Reggio Nellemilia, Italy – June 9: Head coach of Italy’s Luciano Spalletti during the FIFA 2026 qualifying rounds, and Citta ‘Del Tricolore at Reggio Nellemilia, Italy on June 9, 2025. (Photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Italian delegation chief Gigi Buffon has confirmed that Gennaro Gattuso will take responsibility and “take a step back” if he fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Gatuso was appointed Italian head coach at the beginning of June, replacing Luciano Spalletti.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has chosen the former midfielder along with Chief Gigi Buffon of the Italian delegation, who won the 2006 World Cup as a soccer player for Linhio.
It was reported that Buffon did not want either Roberto Mancini or José Mourinho and instead chose a coach with important international experience with Azzurri.
However, Buffon denied that if Italy called Mancini, he threatened to resign. “My contract ends on June 30th each year, so resignation was not an issue,” he said in a press conference announcement in Gatuso on Thursday.
We chose Rino in consultation with the President and other experts we spoke to. I don’t think there are good or bad coaches at this level, but they are coaches who work for what their team needs. It was a good moment for Reno to become a national team coach.
These are one task: responsibility. Time will tell if that is correct or not. If the decision is not correct, take a step back. ”
Buffon’s words mean that Gattuso’s results as coach of the Italian national team will also determine his future as Chief of the Azzurri delegation.
The former Juventus and the Italian goalkeeper took on his current role under Luciano Spalletti, appointed by the Italian Football Federation in September 2023, but he only took on 24 games.
Gatuso took on the Italian role in a volatile position as Azzuri lost his opening World Cup qualifying match against Norway 3-0, leading to Sparetti’s firing.
Their subsequent 2-0 victory over Moldova was a must, leaving Italy, with just three points in two Group I games.
Only group winners must participate in the playoffs that qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Azzurri has not participated in the World Cup since 2014 and has not been able to compete in the 2018 and 2022 contests. Punters from around the world eagerly await next year’s World Cup are already looking to pick the best sportsbooks from Aussiebonuses.com and Avid Azzurri fans!
Gatuso knows the enormous work that Azzuri has been given as he is one of the underdogs to qualify for the World Cup.
“We need to rediscover the enthusiasm and stop thinking negatively. If players come to CoverCiano, they should be excited and do so,” Gattuso said at his press conference.
“Building a family is paramount. Beyond tactics and techniques, we need to reconstruct the spirit of the group that has defined us for many years.”
Post navigation
