Buffon already set for new job with retirement imminent

Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon reportedly already has a job waiting for him even as he ponders calling it quits on active football.

The 45-year-old goalkeeper is expected to announce his retirement from football in the coming days, but that does not mean the legendary stopper intends on resting any time soon.

According to reports from Corrielo dello Sport, Buffon is set to accept a role with the Italian national side as the Azzurri’s Team Manager after he hangs up his gloves.

Buffon will be taking over the role from former Italy international Gianluca Vialli, who relinquished it in December 2022 due to illness before passing in January 2023.

The former Juventus goalkeeper is set to resume the role after confirming his retirement and will join Roberto Mancini in the dugout for the Azzurri immediately.

Buffon is a legend of the national team, having played 176 matches for Italy between 1997 and 2018, becoming the most-capped player in Azzurri history.

He also won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, and finished as runner-up in the 2012 European Championships after losing the final to Spain.