Leonardo Bonucci stepped away from professional football carrying ambitions that reach well beyond the pitch, mapping out a future where he intends to manage at the highest level of European club and international football. During a promotional event for the Lega Serie A and telecommunications firm Iliad at the Video Assistant Referee center in Lissone, the former defender outlined his coaching aspirations, pointed to a current Inter Milan defender as his modern tactical mirror, and detailed the toll of Italy’s recent World Cup qualifying struggles.

Coaching Aspirations at Juventus and the National Team

Bonucci’s transition from the playing field to the touchline is a project that began taking shape during his thirties. While currently working within Roberto Mancini’s national team staff, the former center-back confirmed that his ultimate managerial ambition is to take charge of Juventus, alongside an eventual desire to lead the Azzurri. Reflecting on his tactical philosophy, Bonucci described himself as a coach who favors a possession-based approach while acknowledging the practical demands of winning matches. At 30 years old, I realized I would like to coach, Bonucci said, adding that he aims to guide the Bianconeri and potentially the national side one day.

Tactical Parallels With Alessandro Bastoni

Discussing the evolution of central defenders who initiate plays from deep, Bonucci identified Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni as the player who most closely resembles his style of play. Drawing from his own early background as a midfielder in youth academies, Bonucci noted that modern center-backs increasingly share those technical characteristics. The former defender also addressed Bastoni’s recent challenges following a difficult fixture against Bosnia in Zenica, explaining that he advised the Inter defender to focus on new objectives and block out external pressure. Bonucci praised Bastoni’s growth in leadership and communication on the pitch.

Bonucci Names Duván Zapata as Toughest Adversary

Reflecting on the toughest tests of his career, Bonucci distinguished between elite teammates such as Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the opposing forwards who caused him the most tactical anxiety. While acknowledging the challenge of facing Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé—whom he recalled sprinting effortlessly as an 18-year-old at Monaco—Bonucci named Duván Zapata as the adversary who disrupted his sleep the most. The nights before facing Duván were crazy: he put a thought in my head that other very greats never did, Bonucci said. He also detailed the emotional fallout from Italy missing a third World Cup, revealing that the defeat in Bosnia prompted him to isolate himself at home for days.

Bonucci Predicts League Winners as Iliad Expands Connectivity

Looking at the state of football, Bonucci predicted Inter Milan would win the Serie A Scudetto and that Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are the favorites for the UEFA Champions League. The event in Lissone also marked the launch of a new edition of the Vinci lo Stadio con Iliad contest. Anna Sanfilippo, Chief Marketing Officer of Iliad, noted that the telecommunications company surpassed 13 million users in Italy since entering the market in 2018, while continuing to provide technological support and connectivity for the Lega Serie A VAR Center.