Gianluigi Buffon says that if he had been selecting a head coach for Italy, he would have chosen Claudio Ranieri, citing the importance of having an experienced figure involved in the national team setup. Buffon’s comments come after he discusses an offer he received to return to Italy’s setup under director Paolo Maldini. He frames the decision around a clear objective for the team, describing the World Cup as the main goal. Buffon also explains that the presence of Ranieri would bring the kind of guidance and know-how he believes helps teams prepare for major tournaments. The remarks highlight Buffon’s perspective on coaching leadership and how Italy should be structured to pursue long-term success. While Buffon does not indicate that he is taking on the role, his statements outline how he would approach selecting a coach and the priorities he associates with that choice.