Bonucci: ‘Guardiola and Manchester City courted me for many weeks’

Bonucci: ‘Guardiola and Manchester City courted me for many weeks’ Leonardo Bonucci admits he was ‘tempted’ by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, who ‘courted me for many weeks,’ but couldn’t bring himself to leave Juventus. The defender retired in 2024 and is now part of Roberto Mancini’s Italy coaching staff, preparing for the Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkiye and France. His career path was almost very different, as Guardiola never disguised how much he admired the central defender with the long ball skills of a creative midfielder. Bonucci was wanted by Guardiola LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) “The 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons allowed me to achieve incredible heights in my career,” Bonucci told the World Soccer Agency, via Sport Mediaset. “I played in the Champions League Final against Barcelona in 2015, then a year later was at the European Championship, losing to Germany on penalties after I scored past Manuel Neuer. It was the start of my career truly taking off.” That was part of a lengthy experience at Juventus, which started in 2010 and eventually concluded in 2023, even if there was a brief window in 2017/18 at Milan. Before that, Bonucci had refused a lucrative and prestigious proposal from Manchester City because he felt that he belonged with the Old Lady. BURNLEY, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) “For my style of football, the coach who is best suited and most appreciates playing out from the back is Guardiola. So he courted me for many weeks, and let me tell you, being courted by Guardiola is not like any other experience. “You really do start to wobble, and it was tough taking place during the Euros, where I had to be concentrated, but even during the tournament there were some discussions.” Ultimately, Bonucci’s love for Juventus won out, along with the club resisting some massive offers. “As far as I was concerned, the idea of leaving Juventus made my heart ache. Some days I’d say to myself, oh wonderful, the Premier League and Guardiola, but then the day after I remembered that I had always dreamed of Juventus.” Juventus players (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, 19 April 2017. EPA/ALEJANDRO GARCIA The situation was also complicated by the fact Bonucci’s son Matteo was diagnosed with a serious illness aged just two. “After the Euros, I spoke to Juve. Matteo’s illness and the fact I didn’t feel 100 per cent about leaving Juve, especially as the club told me that I would not be sold even if an incredible offer came in, made it a normal decision to stay. “Working with Guardiola would’ve allowed me to have even greater experience, technically and tactically.” Bonucci did eventually leave Juventus for Milan in 2017, but that was sparked by an infamous row with coach Max Allegri, and he returned a year on once the tactician had left. “I had lost my focus with what happened in 2017. I was about to become a pillar of Juventus, that was the path I was meant to be on.”