Agent: Manduzkic ‘loves’ Juve

By Football Italia staff

Mario Mandzukic’s agent has revealed the striker ‘loves’ Juventus. “If Croatia reached the World Cup Final, it’s partly thanks to Max Allegri.”

Mandzukic has spent the past three seasons with Juve, showing his versatility by also playing on the right wing and becoming a fans’ favourite in the process.

“He was a right-back, then a right winger because the lad had technique and the Coach moved him forward,” Ivan Cvjetkovic told Calciomercato.com.

“Sometimes he also played on the left. One day his father called me and told me: ‘I think my son has good numbers. Come and see him.’

“I went and after half an hour we shook hands: ‘Job done, I’ll take him with me.’ Before the end of the game, we’d agreed on everything.

“When Mario arrived in Turin, he was certainly proud to wear that shirt, but perhaps he thought it was just a step in his career.

“Over the last three years, he literally fell in love with Juventus, the club and their fans. Maybe only at Bayern was he so loved and convinced, but here at Juventus there’s something more.

“His relationship with Allegri really strong. I’ll give you a bit of background: if Croatia reached the World Cup Final, it’s partly thanks to the Juventus Coach.

“Before Mario left, in fact, Allegri called him and told him: ‘Don’t listen to any of the talk, [the board] consulted me and I said that you were indispensable for me.’

“That show of trust galvanised him and he was even more motivated in Russia.”

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