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Bonucci ‘dreaming’ of Guardiola as Italy coach
TL;DR
Leonardo Bonucci expresses his desire for Pep Guardiola to become the Italy national team coach, acknowledging the difficulty of this happening but stating that dreaming is free.
Key points
- Leonardo Bonucci is a former Italy defender
- Bonucci dreams of Pep Guardiola as Italy's coach
- He acknowledges the difficulty of this happening
Mentioned in this story
Leonardo BonucciPep Guardiola
Italy
Bonucci ‘dreaming’ of Guardiola as Italy coach
Leonardo Bonucci admits it’s ‘very hard’ to see Pep Guardiola as the Italy national team coach, but ‘dreaming doesn’t cost anything.’
Former Italy defender Bonucci dreams of Guardiola’s appointment as the Azzurri head coach.
Bonucci wants Guardiola as new Italy coach
“Following the list of names that have emerged these days, if there’s a genuine desire to start again, I’d do so with the rumoured possibility of having Pep Guardiola, because bringing him would mean making a drastic change from the past,” Bonucci said in Madrid, via Gazzetta, while attending the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards.
“I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.”
Bonucci was one of Gennaro Gattuso’s assistants but didn’t step down in the wake of Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination, contrary to the coach and Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Q&A
Why does Bonucci want Guardiola as Italy coach?
Bonucci believes Guardiola's coaching style and success could greatly benefit the Italy national team.
What challenges does Bonucci see in Guardiola becoming Italy's coach?
Bonucci admits it’s 'very hard' to envision Guardiola taking the role, likely due to Guardiola's commitments with his current club.
What is Bonucci's background in relation to the Italy national team?
Leonardo Bonucci is a former defender for the Italy national team, contributing to their successes in international competitions.
