The Gazzetta dello Sport has confirmed that the Italian Football Federation will appoint Gianluigi Buffon as the Sporting Director (direttore sportivo) of the national team, mirroring the setup in the German national team. Buffon’s future role will not involve interfering with the head coach or tactical areas but will make him a true figure of authority within the Italian team.
Media reports indicate that this particular position originated from Buffon’s own demands. After Italy’s elimination from the European Championship, Buffon was deeply pained and disappointed, but most importantly… confused. During major tournaments, Buffon’s role within the Italian team was that of a “team captain,” but the legendary player felt like his hands were tied. He watched the team struggle and players become disoriented without knowing what he could do, leaving him feeling lost.
During that time, Buffon felt like he was just a “mascot.” He was part of the Italian team, but his main responsibilities involved signing autographs and taking photos with fans and journalists from around the world. On one side, Spalletti was dealing with numerous issues and stress, while on the other, Buffon wanted to help but was limited by his role, unable to do anything truly beneficial for the national team. As a result, Buffon resigned after the European Championship, unless the federation gave him an actual position where he could “get things done, influence the team, and leverage his experience” rather than being a mere “figurehead.”
Following discussions between FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, national team coach Spalletti, and national team organizational secretary Vladovic, a new position tailored specifically for Buffon was created: “National Team Sporting Director.” This mirrors the model in the German national team, where Löw held a similar role. The key points are threefold: first, to integrate the Italian national team with its youth teams (such as U23, U21, U19, etc.) into a single cohesive unit. Secondly, Buffon will be closer to the national team and the pitch, without interfering with the coach or providing tactical input; however, he will have responsibility over locker room affairs. Thirdly, Buffon’s duties will not be limited to national team training and matches; during club competitions, he will also be responsible for liaising with clubs and handling matters related to national team players.
In summary, the FIGC aims to establish a “club-like structure” for the Italian national team, with Buffon taking on the role of a “sports manager who does not handle transfers.” FIGC President Gravina stated: Many people believe that the coach should manage everything, and all national team matters should be left to him, but the coach is not a caretaker or a magician who can solve every problem. Buffon will not be a rival to Spalletti but a helper. The primary goal of this appointment is to “create an open, modern, and more supportive and service-oriented work team for the players.”