Fabrizio Biasin says Juventus icons were too inexperienced to help Italy | OneFootball

Italy have suffered a major disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, following defeat to Bosnia in the playoff final. The result marks another setback for the national side, raising fresh concerns about the direction of the team and its ability to compete at the highest level.

The coaching setup included notable former players, with Leonardo Bonucci serving as assistant manager and Gianluigi Buffon also involved among the officials. Their presence was expected to bring valuable experience and leadership to the squad, given their success at international level during their playing careers.

Experienced Figures Fall Short

Both former Juventus icons have been part of some of Italy’s most successful sides. Buffon was a key member of the team that won the 2006 World Cup, while Bonucci played a crucial role in Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020. Their inclusion in the coaching structure was intended to help the current generation understand the demands and expectations of representing the national team.

They were brought in to instil a winning mentality and guide the squad through a challenging period. Despite their efforts, the outcome fell short of expectations, with Italy unable to secure qualification for the tournament.

Criticism and Wider Concerns

The failure has prompted criticism, with questions raised about the experience within the coaching staff. As reported by Tuttojuve, Fabrizio Biasin said, “I think they tried to do their best, but they probably didn’t have the experience to manage certain things, because a big name doesn’t necessarily mean great managerial ability. They gave it their all, they tried to build a winning idea, a team, and at a certain point they even partially succeeded, in my opinion, because Italy had actually rediscovered a modicum of enthusiasm that had been lost in the post-European Championship months, but it wasn’t enough. That said, I think they gave it their all.”

While Bonucci and Buffon have limited experience in coaching roles, they were not the only officials involved. This is also not the first time Italy have failed to qualify for a World Cup, suggesting there may be deeper structural issues affecting the national team beyond the current setup.