Boulaye Dia backs Gennaro Gattuso to succeed at Lazio

Rennes striker Boulaye Dia has expressed confidence in Gennaro Gattuso’s work at Lazio, praising the Italian coach for the progress he has made with the Serie A side.

Speaking to Flashscore, the Senegal international reflected on Lazio’s improvement under Gattuso, who took charge following a difficult previous campaign.

Asked whether he had been confident in Gattuso’s ability to make an impact this season, Dia responded positively.

“Yes, definitely. He’s showing it so far; what he’s doing is excellent.”

The former Lazio forward also defended Gattuso against criticism stemming from his previous managerial experiences, particularly his time in charge of the Italian national team.

“He’s not a magician; there is simply a lot of work behind it. People judged him on his previous experiences, but every club and every situation has its own reality. He came with a mission to accomplish, and so far he’s doing it extremely well.”

Dia’s comments reflect his continued interest in his former club, where he built relationships with teammates and experienced Italian football before returning to France.

The 29-year-old explained that Lazio’s revival was not entirely unexpected, pointing to the quality within the squad and the impact of the coaching staff. He also highlighted the importance of the team’s pre-season preparations and a disappointing Coppa Italia defeat to Mantova, which served as a wake-up call.

Now playing for Rennes, Dia is focused on establishing himself in Ligue 1 while following Lazio’s progress from afar. His assessment offers an endorsement of Gattuso’s approach, emphasising the work behind the team’s improvement rather than attributing its success to any quick fix.