BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo, Italy on September 5, 2025. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Leonardo Bonucci admits he was “tempted” by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, who “wooed me for weeks” but he couldn’t bring himself to leave Juventus.
The defender retires in 2024 and is now part of Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff in Italy as they prepare for Nations League games against Belgium, Turkey and France.
His career path could hardly have been more different, with Guardiola never hiding his appreciation for the creative midfielder’s long-ball skills.
Guardiola wants Bonucci
“The 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons took me to incredible heights in my career,” Bonucci told World Football via Sport Mediaset.
“In 2015 I participated in the Champions League final against Barcelona, and a year later I participated in the European Cup. I surpassed Neuer in the penalty shootout and lost to the German team. This was the beginning of my career really taking off.”
It’s part of a long saga at Juventus that began in 2010 and ended in 2023, albeit with a brief window in Milan during the 2017/18 season.
This comes after Bonucci turned down a lucrative and prestigious proposal from Manchester City because he felt he belonged with the Old Lady.
“For my style of football, the manager who suited me best and liked playing from the back the most was Guardiola. So he courted me for weeks and let me tell you, being courted by Guardiola was unlike any other experience.”
“You do start to waver and it’s difficult during the Euros, I have to concentrate, but even during the games there are some discussions.”
In the end, Bonucci’s love for Juventus won out and the club turned down some huge offers.
“For me, the thought of leaving Juventus hurts. Sometimes I say to myself, oh, the Premier League and Guardiola are so great, but then the next day I remember that I have always dreamed of Juventus.”
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Bonucci’s son Mateo was diagnosed with the serious illness at the age of two.
“I had a conversation with Juventus after the European Cup. Mateo’s condition and the fact that I didn’t feel 100% about leaving Juventus, especially since the club told me that I would not be sold even with an incredible offer, made it a normal decision for me to stay.”
“Working with Guardiola will give me greater technical and tactical experience.”
Bonucci eventually left Juventus to join Milan in 2017, but it was sparked by an infamous row with coach Max Allegri and he returned after the tactician left a year later.
“What happened in 2017 made me lose focus. I was about to become a pillar of Juventus, that was the path I was destined to take.”