Gennaro Gattuso is approaching his new job as the coach of an Italy squad in crisis with the same determination and combativeness that he used to display on the field as a gritty midfielder.

Gennaro Gattuso said Thursday he is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti.Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup after a troubled start to their qualifying campaign which has left them nine points behind Group I leaders Norway and cost Spalletti his job.

Unveiled as the new Italy manager on Thursday, the former cult-hero midfielder's task is to avoid missing a third straight World Cup