Gennaro Gattuso says he thought about walking away from coaching during the early part of his managerial career, when the pressure left him with regular stomach aches and made him angry.
The Lazio coach was speaking to DAZN before his side’s away match against Juventus. Lazio have taken 16 points from their opening six Serie A games of the season, with Gattuso in his first campaign at the club after being appointed last summer.
The former Italy midfielder said his experiences working abroad had helped him develop a different approach to management, particularly when dealing with players.
“I must say that experiences abroad have helped me. We must change the players. If we want to do this job, we must get into the players’ heads,” Gattuso said.
“There are two or three things that are not negotiable. In the first years, I wanted to quit. When I got home, I always had a stomachache, and I got angry. I had to think differently.
“I tried to stay home, but honestly I missed football too much, so after two or three months, I got annoyed and started bothering the people close to me. I belong in the field; I like it. Even when the results weren’t there and I struggled. My decisions prove it.”
Gattuso’s immediate focus is on a difficult trip to Juventus, who he believes can create problems across the pitch, particularly in wide areas.
“We play against a team that makes you struggle on the wings. They have a great coach, but it’s about mentality,” he said.
The 48-year-old acknowledged that Lazio have sometimes lacked the courage and control required to dictate matches.
“We can’t manage the game; if we have to lose, we lose our way. We need to play to reference points and have courage, but sometimes we lack both,” he added.
Gattuso wants his team to begin aggressively, although he accepts they may need to defend deep at times.
“We want to start strong from minute one. We need courage; sometimes we might defend with a low block, but when we press with strikers, we must be aggressive,” he said.
He also identified the threat posed by Juventus players including Randal Kolo Muani and Weston McKennie.
“I know we might struggle against Kolo Muani’s pace, or McKennie playing as an attacking midfielder or on the wing, but we’re here to play it.”
Gattuso took charge of Lazio months after failing to lead Italy to the 2026 World Cup. He said the decision to join the Biancocelesti was made easier by their performances the previous season and his familiarity with several members of the squad.
“I came here for one reason. Last season, they proved they could play in a certain way. I had already coached three or four of these players, so it was an easy choice. Hopefully, they’ll continue.”
