Cannavaro reveals how close he was to becoming Italy CT: ‘I spoke with Buffon’

Fabio Cannavaro has explained how close he was to becoming the successor to Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team, and has revealed which other nation he came close to taking over before taking on his current role with Uzbekistan.

The 2006 World Cup winner, who was appointed as head coach of Uzbekistan in October,  has given an in-depth interview with Tuttosport, in which he discussed his career prospects and his ambitions for the summer.

Cannavaro was among the names linked with the Italy national team job after the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti in June. In the end, the job went to his former national team colleague Gennaro Gattuso, who will guide the Azzurri into the World Cup play-offs in March.

Cannavaro on Italy, Poland and Uzbekistan jobs: ‘I got tired of waiting’

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Fabio Cannavaro, Head Coach of GNK Dinamo reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Arsenal FC and GNK Dinamo at on January 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Cannavaro told Tuttosport that he did have conversations regarding the Italy national team job, but that he never truly felt like a genuine candidate.

“I’ll be honest. I spoke with Buffon, but I wasn’t really in contention,” Cannavaro said. “I had a great past as a footballer, but maybe they saw me as a poster boy more than anything. I won’t give up on coaching, I will continue. I agree with Gattuso’s choices, he’s someone who studies a lot.”

Cannavaro also revealed that he had an opportunity to become the head coach of Poland shortly after the Italy post came up, a job which he ultimately turned down.

“Yes, I was one step away and then said no. I didn’t feel like it, and that was a mistake, the biggest since I came back from China. I might have said no because I was waiting for Italy. That was my idea, but nothing came of it and then I got tired of waiting.”

Still, in his role as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro is guaranteed a place at the World Cup, while Gattuso and Italy are not.

“I’ll be back 20 years after that victory in Germany,” he said. “It was a great feeling being in the meeting with all the coaches who will be there in America.”

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: Fabio Cannavaro, Head Coach of Uzbekistan, attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

And what was it like meeting his players for the first time in Uzbekistan?

“They were all in awe when they first met me. I understood them and put them at ease to break the ice. I know why they qualified. They’re a tough national side and the Uzbeks are determined people.

“I don’t have much time and have to find solutions quickly. I’ve watched a lot of matches, I’ve toured the country. Now the league is over and we’re going to follow the other championships where Uzbek players are involved . I call them every week, especially Shomurodov who speaks pretty good Italian. He’s in Turkey with Basaksehir now.”

Uzbekistan will face Colombia, Portugal and possibly DR Congo in the World Cup group stage.

When suggested that this is ‘not a walk in the park’, Cannavaro replied: “No, I wouldn’t say so, but we will be prepared when we get to those games. We’ll play against Colombia first, my friend Asprilla has already called and given me some suggestions.”