Sports

Gattuso reveals role model as Italy coach: ‘Copy and paste’

Published

2 hours ago

24 December 2025

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gennaro Gattuso confirmed during his latest interview that Marcello Lippi is his role model as Italy’s head coach: ‘I copy and paste what he did.’

Lippi was Italy’s head coach in 2006 when the Azzurri won the World Cup. Gattuso was part of that legendary team, and Lippi remains a role model for the former midfielder.

Gattuso on what he learned from Lippi

BERLIN - JULY 9: Gennaro Gattuso (R) of Italy is congratulated by Marcello Lippi (C), the coach of Italy, following their team's victory during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) — BERLIN – JULY 9: Gennaro Gattuso (R) of Italy is congratulated by Marcello Lippi (C), the coach of Italy, following their team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“Since I’ve been the Italy coach, I’ve done a copy and paste of what he had done,” Gattuso told Vivo Azzurro via TMW.

“Being true and coherent, there’s just one way if you want to create a group. Give that extra trust to a player when he’s struggling a bit and try to help. Giving a sense of belonging. He was a master at this.”

Full Gattuso interview

BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) — BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Gattuso also spoke about what the Azzurri will need in March next year to avoid another World Cup disappointment, as La Nazionale will be facing Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal.

Click here to read the full interview.