Gianluigi Buffon says that his old colleague Gennaro Gattuso deserves all the praise he is getting after an excellent start to the 2026-27 season with Lazio and says that he has no regrets over his decision to put him forwards for the role of Italy national team head coach: 'I would recommend him a thousand times over in the situation we were in'.
Buffon spoke in-depth about Gattuso, Lazio's impressive start to the 2026-27 season and his involvement in the process to appoint Gattuso as CT last year in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Lazio are level on points with reigning Serie A champions Inter at the top of the Serie A table after seven matches, with six wins and one draw to their name so far. The highlight of the season came this weekend with a 3-0 victory away against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
This is despite the fact that Lazio spent well under €20m on new players during the summer transfer window, and the fact that Gattuso was coming off a difficult period as Italy national team head coach, resigning immediately after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Buffon also left his position as head of the Italy delegation after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, but is adamant that he and his colleagues made the right decision in appointing Gattuso as CT.
"I suggested him, I didn't choose him," Buffon clarified in his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport . "I wasn't the President and I don't think I ever will be. I suggested him because I knew he would create a relationship with the team, even with the little time he had available.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on prior to the National anthems prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
"He brings empathy, a sense of belonging and despite all the labels that have been thrown at him over the years, he is a great coach. He's already been in the dugout for 12 years and had the perfect charisma to lift the national team from its identity crisis.
"I've also played against his teams and recognised how organised they all were. I realised that he creates a positive atmosphere and he's very competent tactically as well. It's quite simple: If you follow a coach, watch his team, listen to his interviews and his players, you understand whether or not he's the person you're looking for."
Given that Gattuso was ultimately unable to get the job done, Buffon was asked if he still thinks he was the right person for the job.
Buffon insists: "I would recommend him again a thousand times over in the situation we were in.
"I had some reservations at the beginning, but then I saw him working with the group and I thought he's the perfect CT for that particular moment. I know a lot about coaches, I've had nine of them myself.
"And if you want him to be as elegant as Zidane, 1.90m tall and clean shaven, maybe you're looking for somebody else. But let's not talk about that anymore. To me it seems that a new cycle has begun and that brings us hope."
So, what about the job that Gattuso has done so far with Lazio?
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 18: Gennaro Gattuso, Manager of S.S. Lazio, celebrates after the Serie A match between Juventus and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
"Lazio are a reinvigorated team," said Buffon. "You can see that something has changed since his arrival. He and his staff have found the right words, the key. Lazio believe in themselves now, they have courage, competitiveness, ideas, they work together. And they have fun. He deserves a lot of compliments."
Buffon feels as though it might be a step too far to start talking about Lazio as contenders for the Scudetto, though.
"Back in August, everyone had them between ninth and 11th. Most people would've had Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma, Como, Fiorentina, Napoli and Atalanta above them. If they finish in the top seven, it's a great result. Even better in the top six. Champions League would be phenomenal."
