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

Currently, the Azzurri are already nine points behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group — albeit having played two matches fewer than the leader. Gattuso's debut will be at home to Estonia on Sept.

Italy's new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday pledged to restore enthusiasm and create "a family" at the battered national team, aiming to secure qualification for the next World Cup after the Azzurri missed out twice in a row.