Italy are still on the look-out for a new head coach and could also bring in a new figure to act as the bridge between the youth and senior sides after learning that Gianluigi Buffon will not be returning to the Azzurri set-up.
Italy seeking a new figure for the youth team set-up after Buffon’s rejection
FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo are still on the search for a new head coach for the Italy national team after learning that neither Pep Guardiola nor Carlo Ancelotti will be taking on the job. Friday’s reports indicate that Andrea Pirlo is the new frontrunner for the vacant CT role.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported on Friday that Buffon has rejected the opportunity to return to the Italy set-up.
Buffon had joined the national team group shortly after his retirement in 2023 and had served as delegation chief until Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of May 2026, after which he resigned along with Gennaro Gattuso and former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
However, under the new leadership of Maldini and Giovanni Malagò, Buffon had been offered the opportunity to return in a more ‘hands-on’ role within the Club Italia set-up.
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)
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According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, the FIGC could still make at least one new appointment, if not two, alongside the selection of a new head coach.
After learning that Buffon will not be returning, the current priority is to find a candidate to work alongside youth team co-ordinator Maurizio Viscidi, bridging the gap between the junior and senior sides.
Friday’s report claims that Gianfranco Zola, current vice-President of the Lega Pro, is one of the names under evaluation, as is Simone Perrotta, who already works within the academy set-up.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Gianfranco Zola is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Other names that have been floated around, but are just ‘suggestions’ at this point include Roberto Baggio, Francesco Totti and Gianluca Zambrotta.
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