Milan icon Ruud Gullit has called for Italy to revert to their core footballing identity to regain national pride. He emphasized, “Your DNA is the best defenders, the tiki-taka football is not for everyone.”
Gullit, who was part of Serie A’s golden era when foreign player limits were stricter, shared his perspective with Sky Sport Italia on Italy’s recent World Cup qualification failures.
Gullit Advocates for a Return to Italian Footballing Values
“You have to go back to the Italian DNA, which is good defenders, good goalkeepers, and good strikers,” Gullit stated. He pointed to the recent European Championship win as an example, noting its reliance on strong defenders like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. “That is your DNA, the best defenders.”
While Bonucci himself has expressed interest in Pep Guardiola potentially coaching the national team, Gullit believes the focus should be different. “I don’t mean you need to park the bus, but once upon a time there was Paolo Maldini in defence, while Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or for Italy. Defending is important.
“Now everyone wants to do the tiki-taka football playing out from their own penalty area, but that is not for everyone.”
During his illustrious Serie A career, Gullit made 178 appearances, scoring 62 goals and providing 46 assists, primarily for Milan and also with Sampdoria before his move to Chelsea in 1995. His trophy cabinet includes three Serie A titles, two Champions League trophies, two European Super Cups, an Intercontinental Cup, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles with Milan, as well as a Coppa Italia with Sampdoria.
