Bonucci: ‘I dream of being a coach, learned from Gattuso, Allegri and Conte’

Leonardo Bonucci explains what Gennaro Gattuso brings to the Italy job, learning from Max Allegri and Antonio Conte, and why he ‘dreams of becoming a coach.’

The former Juventus and Milan defender is now part of Gattuso’s staff and therefore preparing for the upcoming World Cup play-offs.

The first test is against Northern Ireland and will be played at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the tournament.

Bonucci on Italy plans under Gattuso

“It was our decision to go and play in Bergamo because that’s where we had our first game in charge and the atmosphere, the adrenaline, the passion, was just incredible,” Bonucci told Cronache di Spogliatoio.

“It felt like there were 23,000 people on the pitch with us. When Rino was asked for the best venue for this play-off, he felt this was the right decision.

“I rarely remember experiencing an atmosphere like that for an Italy game, outside of a major tournament. We must give 110 per cent, and it would be nice not to have the constant pressure to get a result at all costs, but rather feed on enthusiasm of wanting to get there.

“When you have that attitude, you don’t feel the fatigue.”

Gattuso was appointed the new Italy coach when Luciano Spalletti was fired, already two games into the World Cup qualifying campaign.

“He makes everyone feel that they are important,” explained Bonucci.

“One of my roles is to prepare the set play routines, both attacking and defending. It’s not just Arsenal who do that, you know…”

Another of Bonucci’s tasks is travelling around to watch players in action, although it is a constant network of communication with various clubs too.

“We speak to the fitness coaches almost weekly, Gattuso calls the players after games, we continually keep up to date on training and nutritional guidelines. We work every day, exchanging ideas on who should be in the squad for the next games.”

Gattuso recently took several players out for dinner who could potentially be in the Italy team, as he considers these important exercises when training camps are impossible.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm for this approach. Gattuso is a leader, a great person, he feels that it is the best way of keeping in touch, letting them know who we are.”

When it comes to his own career, Bonucci admits he took inspiration from current Milan boss Max Allegri, who he worked with at Juventus.

“I think Allegri is the best in terms of intuition. He often spotted characteristics of players and put them in positions that seemed absurd at the time, but proved to be inspired.

“Allegri is also phenomenal when it comes to speaking with players, he never talks negatively, never complains.

“In general when it comes to tactics, the one who made the biggest impression was Antonio Conte. When he arrived at Juve, he started with a 4-2-4, moved to 4-3-3, then the 3-5-2 that we knew off by heart.

“This allowed us to have different options ready to go, increased our knowledge base. I learned from Rino at Milan, Giampiero Ventura at Bari, so I was fortunate to work with so many.

“I do dream of becoming a coach myself, but they helped light that fire within me.”