Patuano's resignation was said to be the result of a fallout with the Telecom Italia's board
and its majority shareholder French firm Vivendi, controlled by chairman Vincent Bollore.Cattaneo, who already sits on Telecom Italia's board, was tipped to be Patuano's successor.
Presently CEO of Rome-based train operator Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), Cattaneo was head of public broadcaster RAI and power network operator Terna. He has also served on the boards of Domus Italia and Generali Assicurazioni.
In a statement, Telecom Italia said that Cattaneo has been assigned responsibility for the overall management of the the group, "including responsibility for defining, proposing to the board of directors and then implementing and developing the strategic, industrial and financial plans and all the organisational responsibilities to ensure the management and development of business in Italy and South America".
