Former Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci has shared his thoughts on the future of Italian football following another disappointment—the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, the third consecutive tournament they will miss. He believes that rebuilding is essential and that Pep Guardiola is the ideal candidate to bring about a radical transformation for the four-time world champions. Meanwhile, he sees Massimiliano Allegri and Alessandro Bastoni as suitable fits for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, respectively.
“It is important to rebuild Italian football from the ground up, starting with defense. We need courage to understand what is happening and regain the respect of the world, to become that great national team that was once world champion,” Bonucci said during the Laureus Awards week.
“There are young players with great talent. They need to be given time to stabilize and grow. The only magic recipe is time, and if we want a radical change, the right man is Pep. It’s difficult, but dreaming is free,” added the former defender, who last won a title with Italy at the European Championship.
Finally, Bonucci mentioned his former Juventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri, as an ideal candidate for the Real Madrid bench: “I see him doing well at Madrid. He reminds me of Ancelotti—he gives freedom to the players, he is a good manager, and he understands the pressure that comes with wearing the Madrid shirt. If Ancelotti did well, I don’t see why Allegri couldn’t do the same,” he said of the current Milan coach.
Regarding Xabi Alonso, Bonucci commented: “I don’t know what happened. A coaching change influences things. I only know that I played against them at Leverkusen, and they played wonderfully. But when you go to Madrid, you have to adapt—it’s not easy. Madrid is a great club, and I have no doubt they will fight for everything again next year.”