It was pretty obvious what would happen to Rangers’ favourite Italian son if Italy did not make the world cup. And it was highly likely they would fall short.
The surprise choice of Rino as national manager was always a gamble, even if his CV is strong. Rangers’ favourite Italian son has had credible spells with Napoli and his old stomping ground AC Milan, and has been long-touted as a future Rangers manager.
A gamble that was always coming
But he wasn’t even remotely ready for the national gig with his country, and certainly not when Italian football is in the state it’s in.
Long-gone are the heady days of Serie A being the league players wanted to be at. Long gone are the days of Sacchi, Ancelotti, Maldini, Gullit, Del Piero, Batistuta and Zanetti.
These days Italy is the poor 5th league. It’s still a top five league but barely, and it just doesn’t have the lure of old.
It has been completely surpassed by the other four, in England, Spain, France and Germany.
So the national team has also suffered.
That the most valuable player is Tonali, who is considerably less than half the value of the highest valued player in the world (Jamal, Haaland and Mbappe) gives some idea of the fall of Italian football.
A squad set up to fail
Rino was onto a hiding to nothing. He inherited a ramshackle squad which is filled with Milan youth rejects like Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli. He had no chance.
What’s our point here?
He is touted a future Govan boss, and we feel for him having to give this a go.
Rino Gattuso very much emulated his mentor Walter Smith. He answered the call of his nation when in their hour of need.
That he failed was not his fault. Italy are just that much of a mess these days. He resigned as soon as Bosnia put Italy out of their third world cup in a row.
It’s now into Scotland territory, who were 28 years between world cups. It’s now going to be a minimum of 16 for Italy, who miss this summer’s then who knows for 2030.
A future still at Ibrox?
Rino deserved better than this, but he showed his courage, and how well Walter guided him.
Rangers’ favourite Italian son answered a winless call, took the responsibility, and can walk away with his head high.
We’d take him back at Rangers some day, because Rino will be a fine manager.
He commands respect, he is one of us, and he’s got a big heart. And people listen to him.