PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 6: Gianluigi Buffon of Italy before the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League Group A2 match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes Stadium on September 6, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Gianluigi Buffon remains convinced Gennaro Gattuso is the “right” man to take charge of Italy despite failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and insists a missed penalty in the play-off final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina will not change his mind.
Buffon reflects on Italy departure and Gattuso appointment: ‘One missed penalty won’t change my mind’
Buffon served as head of the Italian delegation for several years but resigned immediately following the World Cup play-off final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, which also led to the departures of Gennaro Gattuso and Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina.
Speaking in Corriere dello Sport Tuto on the square In the podcast, Buffon discussed his decision to leave the Italian team, his role in Gattuso’s appointment and what he wouldn’t do differently if given a second chance.
According to Buffon, he was one of the few to come out of the situation relatively unscathed after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
“I left the national team well because I was one of the few Italians who took responsibility and left at the right time, but many others planned to return or stay. I did not,” Buffon argued.
“I decided to take some time for myself this year to continue to grow as a person and spend time with my family and my growing children who are at an age when parental support and presence are important,” he said of his decision to leave.
Given the chance, he wouldn’t change his approach or the decisions he made while working in Italy: “The decisions I made and have always been made are based on what I feel deep down is right.”
Despite his role in Gattuso’s appointment, Buffon still believes he was the right man under the circumstances.
“I desperately wanted him to be the coach and I will do the same now. He is the right person for the moment we are going through. A missed penalty is not going to change my mind.”