Former Italian footballer Gennaro Gattuso presently serves as the manager of A.C. Milan. Although he predominantly played as a defensive midfielder, he was also capable of playing as a right-back and a winger in his early career. He began his career with lesser clubs such as Perugia and Salernitana, and he spent one season with the Scottish club Rangers. However, joining Milan was a turning point in his career, as his partnership with Andrea Pirlo led the club to success in 2003’s Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup, as well as 2004’s Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana. After completing his playing career as manager of Sion, he coached at Palermo, OFI Crete, and Pisa before returning to Milan. Throughout his tenure, he was involved in several altercations with opposing players and coaches due to his bad temper. In 2010-2011, after his name was dragged into an investigation into a betting network, he dramatically vowed to commit suicide if found guilty.
Childhood and Early Years
Gennaro Ivan Gattuso was born in Corigliano Calabro, Calabria, Italy, on January 9, 1978, to Francesco and Costanza Gattuso. Growing up, he played football on the seashore.
Gattuso’s Club Position
Gennaro Gattuso began his career with Umbrian club A.C. Perugia Calcio’s development academy in 1990 and was offered his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 1995. Despite being promoted to the club’s first squad, he played in only ten games over the next two seasons before being transferred to Scottish club Rangers F.C.
After Walter Smith, who brought him to the Scottish club in 1998, departed the club, his replacement, Dick Advocaat, played him out of position as a right-back. Even though he scored five goals in 34 games for Rangers, he was transferred to the newly promoted Serie A club Salernitana for £4 million in October 1998 and had a successful season playing 25 matches.
He attracted the attention of A.C. Milan, which signed him in the summer of 1999. On September 15, 1999, he made his debut for the club against Chelsea. Following his promotion to the starting lineup, he played his first Milan derby on October 24, 1999, against Inter Milan striker Ronaldo, in which he displayed exceptional maturity and tenacity and earned praise from Milan fans.
Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti utilized him in a deeper role as a defensive midfielder in an attacking partnership with midfield playmaker Andrea Pirlo after being impressed by his ability to recover the ball. This partnership was instrumental in Milan’s 2003 Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup victories, as well as 2004’s Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana triumphs.
During this time, his contract with the club was extended twice, in June 2003 and October 2004, and he was a member of the Milan squad that reached the UEFA Champions League Final in 2005. On 26 September 2006, following his 300th appearance for the club in a Champions League match against Lille, his contract was extended by one year.
The following season, he helped Milan reach the Champions League final for the second time in his career, and on May 23, 2007, they defeated Liverpool 2-1 to claim the championship. In December of that year, he spent the Serie A winter break training with his former team Rangers while on Christmas vacation in Scotland.
The following year, in December 2009, he was injured during a league match against Catania and required surgery in Antwerp, Belgium. In May, one month ahead of schedule, he returned to the Milan bench for the match against Juventus.
On August 22, 2009, he played his 400th match for the organization. During the 2010-2011 season, he ended a three-year goal hiatus by scoring twice against Juventus and Cagliari. On September 9, 2011, in the first game of the 2011–12 Serie A season against Lazio, he collided with teammate Alessandro Nesta before being replaced 20 minutes into the game. Later, he was diagnosed with sixth cranial nerve neuropathy on the left, which caused double vision.
He chose not to renew his contract with Milan, which expired in June 2012 and joined Swiss club Sion on June 15. On February 25, 2013, he was consequently named the new manager of Sion.
Gattuso’s International Profession
Gennaro Gattuso was named to the Italy under-18 squad for the 1995 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championships, which Spain won. Italy won the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship by defeating the Czech Republic in the final.
He made his senior international debut against Sweden on February 23, 2000, and scored the lone goal in his first start for Italy against England on November 15, 2000. He played for Italy 73 times at the senior level, including appearances in the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 Confederations Cup, and 2010 World Cup.
He was awarded ‘Man of the Match honors for his performance in Italy’s 3–0 quarterfinal victory over Ukraine. He played a pivotal role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory. On November 19, 2008, he wore the captain’s insignia after Fabio Cannavaro was replaced during an international friendly against Greece.
Gennaro’s Management Profession
In July 2011, while still playing for A.C. Milan, Gennaro Gattuso attended and passed the UEFA A Licence coaching course. In February of 2013, he began his managerial tenure with Sion, but he terminated his contract in May of that year to become a manager at Palermo.
Following his dismissal from Palermo in September 2013, he was named manager of Superleague Greece club OFI Crete in June 2014 and earned a UEFA Pro License in September. After deciding to leave the financially troubled club in October 2014 following a home loss, fans and club officials persuaded him to remain, but he ultimately departed in December.
Next, he led Lega Pro club Pisa to promotion to Serie B, earning him recognition. In May of 2017, he was appointed coach of the A.C. Milan Primavera under-19 squad, and on November 27, 2017, he was named head coach of the first team after Vincenzo Montella was fired.
Awards & Achievements
In 2006, Gennaro Gattuso led Italy to the FIFA World Cup title and was selected to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. He is a member of the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame.
Personal History and Legacy
Gennaro Gattuso is married to Monica Romano, a Scottish woman of Italian descent whom he encountered in Toronto, Canada while playing for the Rangers in an exhibition game. There is a daughter named Gabriella and a son named Francesco in the family.
Estimated Net Worth
Gennaro Gattuso is one of the wealthiest and most renowned soccer players in the world. Based on our investigation of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Gennaro Gattuso has a net worth of $5 million.
Trivia
After Italy defeated France in the 2006 World Cup final on penalties, Gennaro Gattuso gained notoriety for sprinting around in his underwear until FIFA officials compelled him to cover up.