Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru faces a fresh battle for his place at Lazio after the Serie A club moved to replace Maurizio Sarri with former Italy and AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Gattuso, 48, has reportedly agreed a two-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico running until June 2028, with an official announcement expected within days. The appointment comes weeks after the Italian left his role as Italy national team coach following a painful World Cup qualification playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2026.
Sarri’s turbulent second stint in Rome is set to end by mutual consent, with the former Lazio boss reportedly heading to Atalanta. The managerial change follows a chaotic campaign during which Lazio failed to qualify for European football for the second consecutive season — the first time that has happened under the presidency of Claudio Lotito.
Sarri had grown increasingly frustrated over the club’s transfer policy and financial constraints, while supporter unrest and tension between coaching staff and the board compounded the difficulties.
Lazio’s hierarchy believes Gattuso’s combative, disciplined approach — which brought him the Coppa Italia at Napoli — can restore order at the club.
For Dele-Bashiru, the arrival of a new manager adds uncertainty to what had been a promising end to the season. The 25-year-old endured a mixed but encouraging 2025-26 campaign, recovering from early injury disruptions to become a regular presence in Sarri’s midfield rotation. He made 24 Serie A appearances, including 10 starts, scoring one league goal and contributing further in the Coppa Italia. His standout moment came on the final day of the season on May 23, when his finish helped Lazio to a dramatic 2-1 win over Pisa.
Sarri regularly praised the Nigerian’s physical presence and energy in midfield, while also noting that he still needed to sharpen his tactical reading and efficiency in key moments.
Gattuso’s methods, however, could suit Dele-Bashiru’s profile. The new coach is known for demanding intensity and relentless pressing from his midfielders, with players including Franck Kessie and Diego Demme flourishing under him at Milan and Napoli, respectively. At 1.86m, Dele-Bashiru has the physical attributes to thrive in a similar role.
Lazio have already shown their commitment to the Nigerian by activating his €5.4m buyout clause and tying him to a contract until 2028. Nonetheless, Premier League clubs, including Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, are said to be monitoring him ahead of the summer window, and sources close to the player suggest he would consider a return to England if the right opportunity emerged.
Much, however, may hinge on what Gattuso observes during pre-season. Dele-Bashiru enters the summer on the back of a strong finish to the campaign, but Lazio’s new direction means his place in the club’s plans is not yet assured.
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