Massimiliano Allegri was recently in Paris to promote his new book, “Winning, it’s so simple” and during an interview with L’Equipe, the former Juventus FC boss revealed that he would like to find a new club by June and that Paris Saint-Germain are one of the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League.
“This season, the Champions League seems very open to me,” Allegri said. “I don’t know who’s favorite, because you no longer have a dominant team, like Real [Madrid] from three years ago. Some big clubs could fall in the Round of 16. We will see in the quarter-finals because by then the dynamics can still change. I don’t see a clear favorite. But Paris is obviously one of them.”
Allegri was then asked about his relationship with PSG sporting director, Leonardo, whom he worked with at AC Milan previously.
“There is a generational change also among the leaders,” Allegri said. “And Leonardo is a young manager who has an excellent career.”
With PSG manager Thomas Tuchel on the hot seat after the 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, rumors of Leonardo potentially bringing Allegri to the French capital are heating up but Allegri insists the two have not spoken.
“Not at all. I am out of football, I rest, I take advantage of my loved ones,” Allegri said. “I watch a few matches, it makes me see if I am still lucid. But I didn’t even see PSG against Borussia Dortmund. I’m going to watch the quarters seriously because in June I hope to find a club. Otherwise, I will get used to the holidays and I will no longer be able to work! I want to work next season, but I don’t know where yet. We’ll see.”
Leonardo returned to PSG last summer and Tuchel was already engrained at the club. You have to imagine that the PSG executive wants to bring in his own manager as he works to reshape the squad this summer with so many players expected to depart (Thiago Silva, Layvin Kurzawa, Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier, and potentially Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé).
Allegri has the credentials many PSG supporters are looking for. During his tenure in Turin, Allegri won Serie A five times and appeared in the Champions League final twice. He has the kind of swagger that the club’s biggest stars will respect.
Hopefully, PSG will be able to bounce back from the defeat to Dortmund in the return leg at the Parc des Princes. If not though, don’t be surprised to read more about Allegri’s potential arrival.
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