News
Nobody will have been happier than Sandro Tonali, after Italy’s appointment of Gennaro Gattuso.
The AC Milan legend is replacing Luciano Spalletti, who announced his own sacking at a news conference last week.
Genarro Gattuso was a member of the 2006 World Cup winning Italy squad.
Whilst at club level especially, someone who inspired Sandro Tonali, as Gattuso won two Champions League titles and Serie A, during his time at AC Milan, the club that Tonali has supported all his life.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed that Genarro Gattuso will be presented to the media on Thursday as Tonali’s new international boss.
**FIGC President Gabriele Gravina when announcing the appointment – 15 June 2025:**
_“Gennaro Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football._
_“The blue jersey is like a second skin for him._
_“His motivations, his professionalism and his experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the national team.”_
**Italian journalist Mina Rzouki had this to say back in July 2023 after Sandro Tonali signed for [Newcastle United](https://www.themag.co.uk/2025/06/this-isnt-temporary-at-newcastle-united/) from AC Milan:**
_‘He has been compared to Andrea Pirlo, but in fact it was the Italian great’s team-mate whom Sandro Tonali sought to model his game after, former Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso._
_In a short film released by AC Milan on the player called ‘Sandro Tonali – A Rossonero dream come true’, one anecdote revealed that a mug with Gattuso’s image printed on it was among Tonali’s most prized possessions._
_When his mum accidentally broke it, he painstakingly ensured each piece was glued back together._
_Like Gattuso, Tonali possesses a combative style, spirit of sacrifice and ability to cover ground. Most importantly however, he is an old school professional who cares about the game._
_Tonali was Milan boss Stefano Pioli’s joker card. Placed anywhere on the pitch, his tactical understanding of the game ensured effective execution of Milan’s tactics, whether that be to free Rafael Leao from strict marking, to defend from the front, or to act as an auxiliary striker. Tonali can play in a multitude of positions._
_[Newcastle](https://www.themag.co.uk/2025/06/2025-26-newcastle-united-home-shirt-price-compared-to-all-premier-league-big-7-rivals-interesting/) have purchased a highly motivated and professional player who loves nothing more than winning back possession and supporting the team, whether that be offensively or defensively._
_He will train rigorously, he will focus only on the game and he will ensure that one day, he will have his own image printed on a mug for a youngster to treasure.’_