Football
ESPN staff 10y

Buffon: Conte to Italy seems 'dubious'

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon called Antonio Conte's departure from Juventus "a serious loss" but said he remains "dubious" that his former manager is ready to accept the vacant Italy job.

Conte stepped away from the Bianconeri because of a lack of investment in new players this summer, according to La Gazzetta.

- Horncastle: Life without Conte

Buffon had no explanation for the coach's move but suggested the departure will not greatly affect the squad's performance.

"We've lost a great coach but great players and a smart club remain in place,'' Buffon said. "Now we need to stay together even more and show what we're worth, disregarding Conte.''

The Italian national team's top job became available when Cesare Prandelli resigned following a poor World Cup in which the Azzurri failed to progress past the group stage.

But Buffon said he is not convinved the Conte, who won three successive Serie A titles with Juventus, is ready to take up a new challenge quite yet.

"Conte is a coach who would be well suited to any locker room in the world. People love him for his passion, his professionalism, his desire to win and his determination," Buffon told Sky Sport Italia.

"However, I heard his interview and when asked precisely about the Italy job, he seemed dubious. He appeared to be someone who wanted time for himself after such a decision."

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