Gattuso Planning to Revive Samuel Gigot’s Lazio Career After Injury Nightmare

FolioPitch.com – 26 June 2026 | Gennaro Gattuso is ready to give forgotten defender Samuel Gigot another chance at Lazio, according to reports from Rome. The French center-back, who joined the Biancocelesti in 2024, endured a miserable second season derailed by a serious ankle injury that required surgery. Now, with Gattuso taking over and Lazio facing a defensive exodus, Gigot could be handed a lifeline to restart his stint in the Italian capital.

Gattuso Ready to Give Forgotten Defender Another Chance at Lazio as the club prepares for a significant overhaul at the back. Alessio Romagnoli is reportedly on the verge of joining Al-Sadd, while Mario Gila is attracting interest from Napoli and Atalanta. That leaves Lazio dangerously thin in central defense, with only youngster Oliver Provstgaard and a yet-to-be-signed new defender likely to be regulars. In this context, Gattuso sees Gigot as a valuable veteran option who can provide depth and experience.

Gigot, 32, arrived at Lazio in the summer of 2024 and initially featured regularly under Marco Baroni, but he was always behind Romagnoli and Gila in the pecking order. His second season was a write-off due to an ankle injury that required surgical intervention, meaning he did not make a single appearance under Maurizio Sarri. However, Gattuso is familiar with Gigot from their time together at Olympique Marseille between 2023 and 2024, where the Italian coach even appointed him as stand-in captain in the absence of Valentin Rongier. That relationship could prove crucial.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Gattuso would be happy to rely on Gigot if the defender returns to full fitness. The new Lazio boss values Gigot’s leadership, physicality, and experience, especially as the club faces a potential defensive crisis. Romagnoli’s departure seems imminent, and Gila’s future is uncertain, meaning Lazio could be left with only Provstgaard and a new signing as natural center-backs. In this scenario, keeping Gigot as a reliable backup makes sense—both for squad depth and for the locker room.

Gattuso Ready to Give Forgotten Defender Another Chance at Lazio is not just a rumor; it aligns with the coach’s history of trusting players he knows well. At Marseille, Gattuso relied on Gigot as a key figure, and he now sees the same qualities in the Frenchman. Gigot’s contract runs until June 2027, so this could be his final campaign at Formello if he fails to impress. But with a clean slate under Gattuso, Gigot has a genuine opportunity to redeem himself.

Lazio are also expected to bring in at least one new center-back this summer, but Gattuso is insistent on retaining Gigot as part of the rotation. The defender’s ability to play in a back four or back three, combined with his aerial prowess and tactical intelligence, makes him a useful asset. Moreover, his experience in Serie A and Ligue 1 adds a level of reliability that young players like Provstgaard lack.

For Gigot, this represents a last chance to prove his worth at Lazio. After a season lost to injury, many wrote him off, but Gattuso’s arrival has changed the narrative. The Italian coach is known for demanding hard work and discipline, and he expects Gigot to return fitter and hungrier than ever. If Gigot can recapture the form he showed under Gattuso at Marseille, he could become a surprise starter in the coming season.

Gattuso Ready to Give Forgotten Defender Another Chance at Lazio is a story of redemption and second opportunities. With Lazio’s defense in flux, Gigot’s revival could be one of the most intriguing subplots of the summer transfer window. The club’s fans will be watching closely to see if the forgotten defender can seize this chance and cement his place in the squad.

In conclusion, Samuel Gigot’s future at Lazio appeared bleak just weeks ago, but Gennaro Gattuso’s appointment has sparked a potential comeback. The coach’s belief in the defender, combined with the club’s defensive needs, makes a strong case for Gigot staying. If he can overcome his injury and earn Gattuso’s trust, he might yet have a significant role to play in Rome.