MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI is willing to say “yes” to Arsenal.
The Juventus boss has told pals he is keen on the Gunners job — if under-fire Arsene Wenger is axed at the end of the season.
Allegri, the man who ended Tottenham’s dreams of Champions League glory at Wembley in midweek, fears his Turin bosses are planning to call time on his successful reign this summer.
The Italian, 50, was linked with Arsenal last year before Wenger’s FA Cup triumph earned him a new two-year contract at the Emirates.
Allegri, who is also on Chelsea’s radar, has publicly ruled out a move to England after signing a new deal until 2020.
But he is learning English and, privately, would love the chance to manage in the Premier League.
Latest Arsenal news
He has led Juve to three successive Italian League and Cup doubles plus two Champions League finals and also won the Serie A title while at AC Milan.
His ruthless streak, talent for organisation and tactical nous, as showed against Spurs, has won him a number of admirers on the Arsenal board.
And with Gunners’ chief executive Ivan Gazidis promising a “catalyst of change”, Allegri heads the list of possible successors to Wenger.
The under-fire Frenchman, 68, is on course for the worst Premier League finish of his 22-year reign.
Victory in the Europa League is his only chance of silverware this season and failure will also certainly condemn Arsenal to a second successive season without Champions League football.
Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti, German coach Joachim Lowe, Belgium chief Roberto Martinez and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers are all being touted as potential successors.
But Allegri’s CV makes him the first choice.
Leave a comment