Buffon calls for a clear Italy plan after Mancini’s return

Gianluigi Buffon has questioned whether Roberto Mancini was the right choice to lead Italy again, saying he would have preferred Antonio Conte for the team’s World Cup qualification campaign.

Italy’s record international appearance holder was speaking in an extended interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday, following Mancini’s return to the national-team set-up. Mancini left his role with Italy in 2023 to become manager of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Buffon said the priority should be building a project capable of taking Italy to the World Cup over the next four years, rather than selecting a coach based simply on reputation or instinct.

“The main objective is to qualify for the World Cup over the next four years,” Buffon said. “On that basis, I would have chosen Conte, then Baldini, and so on. But we must have the courage to make decisions and the ability to communicate them to everyone, including the press.”

He also criticised the assumption that Mancini was automatically the obvious candidate for the job.

“I often hear the phrase ‘he is the right person’ without any convincing reason,” Buffon said. “He may be, but those are instinctive choices and they have not been properly thought through. The project is the priority; the ideal person comes afterwards.”

Buffon’s comments suggest he is not among the strongest supporters of Mancini’s return, despite the manager’s previous success with Italy. Under Mancini, Italy won UEFA Euro 2020, but the team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper also discussed the possibility of Pep Guardiola taking charge of the national team. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo had attempted to persuade the Manchester City manager to accept the role before their resignations.

“His name alone would have provided a major boost, and we needed one,” Buffon said. “But even with him, the results would not have been guaranteed.”

Buffon appeared to endorse the appointment of Claudio Ranieri to a senior technical position within the Italian Football Federation. Ranieri has been appointed technical director of the federation, and Buffon said the presence of someone with his experience was important at a sensitive moment.

“I understand that there may be doubts from outside, and that is legitimate, but having someone like him in such a sensitive position is crucial at this moment,” Buffon said.

The former goalkeeper clarified that he was referring to Ranieri rather than Mancini, Italy’s new head coach.

Buffon also revealed that Maldini and Leonardo had offered him the chance to coach one of the national teams. He said their enthusiasm made him consider the proposal, but he ultimately decided against accepting it.

“It was wonderful to speak with Maldini and Leonardo. They offered me the chance to coach one of the national teams,” he said. “Their enthusiasm made me hesitate, but I stayed firm. Since 1991, I have never given myself more than 20 days of holiday. It was time to devote myself to those who had devoted their lives to me: my wife, my children and my parents. I need to recharge my energy.”

Buffon, 47, retired from professional football in 2023 after a career that included 176 appearances for Italy and more than two decades at the highest level.