Gianluigi Buffon has relinquished his post as the chief delegate for Italy after their unsuccessful bid to qualify for the World Cup.
This announcement follows mere days after Italy suffered a defeat in a penalty shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the decisive qualification match, thereby solidifying their non-participation in three successive competitions.
The 48-year-old Buffon had occupied this role since August 2023, a designation he received from the Italian Football Federation.
He continued in the capacity amidst several coaching alterations, encompassing the leadership shift from Luciano Spalletti to Gennaro Gattuso.
The ex-custodian supervised Italy’s Euro 2024 endeavor, where the squad advanced to the elimination rounds prior to their ousting by Switzerland in the round of sixteen.
Nonetheless, the ensuing World Cup qualification bid concluded unfavorably. Italy placed lower than Norway in their group, necessitating their entry into the play-offs. There, a triumph against Northern Ireland was succeeded by a loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This outcome prolongs an unprecedented streak of setbacks for Italy, as they have now failed to participate in three consecutive global tournaments for the inaugural time.
As a player, Buffon possessed a remarkable global playing tenure, clinching the World Cup in 2006 and accumulating 176 international appearances. Additionally, he led the team for numerous years and appeared in multiple significant competitions, encompassing five World Cups.