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Champions LeagueAugust 2, 2026

Buffon reveals who he will coach the Italian team

Gianluigi Buffon discusses the recent changes to the Italian national team's coaching staff and comments on Roberto Mancini, Claudio Ranieri and the importance of a strong technical director.

Buffon reveals who he will coach the Italian team

Buffon reveals who he is coaching the Italians

According to Sports.

Background

Gianluigi Buffon, a legend of Italian football, has actively discussed the future of the national team. His thoughts on the choice of coach and the role of Claudio Ranieri could be crucial in getting the Azzurri back on track, especially after the recent turmoil in the coaching staff.

Why this is important

Gianluigi Buffon's insights into the Italian national team coaching issue are particularly relevant as the Azzurri find themselves in a period of uncertainty. The appointment and rapid resignation of Paolo Maldini as technical director has raised questions about the stability of the coaching staff. Buffon's opinion on Claudio Ranieri and Roberto Mancini could influence the discussion about the future direction of Italian football.

Key findings

  • Buffon reveals who he will coach the Italians.
  • Gianluigi Buffon discusses the recent changes to the Italian national team's coaching staff and comments on Roberto Mancini, Claudio Ranieri and the importance of a strong technical director.
  • Buffon reveals who he would have chosen as Italy head coach: ‘World Cup main goal’ - Yahoo Sports.
Image Gianluigi Buffon has spoken about what role he wanted to take on in the future with the Italian national team and explained why it is important to have a figure like Claudio Ranieri on the Azzurri's coaching staff. He also revealed who he would have chosen as the new head coach instead of Roberto Mancini. The legendary former goalkeeper and former Italian national team delegation leader spoke about all things Nazionale in a wide-ranging interview with Gazzetta dello Sport published on Sunday. It has been very turbulent for the Italian national team and its supporters in the last few weeks. Paolo Maldini was appointed as the new technical director of the FIGC, but resigned just two weeks later. He was then replaced by Ranieri, who now serves as the new head coach alongside Mancini. Buffon has no doubt that Mancini is a good choice as coach, but has questioned whether he is the right choice for Italy in the current circumstances. "Ultimately, Mancini is a good choice because he has shown that he has a functional style of play for such a project. If I were PSG, Bayern, Real, Juve, a big team, I would consider him," said Buffon. Many supporters still have a problem with the fact that Mancini gave up the position of coach of the Italian national team in August 2023 in order to pursue a lucrative job to take over a contract as coach of Saudi Arabia. “That’s still up in the air,” said Buffon. "I'm talking to someone who was relegated to Serie B and reduced his salary at Juventus by €500,000 just to reflect that sense of belonging." Gazzetta dello Sport asked Buffon if it was true that he rejected Mancini's return to Italian football after Luciano Spalletti left the post of national coach last year. "I had an important role, but I didn't have the final say," Buffon clarified. "Gattuso would have been the best available candidate on the market for this role at that point. There wasn't much time and the playoffs were virtually certain. We needed to motivate a team that was a bit down and give them some enthusiasm and pride again." Ranieri was appointed as the national team's technical director, tasked with coordinating the youth teams and the senior national team. Dino Zoff recently questioned what the actual responsibilities of a technical director are, but Buffon believes it is important that a figure like Ranieri holds the position. "I understand that from the outside there may be doubts, but it is important at the moment to have such a figure in a difficult role. Ranieri brings a thousand personal and technical guarantees." Paolo Maldini originally had the role e of the technical director and he wanted to propose Andrea Pirlo as national coach, but this failed. "I'm happy that Andrea avoided such a turbulent path," Buffon said of his friend and former teammate. "All those stories about the Russian website were a political attempt, and a clumsy and failed attempt at that, to mark him as 'unelectable'." Maldini had also wished Buffon a return to football during his short tenure at the helm of Italian football. "It's nice to talk to Maldini and Leonardo," replied Buffon. "They had offered me a role as national team coordinator, a kind of link between the senior national team and youth teams. Their enthusiasm made me think about it, but I stuck to my plans. From 1991 to today, I have never taken more than 20 days off and I wanted to make time for those who took time for me: my wife, my children, my parents. I wanted to relax." Before Maldini was elected to the top spot in Italian football, there were talks with Pep Guardiola about him becoming coach of the national team. "His name alone would have given a boost and we needed that," said Buffon. "But having him there would have given no guarantee of results. He's been the best for 30 years, but he's only ever had Vere ine trains. Working with the national team is different." What would Buffon do if he were given the role of technical director of the national team? "I would suggest that the main goal is to qualify for the World Cup in four years. On that basis I would have suggested Conte, then Baldini and perhaps a few others. But you have to have the courage to make such decisions and you have to have the ability to communicate them to everyone, including the press. Far too often I hear people say 'that's the right person' without having any qualifications themselves. Okay, but these are more instinctive decisions and not ones that have been studied. The project has to come first, then you have to put a functional person at the top.

What happens next

The Italian football community is expected to take Buffon's suggestions and concerns seriously as they prepare for the next matches. The collaboration between Claudio Ranieri and Roberto Mancini will be closely watched to see how they lead the Azzurri in the upcoming competitions. Buffon's influence could also shape future decisions about the coaching position in the national team.

Frequently asked questions

What did Gianluigi Buffon say about the Italian national team?

Buffon spoke about what his role will be at the Italian team in the future wanted to take over the national team and emphasized the importance of Claudio Ranieri in the coaching staff.

Who confirmed Buffon's statements?

Buffon's statements were published in a detailed interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Why is this topic relevant now?

The discussion is relevant as the Italian national team has undergone turbulent changes in recent weeks, including the appointment and resignation of Paolo Maldini.

What changes have there been in the coaching staff of the Italian national team?

Paolo Maldini was appointed as technical director but resigned after two weeks and was replaced by Claudio Ranieri, who now serves as head coach alongside Roberto Mancini.

What does Buffon think about Roberto Mancini as a coach?

Buffon has no doubt that Mancini is a good choice but has expressed concerns about whether he is the right choice for Italy in the current circumstances.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

What did Gianluigi Buffon say about the Italian national team?
Buffon spoke about what role he wanted to take on in the future with the Italian national team and emphasized the importance of Claudio Ranieri in the coaching staff.
Who confirmed Buffon's statements?
Buffon's statements were published in an extensive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Why is the topic relevant now?
The discussion is relevant as the Italian national team has undergone turbulent changes in recent weeks, including the appointment and resignation of Paolo Maldini.
What changes have there been in the coaching staff of the Italian national team?
Paolo Maldini was appointed as technical director but resigned after two weeks and was replaced by Claudio Ranieri, who now serves as head coach alongside Roberto Mancini.
What does Buffon think about Roberto Mancini as a coach?
Buffon has no doubt that Mancini is a good choice but has expressed concerns about whether he is the right choice for Italy in the current circumstances.
What happened in this story?
Buffon reveals who he will coach the Italian team summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.