Italy hero applies for manager post

Gennaro Gattuso (left) up for the challenge?

WORLD Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has applied for the vacant Athletic manager’s job.

The 37-year-old from Italy, who claimed the game’s biggest prize in 2006, is among a list of often weird and wonderful applicants that also includes ex-Netherlands star Winston Bogarde.

Remembered for his uncompromising approach on the field, the man nicknamed ‘Rhino’ rose to prominence at Rangers and after moving back home went on to star for AC Milan for 13 years.

A former boss at Sion, Palermo and OFI Crete, Gattuso was also in for a job at Hamilton Academical back in January.

Athletic chairman Simon Corney, who is back in the country, has been inundated with applications and among those linked to the permanent job vacated by Lee Johnson are Iain Dowie, Scott Sellars and Alan Irvine.