Gennaro Gattuso chasing return to Italy after Valencia departure
Before then, though, Italy and England face off in a European Championship qualifier, that could go a long way to deciding who tops the group later this year. Gattuso, who spoke on radio show Anch'io sport, is happy to see his national side in the hands of Roberto Mancini, who he believes has done good work with the Azzurri - despite not qualifying for last year's World Cup finals.
"Is Italy stronger than England? England should always be feared. But Mancini has done a great job. We were left out of the World Cup because of two missed penalties. Mancini's merit is that he has given a style to the team and a mentality. We are in good hands."
"Is it right to call an Argentine in the national team like Mateo Retegui? I don't want to cause controversy but lately, I don't coach, I follow the Youth League and the Primavera, and I see very few Italians. Everything becomes difficult like that.
"Young people today play less because you don't play in the streets or in the parish anymore. When I see Primavere or Allievi Nazionali with two to three Italians and all foreigners, you have to make a reflection," added the former Valencia coach.
After the international break, Gattuso's focus will shift to AC Milan and Napoli: "Napoli have been playing incredible football for two years, but European matches are different. It will be an open game.
"It's normal that Napoli have a winning mentality now, they play with tranquillity and express European football. But both teams will fight for it."
Gattuso also explained why the Rossoneri seem to struggle more in the league than in Europe: "Milan is a team that has been playing an open style for two years now. They have to be play well physically, with the collective being strong too.
"It's a team that picks you up, plays on your weaknesses and when teams aren't physical you notice it and they can't express themselves, which we have seen in the last two years."
The Italian coach also commented on Adrien Rabiot's alleged handball, which was at the centre of the controversy after the Italian derby between Inter and Juventus, adding confusion in VAR's decision-making is hampering the game.
"You have to trust whoever is in charge of VAR and whoever has to make the decisions: yesterday that episode you see it 100 times and you don't understand if it's a foul or not. Whoever decided, decided that it was not a foul and the goal was valid.
"Until you have confidence there will always be these things."
As most football managers out of work, Gattuso is willing to get back into work - with Italy his preferred destination.
"The experience I had at Valencia was incredible. I knew they had problems, with a square against the presidency. I like to follow all football, I am someone who is very curious. I like to coach abroad but also in Italy. I have to feel trust and if you can work in the right way.
"Serie A in the last two or three years has become very competitive. It is no longer football that waits, the results in Europe are no coincidence. I would love to return to Italy, but let's see."