Italy team manager Gigi Buffon confirms they will appoint Gennaro Gattuso as the new coach. ‘We made the best possible decision.’
The Azzurri were without a tactician after sacking Luciano Spalletti in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Norway, though he remained on the bench for the 2-0 victory over Norway.
“We worked, we are waiting for the final details now,” Buffon told RAI Sport.
“The President and the Federation had some pretty full days full of various moments. I think at the end of the day we made the best possible decision.”
Gattuso will be the new Italy coach
The first choice had been Claudio Ranieri, but he had already made a commitment to be Roma special advisor and announced his retirement from coaching.
Although there were candidates including Stefano Pioli, Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Cannavaro, it quickly became apparent that Gattuso was the favourite.
There were meetings with Buffon and then with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to organise the details of the contract.
“We are trying to push ourselves first and foremost, but the most important thing is that we avoid embarrassing performances that are unworthy of Italy,” added Buffon.
“There are different ways to lose and I think we can avoid the worst kind with a few minor adjustments.”
The Nazionale are back in action with another 2026 World Cup qualifier against Estonia on September 5, then Israel on September 8.
More like worst possible decision.
Buffon should leave along with Spalletti, if he thinks Gattuso is the best possible choice. Mancini is the best choice and Gravina knows it but can’t bury the hatchet. Gravina needs to go.
I hope we’re wrong, but this is a dreadful choice. Mancini was RIGHT there…
really really bad decision.
Buffon and Gravina both should be out. They both are ruining Italy. Italy should consider to appoint Roberto Mancini. He is a fine tactician. Gattuso will be a disaster.
We are definitely not making it to the World Cup now
Best possible decision? LOL, whatever the bartender gave Buffon, it was seriously way too heavy for him LMAO
Bunch of clowns won’t even make playoff
Bad decision… will need another coach next year upon failure to reach WC2026.
Oh Dear.
Wish Gattuso All The Very Best For The Sake Of All The Loyal Italian Football Supporters.
Time Will Tell And May God Protect Us For What Is A Matter Of Convinience For Gravina, Buffon and co
a direct move for control should result in the finger-of-responsibility pointed squarely at buffon
While I am skeptical of Gattuso, what does everyone expect Buffon to say? It’s a bad choice? No one in his olace would ever say anything negative no matter who was appointed. As for Mancini, he is no guarantee either. We failed to reach the last WC under his stewardship. He is more qualified yes but this group is even poorer than the one he failed to qualify with.
Serie A has too few Italians on the rosters let alone actual players. Until we get back to Italians playing in Serie A and especially in the so called big clubs, we will struggle to qualify. Forget competing to win.
These people need to put aside their egos and do what’s right for the national team. Mancini is the right choice.
Facciamoci la croce.
why not Pioli ??
How could anyone think Gattuso is the best choice over a willing Mancini is beyond comprehension.
Confidence at the lowest. Not much to say. Good luck, and please, prove me wrong.
So… that’s another World Cup without Italia. Third in a row. But ok, let’s take it from the bright side – we don’t need to stay awake at night.
gattuso is the most experienced from their shortlist.
especially with Pioli unavailable
However Mancini is still available. Why isn’t he being considered?
Not his fault Immobile couldn’t hit the target and Donnarumma was garbage against North Macedonia
I HOPE GATTUSO CAN GET ITALY PLAYING AS THEY DID IN WHEN MANCINI TOOK US EURO 2020 GLORY AND 39 UNBEATEN
RUN AND WE WERE UNLUCKY NOT MAKE THE LASY WORLD CUP, AS MANCINI AS STATED, WHICH I ACCEPT.I WISH GATTUSO
WELL AND I PRAY WE MAKE NEXTS YEARS WORLD CUP.
Gattuso lack credantial. He has not won anything as SA coach. I think Manccini is not considered because he quited before and they could not get over it.