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Gattuso announces retirement, looks to coaching

SoccerNews in Serie A, World Cup 12 Jun 2010

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Combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso revealed on Saturday that he will quit the Italian national team following the World Cup here.

Just two days before the world champions’ opener against Paraguay in Cape Town, the veteran AC Milan star said it was time to call it a day, but also expressed his desire to one day become Italy coach.

Gattuso thus became the second Italy player from the current 23-man squad to reveal he will be calling it a day following captain Fabio Cannavaro.

“I’m (turning) 33 and given the position I play in it’s only right to move over for those with more gas,” he said from Italy’s Casa Azzurri.

“After that my dream is to go to the World Cup as Italy coach.”

This is the former Rangers player’s third World Cup and he was a first choice starter four years ago as Italy claimed the title with a penalty shoot-out victory over France in the final in Berlin.

Now, however, Gattuso is no longer a guaranteed starter and also struggled this season to break into Milan’s first XI.

Even so, the 32-year-old insisted that he still deserves his place in the squad.

“I’ve had a hard season (with injuries) and I know it wasn’t brilliant but Lippi has given me the chance to be here,” he said.

“If I have a regret (this season) it’s that I played when I was injured but you all know what I’m like, I played and I paid for it (in terms of form and availability).

“But that doesn’t mean that I’m finished. I’ve still got the desire and the determination and I hope to show it.

“And even if they ask me to carry the water, I’ll do it.”

Gattuso hit out at the need for tight security in South Africa, saying this was taking something away from the whole experience.

“The World Cup atmosphere is always great but the one thing I don’t like is that everytime you want to go somewhere, not just us but you (journalists) too, you have to have a police escort,” he said.

“That’s not the World Cup, the World Cup is supposed to be about joy.

“Even if you want to go down to the shopping mall you have to have a police escort, that’s a bit annoying but otherwise everything else is great.”

As for Italy’s chances on the pitch, Gattuso seems unconcerned that they are not among the favourites and even believes that this is a good omen.

“Four years ago I didnt feel good and we succeeded so for superstitious reasons, I feel bad here too,” he joked.

“The truth is there’s a bit of fear because the first game is always important.

“No-one believes in us but we’re world champions and we hope to prove everyone wrong.”

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