Turin, 2 April (LaPresse) – “Handing in my resignation the minute the match against Bosnia ended was an urgent act that came from the depths of my being. It was as spontaneous as the tears and that pain in my heart that I know I share with all of you. I was asked to hold off so that everyone could reflect properly. Now that President Gravina has chosen to step down, I feel free to do what I feel is the responsible thing, because, whilst I am sincerely convinced that we built a great deal in terms of spirit and team cohesion with Rino Gattuso and all the staff, in the very little time available to the national team, the main objective was to get Italy back to the World Cup. And we didn’t succeed.” With this message posted on his social media channels, Gianluigi Buffon announces his resignation as head of the national team delegation. “It is right to leave it to whoever comes after me to choose the person they deem best to fill my role. Representing the national team has been an honour and a passion that has consumed me ever since I was a boy,” he adds. “I have tried to fulfil my role by putting all my energy into it, looking at all areas to act as a link, a channel for dialogue and synergy between the various youth teams, and working with the various managers to structure a project that starts with the very youngest players and extends all the way up to the U21 national team. All this to rethink the way in which the talents of the future senior national team are nurtured. I requested and secured the inclusion of a few key figures with extensive experience, who, together with the expertise already in place, are bringing about these necessary changes with a medium- and long-term vision. This is because I believe in the principles of meritocracy and the specialisation of roles. It will be up to those in charge to judge the merits of these choices. I carry it all in my heart, with gratitude for the privilege and the lessons that, even in this painful conclusion, this intense experience has left me with. Forza Azzurri, always.”