Allegri: Champions bring out my best

By Football Italia staff

Juventus boss Max Allegri claims managing “great champions” brings out the best in his coaching abilities.

Allegri turned 50 on Friday, and ahead of entering his fourth season at Juve, the former Milan boss discussed the challenges that faced him in Turin.

“On the morning of July 16, there were several things going on, the national team… and then I got a phone call to meet with Juve executives in the afternoon,” he told Premium Sport.

“I didn’t understand it. I found out Conte had resigned when I was on my way to meeting their President that evening.

“They asked me if I was available and had rested enough because I thought the team still had a lot to give.

“They had three years of success in Italy and I thought they could do better, even in Europe.

“I always prefer to train great champions because I can have proper dealings with them.

“Ibrahimovic? He’s a special and extraordinary player, but sometimes he’d demand that his teammates do the things he did on the pitch.

“I tried to make him understand that not all players are the same in a football team.

“Buffon? He’s different from the others. He’s still the best in his position and has a future in directorship, perhaps with the FIGC.

“I talk to him, I confront him on things and sometimes he needs the Coach’s support.

“I like to joke and have a relationship with the players, one that’s not friendly but always respectful.

“There’s nothing wrong if the Coach starts to play basketball or challenges a player to five-a-side.

“The Juventus DNA is a winning one and, above all, there’s a great discipline here, there are rules to be respected. This is very important for the players.

“President Agnelli is young and has great ideas, he’s very good at mixing family tradition with his business affairs abroad to make Juve a world-level club.”

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