Gattuso meeting with Buffon paves way for Italy contract | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso is meeting with Italy team manager Gigi Buffon this evening and should agree to take the Nazionale job on Thursday.

According to Sportitalia reporter Michele Criscitiello, Gattuso is in Rome for a summit with his former Azzurri teammate and fellow 2006 World Cup winner Buffon.

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)

The ex-goalkeeper was given permission to conduct the talks to see if Rino is the right man to take over ahead of September’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

It is a positive encounter and that paves the way for the decisive meeting with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, which will be in Rome tomorrow morning.

Gattuso to lead Italy after Spalletti failure

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Gennaro Gattuso of Valencia CF reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Valencia CF at Reale Arena on November 06, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Italy need a new coach after Luciano Spalletti was sacked in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Norway, even though he remained in his post to see out the final match, a 2-0 win against Moldova on Monday.

Claudio Ranieri had been offered the role, but had already given his commitment to stay on at Roma as a special advisor.

Gattuso was a free agent, having left HNK Hajduk Split by mutual consent earlier this week.