Gianluigi Buffon says he would have chosen Antonio Conte over Roberto Mancini as Italy coach

Gianluigi Buffon Italy national team coach selection Antonio Conte Roberto Mancini

Gianluigi Buffon, former Italy goalkeeper and ex‑delegation chief, told La Gazzetta dello Sport that while he regards Roberto Mancini as a technically sound choice because he has shown a functional style of play, his preferred head coach for the Azzurri would be Antonio Conte, followed by Silvio Baldini and other candidates. He stressed that the main objective should be to qualify for the World Cup within four years.

Buffon also criticised Mancini’s 2023 departure to Saudi Arabia, noting that Mancini cut his salary by €500,000 to play in Serie B for a sense of belonging. He rejected an offer from Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to coordinate the senior and youth national teams, preferring to devote time to his family. He defended Andrea Pirlo against a Russian betting‑site allegation, calling the story a clumsy political attempt. Buffon praised Claudio Ranieri, saying he provides “thousands of personal and technical guarantees”. He added that Pep Guardiola’s name would give a boost but would not guarantee results for the national side.

Entities

Antonio Conte · Claudio Ranieri · Gianluigi Buffon · Leonardo · Paolo Maldini · Roberto Mancini

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Buffon said he would have chosen Antonio Conte as head coach, then Baldini and others. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it
[● 5 SOURCES] Gianluigi Buffon said Roberto Mancini is technically a good choice because he has shown a functional way of playing. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · football-italia.net
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon defended Andrea Pirlo, calling the Russian‑site story a clumsy political attempt. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · meridiano.net · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon praised Claudio Ranieri, saying he offers thousands of personal and technical guarantees. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · meridiano.net · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon said the main goal for the Italy national team should be qualifying for the World Cup in four years. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · meridiano.net · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon declined an offer from Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to take a coordinating role for the senior and youth national teams. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · meridiano.net · +12 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Buffon said he has not taken more than twenty days of vacation since 1991. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon said he cut his salary by €500,000 to play in Serie B for Juventus out of a sense of belonging. www.bolognasportnews.it · www.gonfialarete.com · napolipiu.com · www.sportoggi.com · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon said Roberto Mancini is technically a good choice because he has shown a functional way of playing. meridiano.net · www.bolognasportnews.it · www.fcinter1908.it · www.ilpuntonotizie.it · sportime.sigmalive.com · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon said Pep Guardiola's name would give a boost but would not guarantee results for the Italy national team. meridiano.net · www.bolognasportnews.it · www.fcinter1908.it · www.ilpuntonotizie.it · sportime.sigmalive.com · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Buffon said he would have chosen Antonio Conte as Italy head coach, with Silvio Baldini next. meridiano.net · www.bolognasportnews.it · www.fcinter1908.it · www.ilpuntonotizie.it · sportime.sigmalive.com · +12 more