It used to be that the coach of Italy's soccer team was someone who had a long list of managerial achievements and was nearer to the end of a career than the start.

Gennaro Gattuso will be presented as the new Italy coach with a press conference at Rome's Hotel Parco dei Principi on Thursday after the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) announced on Sunday that the former midfielder had been given the keys of the national team.

Former AC Milan and Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed Italy national team coach, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said on Sunday. Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked last week following a heavy defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier.