager of French club Marseille. He was sacked after five months in charge in February 2024.
• Hajduk Split (2024–Present): On 12 June 2024, the Croatian club Hajduk Split announced that Gattuso had signed a contract with them until 2026.

Gattuso's Coaching Style

As a manager, Gattuso often uses a 4–3–3 formation. Unlike his own defensive playing style, his teams usually focus on building plays from the back with good passing and possession. His teams are also known for their high intensity and teamwork, pressing hard to win the ball back quickly. He is also known for creating a positive team spirit and emphasizing a fighting mentality.

Personal Life and Health

Gattuso is married to Monica Romano, who is Scottish with Italian roots. They have two children.

In January 2010, Gattuso opened a fish shop in his hometown.

Gattuso suffers from an autoimmune disease called ocular myasthenia. This condition affects his eyes and can cause double vision. He spoke about his illness in late 2020 after being seen wearing an eyepatch during games.

Gattuso in Media

Gattuso has appeared in the EA Sports' FIFA football video game series. He was included in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 16 and later versions of the game.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Score and result list Templatonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Gattuso goal.

International goal scored by Gennaro Gattuso

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	15 November 2000	Stadio delle Alpi, Turin, Italy	England	1–0	1–0	Friendly

Managerial Statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat.	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Sion		25 February 2013	13 May 2013	&&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05	&&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010	&&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015	−5	&&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025.00
Palermo		19 June 2013	25 September 2013	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04	&&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09	+1	&&&&&&&&&&&&&037.50000037.50
OFI		5 June 2014	30 December 2014	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&-0	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09	&&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011	&&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024	−13	!—
Pisa		20 August 2015	26 May 2017	&&&&&&&&&&&&&086.&&&&&086	&&&&&&&&&&&&&028.&&&&&028	&&&&&&&&&&&&&035.&&&&&035	&&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023	&&&&&&&&&&&&&081.&&&&&081	&&&&&&&&&&&&&072.&&&&&072	+9	&&&&&&&&&&&&&032.56000032.56
Milan		28 November 2017	28 May 2019	&&&&&&&&&&&&&083.&&&&&083	&&&&&&&&&&&&&040.&&&&&040	&&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023	&&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020	&&&&&&&&&&&&0117.&&&&&0117	&&&&&&&&&&&&&082.&&&&&082	+35	&&&&&&&&&&&&&048.19000048.19
Napoli		11 December 2019	23 May 2021	&&&&&&&&&&&&&081.&&&&&081	&&&&&&&&&&&&&046.&&&&&046	&&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013	&&&&&&&&&&&&&022.&&&&&022	&&&&&&&&&&&&0147.&&&&&0147	&&&&&&&&&&&&&093.&&&&&093	+54	&&&&&&&&&&&&&056.79000056.79
Valencia		9 June 2022	30 January 2023	&&&&&&&&&&&&&022.&&&&&022	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09	&&&&&&&&&&&&&034.&&&&&034	&&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025	+9	&&&&&&&&&&&&&031.82000031.82
Marseille		27 September 2023	19 February 2024	&&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06	&&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037	&&&&&&&&&&&&&026.&&&&&026	+11	&&&&&&&&&&&&&037.50000037.50
Hajduk Split		12 June 2024	Present	&&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024	&&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08	&&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03	&&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037	&&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015	+22	&&&&&&&&&&&&&054.17000054.17
Total				&&&&&&&&&&&&0357.&&&&&0357	&&&&&&&&&&&&0154.&&&&&0154	&&&&&&&&&&&&0102.&&&&&0102	&&&&&&&&&&&&0101.&&&&&0101	&&&&&&&&&&&&0484.&&&&&0484	&&&&&&&&&&&&0361.&&&&&0361	+123	&&&&&&&&&&&&&043.14000043.14

Honours and Awards

As a Player

Perugia Youth

• Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti: 1995–96

AC Milan

• Serie A: 2003–04, 2010–11
• Coppa Italia: 2002–03
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2004, 2011
• UEFA Champions League: 2002–03, 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Italy U21

• UEFA Under-21 European Championship: 2000

Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual Awards

• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
• Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 2012
• AC Milan Hall of Fame

Special Recognition

• CONI: Golden Collar of Sports Merit: 2006
• Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: 2006

As a Manager

Napoli

• Coppa Italia: 2019–20

Images for kids

• 

  Gattuso in 2008

See also

In Spanish: Gennaro Gattuso para niños