After their early exit from EURO 2024, the Squadra Azzurra are once again facing a fresh start. Gianluigi Buffon is set to play an important role in this process
As the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports, Gianluigi Buffon is to be promoted to sporting director of the Italian national team. According to the report, he will take up the newly created position at Squadra Azzura in September.
Buffon has already been head of the Italian national team delegation since August 2023 and was also involved in this role at EURO 2024 in Germany. After four disappointing performances, the Squadra Azzura reached the last 16 against Switzerland (0:2). Luciano Spalletti’s team came in for particularly harsh criticism after the defeat against the Swiss.
The Italian federation (FIGC) has already responded to the poor performance by setting up a commission for a fresh start and bringing forward the election of a new head of the federation – this will now take place in November 2024 instead of March 2025 as originally planned.
Buffon to maintain contacts with clubs as sports director and build new structure
The first personnel decision is said to have already been made with Buffon’s promotion. Italy’s record player (176 caps) only extended his contract as head of the delegation at the beginning of July after speculation that the goalkeeping idol would retire.
Now, as sporting director, he is to drive forward the revival of the Italian national team in a prominent position. Among other things, the 46-year-old is to maintain contacts with the clubs. The aim is to build up the national team in line with the efficient structure of a club, in which the role of the sports director is crucial.
