Buffon hails Gattuso as ‘perfect CT’ and says he would hire him again a thousand times
Buffon stands by Gattuso appointment
Gianluigi Buffon has spoken warmly about his former colleague Gennaro Gattuso, insisting he has no regrets over backing him for the Italy national team job and praising the work he is doing at Lazio after an excellent start to the 2026-27 season.
Buffon spoke at length in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about Gattuso, Lazio's start to the campaign and his part in the process that appointed Gattuso as CT last year.
‘I suggested him, I didn’t choose him’
Buffon was careful to explain his role in the appointment. “I suggested him, I didn’t choose him,” he said. “I wasn’t the President and I don’t think I ever will be. I suggested him because I knew he would create a relationship with the team, even with the little time he had available.”
He praised Gattuso’s qualities as a coach: “He brings empathy, a sense of belonging and despite all the labels that have been thrown at him over the years, he is a great coach. He’s already been in the dugout for 12 years and had the perfect charisma to lift the national team from its identity crisis.”
Buffon added: “I’ve also played against his teams and recognised how organised they all were. I realised that he creates a positive atmosphere and he’s very competent tactically as well.”
No regrets despite World Cup failure
Gattuso resigned immediately after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year. Buffon, who also stepped down as head of the Italy delegation after that defeat, said he and his colleagues made the right call.
“I would recommend him again a thousand times over in the situation we were in,” Buffon said. “I had some reservations at the beginning, but then I saw him working with the group and I thought he’s the perfect CT for that particular moment. I know a lot about coaches, I’ve had nine of them myself.”
He added: “To me it seems that a new cycle has begun and that brings us hope.”
Lazio transformed under Gattuso
Lazio are level on points with reigning Serie A champions Inter at the top of the table after seven matches, with six wins and one draw. Their highlight came with a 3-0 away win at Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, despite spending well under €20m on new players during the summer transfer window.
“Lazio are a reinvigorated team,” Buffon said. “You can see that something has changed since his arrival. He and his staff have found the right words, the key. Lazio believe in themselves now, they have courage, competitiveness, ideas, they work together. And they have fun. He deserves a lot of compliments.”
Scudetto talk a step too far
Buffon, however, cautioned against talk of Lazio as Scudetto contenders. “Back in August, everyone had them between ninth and 11th. Most people would’ve had Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma, Como, Fiorentina, Napoli and Atalanta above them. If they finish in the top seven, it’s a great result. Even better in the top six. Champions League would be phenomenal.”