Gennaro Gattuso squares up to pundit on live TV as host loses control
Reach Daily Express March 17, 2025 07:39 PM

Italy and legend Gennaro Gattuso had a blaring row with a pundit on live TV over the weekend. Hajduk Split boss Gattuso had just overseen a painful 3-0 defeat against Croatian title rivals Rijeka, and he was in no mood to speak to Josko Jelicic due to what he felt was unfair criticism.

Gattuso, who was known for his hot-headed antics during his playing days, bowled into a post-match interview with and immediately picked a fight with former Hajduk midfielder Jelicic. The Italian shook hands with presenter Valentina Miletic before brutally snubbing Jelicic and saying: "I don't shake hands with you because you speak too much."

After an awkward silence, Gattuso continued: "You speak too much and you don't have respect for the people. You played football so you know very well the situation. You always speak very bad. I don't have respect for you. You speak very bad."

Eager to get his point across, Jelicic, who spent a year in Spain with Sevilla, switched to Spanish and argued his case with former Valencia boss Gattuso.

"You played very badly," he said. Gattuso began pointing his finger in Jelicic's face and virtually squared up to the 54-year-old, responding: "You have to have respect for people. I am speaking."

Jelicic continued: "Put your hand down. You have to respect me." By this point, Miletic had lost total control as the pair were shouting over each other in a surreal confrontation which was broadcast live.

"Speak here," snapped Gattuso. "Speak of football here." Jelicic replied: "We are going to speak. I am here." The volume grew as Gattuso shouted: "Speak! Speak face to face."

Miletic then tried to intervene and begin the post-match interview, but the pair were soon back at each other's throats.

"You are speaking to someone who has won everything in the world," said Gattuso. "I don't want to speak with him. This is the last time, if you are here, I won't speak to the TV because you are a bad person."

Jelicic interjected: "You are a foreigner, you need to respect everyone here." Gattuso then switched back to English, turned away from Jelicic and said: "I won't speak with you, OK? Let's go."

Former AC Milan, Napoli and Marseille boss Gattuso took charge of Hajduk Split in June last year. The Croatian side are now two points behind Rijeka as they bid to win their first league title since 2005.

© Copyright @2025 LIDEA. All Rights Reserved.