Allegri: 'I don't want a year off'

By Football Italia staff

Max Allegri revealed when he was told that his Juventus career was over. “I will only take a year off if I have to, but the plan is to find a project that convinces me.”

Today’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta was the final home game of the season and saw the Bianconeri presented with the Serie A trophy.

The club announced on Friday afternoon that he would not remain on the bench next season, even though his contract ran until June 2020.

“I spoke to the President after Ajax and we had the plans to continue, but over the last six weeks or so we all came together and reached the same conclusion,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“We never got to contracts or anything like that, but I realised that for the good of Juventus, it was right to move on and change. Otherwise we’d run the risk of reaching September or October next season and hit problems, so it was best to leave on a high.

“I was told on Friday morning. When I left the meeting on Thursday evening, I knew that I was no longer the Juventus Coach. I wasn’t told, I just knew.”

The Coach was asked if he will take a Sabbatical, but made it very clear he’s looking for work.

“I am not particularly looking for a year off. I’ll only take a Sabbatical if I have to, but otherwise the idea is to find a project that convinces me. Life is full of surprises and you have to be ready for anything.

“I train with joy and fun, because if I am not convinced by the squad at my disposal, I try changing things around, moving players into new positions and finding something different, otherwise I get bored.”

Simone Inzaghi, Maurizio Sarri and Sinisa Mihajlovic have been mentioned as candidates to take over, but Allegri assures he has no idea who will be his replacement.

“The club will certainly make the best choice to carry on this winning squad. The Champions League was tough, we reached the two legs against Ajax with so many injuries.

“I won’t say that after Atletico Madrid we had to make a choice, but I did need to get Serie A under lock and key. The comeback with Atletico Madrid seemed like something that could never be repeated, except then Liverpool did it with Barcelona…

“In a season where you have muscular problems and injuries, you have to predict what will happen and focus on priorities. Our priority was to get the Scudetto secured. People kept asking me about Atletico Madrid and I was thinking about Bologna.

“When you have a big squad like this at your disposal, you have to make choices. I think we had 37 different line-ups in 38 rounds, as I had to rotate, keep everyone involved and fit.

“People say it’s easy to win, but it certainly is not, especially an eighth in a row. The players just made it look easier than it was.

“This squad is capable of a great Champions League run, there has been a constant growth on and off the field. I believe the key will be facing the Champions League with joy and not worry.”

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