Italian Football Association executive Buffon confirms: Gattuso will serve as head coach of the Italian national team

Reuters reported on June 14 that the Italian Football Association delegation head Gianlugi Buffon revealed on Saturday that the Italian national team will appoint former midfielder Jennaro Gattuso as the new head coach to replace Luciano Spaletti, who was fired.

Buffon said in an interview with Italian national broadcaster RAI during his U21 European Championship: "We have completed the relevant work and are waiting for some final details to be finalized." He also confirmed that Gattuso is the right candidate for the new head coach of the national team.

Buffon added: "The Chairman had a very busy few days with the Football Association, but I think we finally made the right choice."

Sparetti was fired less than two years after taking office. Previously, Italy lost to Norway 0-3 in the first World Cup qualifiers, although they later defeated Moldova 2-0.

Gatuso has played 73 times for the Italian national team and is a member of the 2006 World Cup championship team. He has recently reached an agreement with Croatian club Haiduke to terminate the contract. Hayduke is third in the Croatian top league this season.

It is reported that the Italian Football Association's original first choice was Ranieri, but the 73-year-old coach refused the invitation to focus on his position as a senior consultant at the Rome club.