Gattuso announces retirement,looks to coaching

Combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso revealed on Saturday,that he will quit the Italian national team following the World Cup in South Africa.

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. “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.