The curious case of Gennaro Gattuso and the Newcastle job

Add as preferred source on Google

Gennaro Gattuso is a new name to enter the Newcastle United managerial race. Or is he?

According to the Italian media, the former AC Milan midfielder is interested in joining Newcastle on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

However, there is no mention of whether or not Newcastle are actually keen. For what it’s worth, I’d take the job for the rest of the season too!

As reported by Sport Witness, the claim comes from Italian journalist Fabio Santini, who says Gattuso could ‘land in the Premier League’ with Newcastle.

Is there any real possibility of this happening? Probably not, just like the other times Gattuso was linked with the managers job at St James’ Park.

Italian media relentlessly link Gennaro Gattuso with Newcastle

This wouldn’t be the first time the Italian media have mentioned Newcastle United and Gattuso in the same sentence.

Back in 2019, Gazzetta della Sport claimed that the former midfield hardman was an option to replace Rafa Benitez.

Of course, that didn’t happen. Instead, Mike Ashley appointed Steve Bruce. And we all know how that turned out…

But that wasn’t the end of the Gattuso to Newcastle ‘rumours’.

In May this year, Calciomercato stated that Newcastle were ready to change managers and that Gattuso had been sounded out as a potential Bruce replacement.

Again, that didn’t happen. Ashley didn’t replace Bruce.

Calciomercato made a similar claim as recently as September, reporting that Gattuso could come in if Bruce lost his job following a bleak start to the season.

All of these links in Italy, yet they’ve never gone any further. This probably won’t be the last time Gattuso’s name is mentioned either.

We see some wild rumours at Newcastle, but the constant resurgence of this line is ridiculous.

And just to briefly entertain it – Gattuso would be a poor choice if he even was a contender. A short-term contract for an inconsistent manager with no experience in English football? It would be a recipe for disaster.