The fact that Gennaro Gattuso has achieved way more than expected at A.C. Milan is not up for debate. When he was appointed to replace the vastly more experienced Vincenzo Montella back in November 2017, it seemed like this was yet another ex-Rossoneri stalwart who was destined to fail in the hot seat.

Yet while Clarence Seedorf and Pippo Inzaghi failed, Gattuso has taken the determination that was ever present during his playing career into coaching the San Siro outfit, his 65 matches in charge so far representing a number that many thought he would never see. 

That said, Gattuso is still not seen as the man to return this once highly-decorated club to their former glories in the long-term, his tactical understanding having been exposed by more experienced bosses on several occasions.  

Perhaps during Milan’s 3-0 win over Cagliari, some started to reassess their opinion of the boss once again. New signings Lucas Paqueta and Krzysztof Piatek have blossomed as a partnership, quickly erasing the ghost of the failed Gonzalo Higuain. 

11 - AC Milan fired 11 shots on target tonight, a record in a single match under Gattuso (all comps). Mentality. #MilanCagliari

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 10, 2019

“We’re starting to play our way out of the pressing game, which is what I want to see,” Gattuso said to Sky Italia after the win on Sunday. “It’s all about the two phases, defending and attacking, because few teams can afford to just do one or the other. For the last five or six matches, I think we’ve been doing that better.”

If it was just the impact of the new arrivals that had improved the performances, it would be easy to dismiss the upturn in fortunes as coincidental. However, individuals such as young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko have shown great development in recent weeks, in addition to an increase in the team’s overall effectiveness.

Gattuso may not hold the reigns at Milan for years to come but—sitting in fourth place and in the Coppa Italia semifinal—there are plenty of positive signs that may keep him in a job for longer than many would expect. 

Chloe Beresford specializes in Serie A for a number of outlets and can be found on Twitter and on Facebook via her page CalcioByChloe.