At the VAR Centre in Lissone, Leonardo Bonucci returned to a setting shaped by Serie A’s past while speaking about the next stage of his own career. The former defender, now working alongside coach Roberto Mancini with the national team, said retirement has opened new interests as he continues his studies with the ambition of becoming a head coach.
Key takeaways
- Bonucci attended the presentation of the latest “Vinci lo Stadio con Iliad” competition at the VAR Centre in Lissone.
- He named Inter as his leading candidate for the Serie A title, while placing Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the field in the Champions League.
- The former Juventus and Italy defender sees Alessandro Bastoni as the current centre-back most similar to himself.
- Bonucci said he hopes to coach Juventus one day and could also aspire to lead the national team.
- Iliad, Lega Serie A’s Innovation and Technology Partner since 2023, provides the connection infrastructure at the Lissone VAR Centre.
Bonucci’s coaching road begins after retirement
Surrounded by images of Serie A greats including Diego Maradona and Paolo Maldini, Bonucci reflected on adapting to life after playing. He said he is still getting used to the change, but is enjoying the chance to discover different areas of the game, visit places such as the VAR Centre and take part in new events.
His longer-term objective is already clear. “When I was 30, I realised that coaching was what I wanted to do,” Bonucci said. “One day I would like to manage Juventus and perhaps the national team as well.”
He expects his approach to be based on proactive football, although he acknowledged that a coach must also know how to pursue a result when circumstances demand it. That balance reflects a career in which Bonucci became one of the leading defenders of his generation, comfortable not only in duels but also in starting attacks from deep positions.
Bonucci believes modern defenders are increasingly asked to take responsibility in possession. He traced part of his own ability on the ball to his early development as a midfielder in youth football, adding that many central defenders now arrive in senior football with similar qualities.
Among today’s players, he identified Inter’s Bastoni as the closest comparison. Bonucci also discussed the difficult spell Bastoni experienced following the match in Zenica, saying he advised him to set fresh targets rather than become consumed by events around him. In Bonucci’s view, Bastoni has made significant progress as a leader and communicator, returning as an important figure in Mancini’s new cycle.
The Bosnia defeat had affected the entire group, Bonucci said. On returning to Italy, he asked his wife to take their children to the mountains for three days so that he could spend time alone at home. He credited Mancini with quickly clearing away the disappointment and building an enthusiastic squad.
Iliad links supporters to Serie A occasions
The event also launched a new edition of Iliad’s “Vinci lo Stadio con Iliad” competition. The initiative gives the company’s customers the opportunity to attend matches involving their favourite club, with larger prizes including access to Supercoppa fixtures and the Coppa Italia final.
Entry is made through a unique code available in the personal area of the Iliad app. The project forms part of Iliad’s relationship with Lega Serie A, where it has served as Innovation and Technology Partner for three years.
Anna Sanfilippo, Iliad’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the company entered the Italian market in 2018 and has now reached 13 million users. She described football as a natural route for strengthening the relationship with customers through their passions.
Iliad has also provided technological support to Lega Serie A since 2023. Its infrastructure is present at the Lissone site, including the connection used within the VAR Centre itself, a role the company said it is proud to fulfil.
