Buffon’s Italy Future Depends on Gattuso’s Results | OneFootball

Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon has admitted that if Gennaro Gattuso fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, he will take responsibility and ‘take a step back.’

Gattuso was appointed as Italy’s head coach at the beginning of June to replace Luciano Spalletti.

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina picked the former midfielder alongside Italy Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon, who had won the 2006 World Cup as a footballer with Ringhio.

There have been reports that Buffon didn’t want either Roberto Mancini or José Mourinho and opted instead for a coach with significant international experience with the Azzurri.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 09: (L-R) Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy and Gianluigi Buffon during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

However, Buffon denied that he has threatened to resign if Italy had called Mancini back: “My contract ends on June 30 every year, so resignations were never an issue,” Buffon said during Gattuso’s unveiling press conference on Thursday.

We chose Rino in consultation with the President and the other professionals we spoke to. I don’t think there are good or bad coaches at this level, but rather coaches who are functional to what the team needs. It was a good moment for Rino to become the national team coach.

These are responsibilities that one tasks. Time will tell if it’s right or not. If the decision was not right, you take a step back.”

Buffon’s words mean that Gattuso’s results as the Italy national team coach will also determine his future as the Azzurri Delegation Chief.

The former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper assumed his current role under Luciano Spalletti, who the Italian Football Federation appointed in September 2023, but remained in charge for only 24 matches.

HAMBURG, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 15: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Knockout Round Play-offs First Leg match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille at Volksparkstadion on February 15, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Gattuso has taken on the Italy role in a precarious position as the Azzurri lost their opening World Cup qualifying match against Norway 3-0, leading to Spalletti’s dismissal.

Their subsequent 2-0 win over Moldova was a must and left Italy with just three points in two Group I games.

Only the group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up must participate in the playoffs.

Italy’s former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon shows the paper slip of Juventus (ITA) during the group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League football tournament, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on August 29, 2024. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Azzurri have not participated in the World Cup since 2014, having failed to qualify for the competition in 2018 and 2022. Punters around the world who are eagerly waiting for next year’s World Cup are already looking into choosing the best sportsbook from AussieBonuses.com and avid Azzurri fans are no different!

Gattuso is aware of the enormous task he’s been given as the Azzurri are among the underdogs to qualify for the World Cup.

“We need to rediscover enthusiasm and stop thinking negatively. When players come to Coverciano, they should do so with excitement,” Gattuso said during his unveiling press conference.

“Creating a family is the most important thing. Beyond tactics and technique, we need to rebuild that group spirit that has defined us for so many years.”