Gennaro Gattuso (Part 1)

Gennaro Ivan Gattuso, born on January 9, 1978, is an Italian professional football coach and former player renowned for his defensive midfield prowess. He primarily operated in the center of the pitch but was versatile enough to play on the wing when required. Gattuso's illustrious playing career saw him represent clubs like Perugia, Salernitana, Rangers, and AC Milan, where he achieved significant success.
His time with AC Milan in Serie A is particularly noteworthy, where he contributed to winning numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2002–03 and 2006–07, the Coppa Italia in 2002–03, and Serie A titles in 2003–04 and 2010–11. Additionally, he secured two Italian Supercups, two UEFA Supercups, and a FIFA Club World Cup during his tenure with Milan.


Internationally, Gattuso was a key figure for the Italy national team, participating in multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA European Championships, and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. His midfield partnership with Andrea Pirlo was instrumental in Italy's World Cup victory in 2006 and Milan's successes in domestic and international competitions.
Despite lacking exceptional technical skills, Gattuso's pace, strength, and relentless work ethic made him a formidable presence on the field. His synergy with Pirlo showcased a perfect balance of combative and creative midfield play. Gattuso's leadership qualities and competitive spirit were also highly regarded, often earning him the captain's armband at Milan.


Following his retirement as a player, Gattuso transitioned into coaching, starting with roles at Sion, Palermo, and OFI Crete. He achieved Serie B promotion with Pisa in 2016 before taking charge of Milan's youth and first teams from 2017 to 2019. Gattuso's managerial career reached new heights when he guided Napoli to victory in the 2019–20 Coppa Italia, marking his first title as a coach.
Gennaro Gattuso, born in Corigliano Calabro, Italy, commenced his professional career with Perugia. However, controversy ensued when he transferred to Rangers in July 1997 at the age of 19. Perugia accused Rangers of signing Gattuso illegally, prompting a dispute that reached FIFA, although Perugia's claims were unsuccessful. Initially hesitant about the move, Gattuso ultimately relented at the urging of his father.


Making his debut for Rangers as a substitute in a 3–1 victory over Hearts, Gattuso quickly demonstrated his prowess, scoring his first goal for the club in a UEFA Cup match against Strasbourg. Despite receiving his first professional red card in a match against Hearts, Gattuso's performance earned praise, with the club's chairman hailing him as an "unsung hero" for his contributions at just 19 years old.
However, Gattuso's time at Rangers faced challenges under manager Dick Advocaat, who played him out of position as a right-back. Despite this, Gattuso managed to make notable contributions, including scoring in a UEFA Cup victory against Beitar Jerusalem. He eventually departed Rangers in October 1998, joining Serie A club Salernitana for £4 million, after turning down a move to Juventus.


Gattuso's tenure at AC Milan began in the summer of 1999 when he was acquired from Salernitana for €8 million. Making his debut against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, Gattuso swiftly became a mainstay in the team, showcasing his tenacity and maturity in his first Milan derby against Inter's Ronaldo.
Under manager Carlo Ancelotti, Gattuso's work ethic and defensive prowess allowed midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo to flourish in a more attacking role. This partnership was instrumental in Milan's triumphs, including the 2003 Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the 2004 Serie A title and Supercoppa Italiana.


Signing contract extensions in 2003 and 2004, Gattuso reached significant milestones with Milan, including his 300th appearance and another Champions League victory in 2007. Despite suffering an Anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2008, Gattuso remarkably returned to action ahead of schedule.
In the 2009–10 season, Gattuso made his 400th appearance for Milan and signed a contract extension until 2012. His standout performance in the 2010–11 season saw him end a goal drought with crucial goals against Juventus and Cagliari, contributing to Milan's Scudetto triumph. Gattuso faced a significant setback in September 2011 when he collided with teammate Alessandro Nesta during a match against Lazio, leading to a left sixth cranial nerve palsy and double vision. Despite this injury potentially jeopardizing his football career, Gattuso opted not to renew his contract with AC Milan, which was set to expire on 30 June 2012. He announced his departure from the club on 11 May 2012, ending his successful tenure with the Rossoneri.


Following his departure from AC Milan, Gattuso joined Swiss club Sion on 15 June 2012. While there were rumors of a potential return to former club Rangers in Scotland, the move did not materialize due to the club's financial issues. However, Gattuso found a new role at Sion, as he was appointed as the club's manager on 25 February 2013, taking over from Víctor Muñoz, who was reassigned to a scouting position following a 4–0 defeat by Thun in the Swiss Super League.
Gennaro Gattuso had several notable incidents during his playing career that showcased his fiery temperament on the pitch. One such incident occurred in a UEFA Champions League match against Ajax in September 2003, where he was sent off during injury time for slapping Ajax striker Zlatan Ibrahimović in the face with the back of his hand. Another incident took place in December 2005, after Milan's victory over Schalke 04, where Gattuso was seen taunting Schalke's midfielder Christian Poulsen.


One of the most infamous incidents involving Gattuso happened on 15 February 2011 during Milan's Champions League game against Tottenham Hotspur. Gattuso pushed Tottenham coach Joe Jordan by the throat during a heated exchange on the sideline. After the match, Gattuso was seen head-butting Jordan, leading to UEFA charging him with "gross unsporting conduct." Gattuso was subsequently suspended for five Champions League matches, with one match for yellow card accumulation and four matches for the altercation with Jordan. Jordan also received a touchline ban for his involvement in the incident.


Gattuso later admitted that he lost control during the altercation with Jordan and took responsibility for his actions. However, he claimed that Jordan had provoked him throughout the game, although he did not disclose the nature of the comments exchanged. Media reports suggested that Jordan had made racist and offensive remarks towards Gattuso during the match, which may have contributed to the confrontation.

References

1.  "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Italy" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2020.
2. ^ "Gennaro Gattuso" Archived 28 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine. FIGC. Retrieved 9 May 2013
3. ^ "Previous Tournaments – FIFA.com". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
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10. a b "Palermo: Panchina a Rino Gattuso" (in Italian). Sport Mediaset. Retrieved 11 September 2014.