Chelsea have Massimiliano Allegri in their sights to be their next manager as Antonio Conte is likely to be sacked at the end of the season.
Antonio Conte’s future has been a subject of doubt in the last few months, and the loss against Tottenham has virtually killed their chances of a top-four finish this season. That result coupled with Chelsea’s Champions League exit has more or less sealed the Italian’s fate as manager at Stamford Bridge and could be sacked at the end of the campaign.
According to The Sun, Chelsea have identified Massimiliano Allegri to become Conte’s replacement for next season after the Juventus manager revealed his intention to manage in England. Among targets, Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti’s name had also been on the forefront, but the Juventus manager seems to have pipped the others.
Max Allegri has had four fantastic years at Juventus winning the Serie A three times and are on course to clinch the fourth Scudetto after successfully chasing and building a points lead on Napoli this season. In addition to domestic success, Allegri has lead Juventus to two Champions League finals in his three full seasons there, suffering defeats to Barcelona and Real Madrid on both occasions.
While Chelsea were linked with a summer move in January when Conte appeared all unhappy with the club, Allegri’s appointment will no doubt be a coup for the club. Chelsea, however, face competition from Arsenal, who are also looking at Allegri as a possible replacement for Arsene Wenger if the French manager decides to leave at the end of the season.
The only problem with both clubs, which could see them miss out on the masterful Italian is their possible lack of Champions League football that Allegri has relished at Juventus. A manager with a CV of Allegri’s stature will be wanting to play the Champions League as he has unfinished business in the competition and could opt against joining Chelsea for that reason alone.
But the lure of taking over at one of England’s biggest clubs as well as the chance to pit his wits against the likes of Guardiola, Wenger, Klopp, Mourinho and Pochettino could be crucial in him joining the Blues. Additionally, he is reported to have been taking English lessons as well as looking at stuff to do in London states something about these reports.
Antonio Conte, on the other hand, has had a mixed bag tenure at Chelsea, after winning the league in his first season in-charge to what looks like its going to be a disappointing finish to the current campaign. Conte has been at loggerheads with the Chelsea board over transfers, but a disappointing finish to the season would be the final nail in the coffin.
Allegri would be a shrewd appointment for Chelsea and owner Roman Abramovich who would be hoping the Italian brings the team back to Premier League contention and do well in the Champions League given his record with Juventus.
