Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could be set for a fresh chapter at Lazio following the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as the club’s new head coach.
Gattuso’s arrival is expected to offer the Nigeria international a renewed opportunity to establish himself, with the Italian tactician renowned for his demanding style, high-intensity pressing and preference for disciplined, hard-working players.
The former AC Milan and Napoli manager takes over after Lazio parted ways with Maurizio Sarri in May following a disappointing ninth-place finish in Serie A and defeat to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
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“The club warmly welcomes its new manager and is confident that his experience, professionalism and determination will help the club achieve its sporting objectives,” Lazio said in a statement.
For Dele-Bashiru, 25, the change of guard arrives at a pivotal moment. The Nigeria international joined Lazio from Hatayspor in the summer of 2024 but has struggled to command a regular starting role, though he found more consistent form in the second half of last season. He has 19 caps and two goals for Nigeria and has drawn interest from Manchester United, with Sky Sports reporting the Super Eagles player is on the Red Devils’ transfer wish list.
Gattuso, 48, previously led Napoli to the Italian Cup title in 2020 and most recently served as Italy national team coach before leaving when the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Italy are yet to name a permanent replacement, with Silvio Baldini serving as caretaker since April. Roberto Mancini, who guided Italy to the European Championship in 2021, has been linked with a return.
