New Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso is actively working to integrate himself with the existing squad and understand the team he inherited, according to reports from Italy. Since accepting the position, Gattuso has been in constant communication with players, making calls to get to know them and gauge their commitment to the club.
Gattuso, alongside his coaching staff, is meticulously reviewing footage of Lazio’s previous season to assess individual player performances and identify areas for improvement. While the club’s directors will lead transfer activity, Gattuso’s input will be crucial in determining the direction of the squad and which players to target.
The primary focus of these calls, however, is to foster team unity. Gattuso believes a strong dressing room atmosphere is fundamental to success, even before addressing tactical elements. He is attempting to build a cohesive group ahead of the start of pre-season training on July 13th.
Initial efforts appear to be yielding positive results, with several players who were considering departures now reconsidering their futures. Gattuso has reportedly been particularly persuasive with Mattia Zaccagni and Niccolò Rovella, players he previously worked with during their time in the Italian national team. He has also convinced Taylor, Gila, and Romagnoli to pause their plans to leave the club. Furthermore, he has connected with long-serving Lazio players such as Cataldi, Marusic, and Patric, establishing rapport with the team’s leadership group. Gattuso intends to continue these conversations in the coming days, employing the same relentless approach that characterized his playing career.
