Gennaro Gattuso urges 'reflection' over lack of homegrown talent in Serie A as new Italy coach highlights foreign dominance in top flight

Gattuso highlighted that 68 per cent of players in Serie A last season were foreigners, calling for a change as he spoke at the press conference at his unveiling as the new coach of Italy.

With qualification to the 2026 World Cup far from certain, Italy’s new coach Gattuso has made a clarion call for more chances to be given to the younger players without the fear of failure imposed upon them and to aid their growth.

Asked about the challenges facing Italy, the former midfielder said: “This year in the Italian championship 68% of foreigners and 32% of Italians have played and this data should make us reflect. We must give our young people the chance to grow, this is the change. Let's find enthusiasm again, the word fear must not exist."

The 2006 World Cup winner will get his term properly under way when Italy face Estonia in World Cup qualifying in September.