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Jose Mourinho was being considered for the role of Italy coach before Azzurri legend Gianluigi Buffon vetoed his appointment — according to reports from Italy.
Italy last week appointed former AC Milan and Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso, as the successor to Luciano Spalletti.
The Italian Federation acted quickly to bring in the 47-year-old as their new national coach with Spalletti given his marching orders after Italy's dismal 3-0 defeat by Norway in Oslo on June 6.
Before they settled on Gattuso, however, they came very close to appointing Mourinho — according to La Repubblica.
The report explains that the national team's kit supplier, Adidas, were ready to cover part of the Portuguese's boss' salary. Mourinho is an Adidas ambassador and has had a close relationship with the German company for over a decade.
Nonetheless, the Italian Federation would have had to fork out a significant compensation fee to Fenerbahce with the Special One still contracted to the Turkish club for one more year.
Gianluigi Buffon looks on as Gennaro Gattuso is unveiled as the new Italy boss on Thursday
Jose Mourinho was being seriously considered for the role according to reports from Italy
Luciano Spalletti's fate was sealed after the dismal 3-0 defeat against Norway this month
Any approach for Mourinho was apparently stopped in its tracks though by Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon. The 47-year-old is the head of delegation of the Italian national team.
Buffon reportedly did not want former Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham boss Mourinho as Italy coach because he felt the team would react best to a national legend at the helm.
Reports in Italy have also claimed that Buffon threatened to resign if Roberto Mancini was reappointed as manager.
When his fellow 2006 World Cup winner Gattuso was appointed, Buffon said: 'My contract ends on June 30 every year, so resignations were never an issue.
'We chose Rino in consultation with the President and the other professionals we spoke to. I don’t think there are good or bad coaches at this level, but rather coaches who are functional to what the team needs. It was a good moment for Rino to become the national team coach.
'These are responsibilities that one tasks. Time will tell if it’s right or not. If the decision was not right, you take a step back.'
