Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of S.S. Lazio is in action during the 38th matchday of the Serie A championship between S.S. Lazio and Pisa Sporting Club 1909 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, on May 23, 2026. (Photo by Domenico Cippitelli / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru faces a fresh battle for his place at Lazio after the Serie A club moved to replace Maurizio Sarri with former Italy and AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Gattuso, 48, has reportedly agreed a two-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico running until June 2028, with an official announcement expected within days. The appointment comes weeks after the Italian left his role as Italy national team coach following a painful World Cup qualification playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2026.
Sarri’s turbulent second stint in Rome is set to end by mutual consent, with the former Lazio boss reportedly heading to Atalanta. The managerial change follows a chaotic campaign during which Lazio failed to qualify for European football for the second consecutive season — the first time that has happened under the presidency of Claudio Lotito.
Sarri had grown increasingly frustrated over the club’s transfer policy and financial constraints, while supporter unrest and tension between coaching staff and the board compounded the difficulties.
