Gianluigi Buffon has spoken in regards to the supply he obtained to return to the Italy nationwide group set-up underneath Paolo Maldini, has defined why you will need to have a determine like Claudio Ranieri concerned within the Azzurri set-up and has revealed who he would have chosen as an alternative of Roberto Mancini as the following head coach.
The legendary former goalkeeper and former Italy delegation chief spoke all issues Nazionale in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, revealed on Sunday.
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Buffon on Italy, Mancini, Ranieri, Maldini, Pirlo and Guardiola
It has been a busy few weeks for the Italy nationwide group and its supporters. Maldini was appointed as the brand new technical director of the FIGC solely to resign simply over a fortnight later. He has since been changed by Ranieri, who will likely be working alongside Mancini as the brand new head coach.
Buffon has no doubts about Mancini’s qualities as a head coach, however has questioned whether or not he’s the proper alternative for Italy within the circumstances.
“On the finish of the day, Mancini is technically a sensible choice as a result of he has proven that he has a purposeful means of taking part in for this kind of challenge. If I have been PSG, Bayern, Actual, Juve, a giant group, I might think about him,” stated Buffon.
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Many supporters nonetheless have a difficulty with the way in which that Mancini left the place of head coach of the Italy nationwide group so as to take over as head coach of Saudi Arabia on a profitable contract again in August 2023.
“That is nonetheless there,” says Buffon. “You are speaking to somebody who went right down to Serie B and minimize their wage by €500,000 with Juve, only for that sense of belonging.”
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gianluigi Buffon, Head of Delegation of Italy, appears on previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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La Gazzetta dello Sport requested Buffon whether or not there’s any reality behind the rumours that he had opposed Mancini’s return to the Italy set-up after the departure of Luciano Spalletti as head coach final yr.
“I had an necessary position, however I did not have the ultimate say,” Buffon insisted. “On the time, Gattuso was the perfect out there candidate in the marketplace for that position. There wasn’t numerous time and the play-offs have been virtually sure. We would have liked to inspire a group that was a bit dejected and to convey them again their enthusiasm and sense of delight.”
Working alongside Mancini within the position of FIGC technical director will likely be Claudio Ranieri. Dino Zoff has just lately questioned what the position of technical director truly entails, however Buffon assures that you will need to have a determine like Ranieri within the job.
“I perceive that you simply might need some doubts from the surface, however proper now, it is necessary to have a determine like that in a troublesome position. Ranieri brings a thousand private and technical ensures.”
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Initially, it had been Paolo Maldini appointed to the position of technical director, and previous to his resignation, he had sought to nominate Andrea Pirlo as Italy head coach: A transfer that was in the end blocked.
Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, particular advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it)
“I am joyful that Andrea prevented such a turbulent path,” Buffon stated when requested about his buddy and former teammate. “All this discuss in regards to the Russian web site was a political try, and it was clumsy and unsuccessful to have labeled him as ‘unappointable’.”
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Maldini had additionally sought to convey Buffon again into the Italy set-up throughout his transient reign in cost.
“It is good to speak to Maldini and Leonardo,” Buffon responded. “That they had supplied me a job as a director of the nationwide groups, a co-ordinator between the primary group and youth sides. Their enthusiasm made me think about it, however I caught with my plans.
“From 1991 till at this time, I’ve by no means allowed myself greater than 20 days of sabbatical and I wanted time to dedicate myself to those that devoted themselves to me: My spouse, youngsters, dad and mom. I wanted to recharge.”
Earlier than seeking to Pirlo, Maldini and Leonardo had additionally held talks with Pep Guardiola in regards to the Italy head coach position.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Pep Guardiola, Supervisor of Manchester Metropolis, acknowledges the followers after the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Michael Regan/Getty Pictures)
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“His title alone would have introduced a lift and we wanted that,” stated Buffon. “However having him there would not have introduced a assure of outcomes. He has been the best for 30 years, however he has simply coached at golf equipment. Being with the nationwide group is one thing completely different.”
What would Buffon do if he got the position of technical director?
“I might suggest that the principle objective is to qualify for the World Cup in 4 years’ time. On that foundation, I might have chosen Conte, then Baldini, after which perhaps a number of the others. However it’s important to have braveness in your decisions and the talent to speak them to everybody, even to the press.
“Too typically, I hear individuals say ‘that is the proper particular person’ with out having any actual qualification. Okay, however these are instinctive decisions, not ones that have been studied. The challenge has to come back first, then a purposeful particular person.”
