Leonardo, the former sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain, recently spoke at a sports festival in Italy after a period of silence since his departure in 2022.
At 55 years old, Leonardo discussed his future in football, expressing his desire to continue working in the sport, though he is in no rush to return to a specific role.
« I’m comfortable at home; I don’t plan to return to football as before. As a coach, that’s out of the question. And not as a sporting director either. After leaving PSG, I decided to take a different path, which will certainly be in football because it’s my life, but in a different way. »
Zlatan, Mbappé? « I don’t want to create controversies »
« Football is changing—owners, managers, players, and coaches. When I say I will no longer be a sporting director, it’s because I may not see myself as a traditional sporting director; perhaps I envision myself in this new football in a different way. Time will tell a bit later. Football evolves. »
When it comes to Zlatan Ibrahimović, Leonardo remained discreet, noting that the former PSG player is now an advisor to the president of AC Milan. « Good question (laughs), let’s just say I won’t respond. » As for Kylian Mbappé’s potential move to Real Madrid, he said, « I don’t want to create controversies or comment on individual situations; you know my past is tied to many things. »
Leonardo did, however, praise Thiago Motta’s early coaching career, someone he helped bring to PSG. « He’s someone I respect a lot; I’ve followed his development closely. I was his coach at Inter and his manager at Paris Saint-Germain. I’m very happy he’s showing what he knows and who he is. He has found a way to have a positive impact on the mentality of play and management, which I’m very pleased about. »
