Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon has admitted that if Gennaro Gattuso fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, he’ll take accountability and ‘take a step again.’
Gattuso was appointed as Italy’s head coach in the beginning of June to exchange Luciano Spalletti.
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FIGC President Gabriele Gravina picked the previous midfielder alongside Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon, who had received the 2006 World Cup as a footballer with Ringhio.
There have been stories that Buffon didn’t need both Roberto Mancini or José Mourinho and opted as an alternative for a coach with vital worldwide expertise with the Azzurri.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: (L-R) Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy and Gianluigi Buffon through the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
Nonetheless, Buffon denied that he has threatened to resign if Italy had known as Mancini again: “My contract ends on June 30 yearly, so resignations had been by no means a problem,” Buffon mentioned throughout Gattuso’s unveiling press convention on Thursday.
We selected Rino in session with the President and the opposite professionals we spoke to. I don’t assume there are good or dangerous coaches at this degree, however moderately coaches who’re useful to what the workforce wants. It was second for Rino to turn into the nationwide workforce coach.
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These are obligations that one duties. Time will inform if it’s proper or not. If the choice was not proper, you are taking a step again.”
Buffon’s phrases imply that Gattuso’s outcomes because the Italy nationwide workforce coach can even decide his future because the Azzurri Delegation Chief.
The previous Juventus and Italy goalkeeper assumed his present function underneath Luciano Spalletti, who the Italian Soccer Federation appointed in September 2023, however remained in cost for less than 24 matches.
HAMBURG, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 15: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille appears on previous to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Knockout Spherical Play-offs First Leg match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille at Volksparkstadion on February 15, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Picture by Stuart Franklin/Getty Photos)
Gattuso has taken on the Italy function in a precarious place because the Azzurri misplaced their opening towards Norway 3-0, resulting in Spalletti’s dismissal.
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Their subsequent 2-0 win over Moldova was a should and left Italy with simply three factors in two Group I video games.
Solely the group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, whereas the runners-up should take part within the playoffs.
Italy’s former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon exhibits the paper slip of Juventus (ITA) through the group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League soccer event, on the Grimaldi Discussion board in Monaco on August 29, 2024. (Picture by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Picture by VALERY HACHE/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
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Gattuso is conscious of the large activity he’s been given because the Azzurri are among the many underdogs to qualify for the World Cup.
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“We have to rediscover enthusiasm and cease pondering negatively. When gamers come to Coverciano, they need to achieve this with pleasure,” Gattuso mentioned throughout his
“Making a household is crucial factor. Past techniques and method, we have to rebuild that group spirit that has outlined us for thus a few years.”