World Cup winner of the Italy World Cup Gennaro Gattuso has since been appointed Azzurri coach after the resignation of Luciano Spalletti.
Fenerbahce coach Mourinho, however, was also presented by a candidate by the Italian kit sponsor Adidas. The sportswear company was willing to cover part of Mourinho's wages for the Deal for the World Cup 2026.
But La Repubblica says that Buffon spends the relocation Veto and insisted that Italy had to find a local legend to lift and inspire the players after a bad start of their world cup qualifying campaign.
Gattuso was chosen after leaving Hajduk splitting at the end of last season. The former AC Milan star was also a World Cup teammate of Buffon.