Gattuso already at work at Lazio in attempt to convince Gila and Romagnoli to stay | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso is already getting to work at Lazio even though his official start date is not due for several more weeks, and Friday’s reports claim that he is doing everything he can to attempt Gila and Alessio Romagnoli to stay for the 2026-27 season.

Gattuso already at work at Lazio

According to reports from various outlets over the last few days, former Italy national team head coach Gattuso has an agreement to take over from Maurizio Sarri at Lazio on an initial two-year contract.

The Biancocelesti squad are off either on holiday or preparing for international fixtures following the close of the 2025-26 Serie A season, and are expected to report back for pre-season training on July 13.

Even though he has not yet been formally appointed, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Gattuso is already hard at work, attempting to build relationships with his new players and trying to convince some of them to stay put  for the 2026-27 season.

Gattuso has constantly been on the phone with the Lazio players over the last few days, and La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that he is already receiving positive indications from some of his key members of playing staff.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

The coach already knows Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolo Rovella well from their experiences together in the Italy camp, and it has been reported that he considers Kenneth Taylor to be ‘central’ to the Lazio project as well.

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Gila and Romagnoli are among the players most likely to leave Lazio this summer, but they are ‘no longer as convinced’ following positive talks with the incoming head coach.

Gattuso has also had conversations with Danilo Cataldi, Adam Marusic and Patric, whom he considers strong members of Lazio’s leadership group.