Leonardo Bonucci's Close Call with Manchester City Transfer
Leonardo Bonucci has revealed just how close he came to walking away from Juventus at the height of his powers to join Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Speaking to World Soccer Agency, via Sport Mediaset, the former Italy defender opened up on the tug of war that played out during Euro 2016, when Guardiola pushed hard to make him the defensive cornerstone of his new City project.
“For my style of football, the coach who is best suited and most appreciates playing out from the back is Guardiola,” Bonucci said. “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.”
At that point, Bonucci was at the peak of his influence in Turin. He had already reached a Champions League final with Juventus and formed part of one of Europe’s most feared defensive units. City, building towards the dominance they now enjoy in England, saw him as the ideal organiser and playmaker from the back.
The temptation was real. So was the doubt.
“As far as I was concerned, the idea of leaving Juventus made my heart ache,” he admitted. “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.”
The battle wasn’t only professional. Away from the pitch, Bonucci’s family life had been shaken. His two-year-old son Matteo was diagnosed with a serious illness, a moment that changed his priorities and weighed heavily on any thought of moving abroad.
“After the Euros, I spoke to Juve,” Bonucci continued. “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.”
In the end, loyalty, family and the pull of a lifelong dream kept him in black and white. The Premier League, and Guardiola’s City, had to move on without one of the game’s great ball‑playing centre-backs.
