Gennaro Gattuso begins his reign as Italy coach on Friday with the visit of Estonia and a contested fixture with Israel as he bids to stop the Azzurri from missing out on a third consecutive World Cup.

Italy are at risk of not qualifying for next year's finals in in the United States, Canada and Mexico after a troubled start to their campaign in June which cost Luciano Spalletti -- already under pressure from a dismal European title defence -- his job.

Gattuso, who was not first choice as coach and has a spotty record in club football management, has a mountain to climb ahead of his first match as national team coach in Bergamo.

Italy are nine points behind Group I leaders Norway after their first two qualifiers, one of them a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Erling Haaland and company.

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