Buffon: Gattuso is the right candidate for the national team coach. I have never said that if I don’t choose him, I will resign.

June 20th, at the first press conference of the new Italian national team coach Gattuso, Italian national team leader Buffon also accepted an interview.

Why did you choose Gattuso to coach the national team?

When I was a player, I worked with Gattuso and also played against his team. I always have difficulties when I play him at Juventus, and there is rationality and effort behind his team, and you can feel that right away on the court. Every time I challenge his Milan or Naples, I have difficulties. Gattuso has this fighting spirit and firm determination, and no one can take this characteristic from him. But he also believes that he needs to continue to improve and grow.

You played a key role in this negotiation? Do you threaten that you will quit if you don’t choose Gatuso to coach?

My contract expires on June 30th every year, so there has never been a so-called resignation issue. The choice of Gattuso was discussed and decided by the President of the Italian Football Association and all of our other professionals. I think at this level, there is no so-called better or worse option, only coaches who are more suitable for the current situation of the team. And now is the right time for Gattuso to become the head coach of the national team. We take responsibility for this and time will tell if this is the right choice. If the choice is proven to be incorrect, I will take a step back...