Gattuso Calls Lazio Defender & Urges Him to Make U-Turn | OneFootball

Incoming Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso is pleading with the club’s stalwarts to stay at Formello, including Alessio Romagnoli.

Gennaro Gattuso Wants to Keep Lazio Leaders

The 48-year-old already has an agreement in place with Claudio Lotito to replace Maurizio Sarri. He is expected to arrive in the Italian capital next week to sign his contract. Nevertheless, the Calabrian is already active, extending his hand to some of the club’s most important figures.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Gattuso has already received a positive answer from Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni. The two men are familiar with one another from the manager’s recent tenure with the Italian national team. The winger has pledged to stay at the club following a phone call from the former AC Milan midfielder.

Can Gattuso Convince Alessio Romagnoli to Stay at Lazio?

Gattuso also contacted Ivan Provedel and Kenneth Taylor, but his toughest mission remains convincing his former Milan pupil, Romagnoli, to extend his time at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 31-year-old is a lifelong Lazio supporter, but his relationship with club president Claudio Lotito hit rock bottom in recent years due to a series of broken promises. The defender was prepared to leave the club in January to join Al-Sadd, but the deal collapsed at the eleventh hour under controversial circumstances.

The Factors that Could Prompt Romagnoli U-Turn

Romagnoli will reportedly reconsider his future, but his decision could hinge on several factors. The Qatari champions had promised the player they would try to buy him once more in the summer, but it remains to be seen if they’re still willing to offer him a three-year contract with a €6 million salary per season.

Moreover, Romagnoli will certainly consider the situation in the Middle East amid the current unrest. It should also be noted that Roberto Mancini, who was his main sponsor at Al-Sadd, is expected to leave the club and return to Italy.

Due to the aforementioned factors, the centre-back’s departure is no longer a foregone conclusion. But in addition to Gattuso’s pleas, an olive branch from the Lazio hierarchy is also required to convince Romagnoli to stay at the club, at least until his contract expires in June 2027.

Gattuso Also Keen to Keep Mario Gila

Gattuso is also urging the club to make a similar attempt to keep Mario Gila at Formello. The Spaniard’s contract also runs until 2027, and has attracted interest from a host of suitors in Italy and the rest of Europe.