PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 06: Gianluigi Buffon of Italy attends before the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between France and Italy at Parc des Princes stadium on September 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Gigi Buffon hinted that he and Gennaro Gattuso will remain on the Italy bench ‘until June’ to perhaps give the Federation time to find a new coach after World Cup failure.
The Azzurri had beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in the play-off semi-final and were leading in Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening through Moise Kean’s goal, but Alessandro Bastoni saw red and the game changed.
After the Haris Tabakovic equaliser and extra time, Bosnia won the penalty shoot-out with Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante misses.
Buffon hesitant on Italy future
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirmed he asked Gattuso and Buffon to remain in charge of the Italy staff, but it seems the situation is still fluid.
“This is a delicate moment, and we need to take the necessary time to make the right evaluations,” said Buffon in the press conference.
“Clearly, the sporting season ends in June, so until then it is only right and fair for us to be available to the Federation, the President, and all those who had faith in me.”
Italian football has been going through a crisis that is difficult to ignore after missing three consecutive editions of the World Cup and struggling at club level too.
At least this evening there was some real fight in the Azzurri after going down to 10 men, as they had the chances to win it.
“If you realised something is changing and improving, then I am very happy, because that was one of the objectives we set, but clearly the most important objective was to go to the World Cup,” replied Buffon to compliments from the Italian media.
“This is something that truly hurts and that means we run the risk of not thinking clearly, so I will stop there. We’ll be here until June, then we’ll see for the rest how the whole thing is tackled.”
Federation President Gravina hinted he will call elections next week, so if there is a new chief of the FIGC, then it could also prompt a change of management for the Italy squad.
Larisa Byron
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