Former Milan and Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has reportedly reached an agreement with Spanish side Valencia over the managerial role after spending the 2021/22 season without a club. The Spaniards were led by Pepe Bordalas last campaign as they failed to hit a high ranking, ending in 9th position and 11 points off the nearest European qualification places.
Gattuso was appointed the head coach of Fiorentina at the start of last season before the agreement between the two parties was mutually rescinded just two weeks before his contract was due to begin. He has been unemployed ever since.
The Italian hothead is expected to meet with the Valencia management in Singapore and delve into the details of the club’s long-term project, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. Talks have already been held once between the two parties, and the final details of the agreement are yet to be finalized before the appointment can be made official.
Valencia have reportedly kept tabs on Gattuso since 2019 before he took Carlo Ancelotti’s place on the Napoli bench. He will be the third Italian manager to lead the club after Claudio Ranieri and Cesare Prandelli.
The former defensive midfielder has led 287 games in his managerial career so far, winning 125 of those encounters, drawing 79 and losing 83 in the process. He possesses a win record of 43.55%.