Leonardo ‘never liked coaching’ and ‘wouldn’t have let Donnarumma’ leave PSG | OneFootball

Ex-Milan and Inter boss Leonardo says he ‘never liked’ coaching but admits he would have kept Gigio Donnarumma at PSG.

Former Brazil international Leonardo covered several roles in football after the end of his playing career.

He was even a coach for Milan in 2009-10 and Inter in the following campaign.

The ex-Brazilian star also played for Milan, winning one Serie A title and a Coppa Italia as a footballer.

Turkish side Antalyaspor was the only other club Leonardo coached in his career, but his time at the club ended after just two months.

Leonardo: ‘I never liked coaching’

“I’ve never liked coaching. I stayed in Milan because the sale of the club needed to be prepared. And then only Inter because Moratti asked me to do so,” Leonardo told RMC via Gazzetta.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Fiorentina’s head coach Cesare Prandelli (L) and Milan’s head coach Leonardo (Nascimento De Araujo Leonardo) greet each other before the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 24, 2010 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I don’t think I’ll return to football, except perhaps for an ambitious project that truly excites me. Like it was with PSG.”

As the sporting director of PSG, Leonardo brought several star players to Paris, many from Serie A.

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti moved to the French capital in 2012, even before making his debut in Italy’s top flight.

Leonardo on Verratti and Donnarumma

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Maybe it would have been better for him to leave after five years,” said Leonardo.

“But he stayed loyal to the club. Perhaps he could have achieved more in his career, but he still won a lot. If you stay somewhere that long, it’s hard to always be at the top.”

Leonardo also replied to a question from a PSG fan saying, “Maybe I wouldn’t have let Donnarumma go.”

The Italian captain left PSG after winning the Champions League last season, joining Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on deadline day.