Gianluigi Buffon remains adamant that Gennaro Gattuso was the 'right' man to take charge of the Italy national team despite his failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and insists that a missed penalty in the play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina will not change his mind.
Buffon spent several years serving as Italy's delegation chief before stepping down immediately after the World Cup play-off final loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, which also led to the departures of Gattuso and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
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)
Speaking on the Corriere dello Sport's Tutto in Piazza podcast, Buffon spoke about his decision to step away from the Italy set-up, his role in the appointment of Gattuso and the fact that he would not do things differently if he were given a second chance.
It was put to Buffon that after the failure to qualify for the World Cup, he was one of the few individuals that came out of the backlash relatively unscathed.
"I left the national team well because I'm one of the few Italians who takes responsibility and leaves at the right time, but so many others are intent on returning or sticking around. I don't," Buffon argued.
"I decided to take time for myself this year, to continue growing as a person, to spend time with my family and children who are growing up and are at an age where it's important to have the support and presence of your parents," he said when discussing his decision to step away.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 07: Head of Italy delegation Gianluigi Buffon reacts during a Italy training session at Bozsik Stadion on September 07, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
If given the chance, he would not change his approach or the decisions that he made while working in the Italy set-up: "I made and have always made decisions based on what I think, deep down, is the right thing to do."
And though he played a big role in the appointment of Gattuso, Buffon still feels that he was the right man in the circumstances.
"I pushed to bring him in as a coach and I would do the same now. He was the right man for the moment that we were going through. One missed penalty will not change my mind."
