Allegri future in doubt
Serie A defending champions Juventus have been on a roller coaster ride this season and are on the verge of adding another shiny silverware to their cabinet, but all the list of accolades is missing the major title which the Italian giants have not got a hold of and that is UEFA Champions League title which puts coach Massimiliano Allegri's future in doubt.
Juventus won the Italian Cup on Wednesday and are close to successfully defending a record 7th time, The Old Lady just need 1 point to beat AS Roma. It would be Allegri's fourth league and cup double in his four years stay at the club.
Under Allegri Juventus become the only Italian club to win back-to-back doubles, well it was in 1995 when Juventus won the league and cup in the same season.
Allegri led Juventus to the UEFA Champions League finals twice in 2015 and 2017, but had to leave empty handed after losses to Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
"I have a contract with Juventus and like every year we will sit down at the end of the season to plan the future," said Allegri, who has two more years remaining on his deal. "We need to have the clarity of mind to understand how to improve ourselves even more.
"I am at one of the most decorated teams in the world, we are coming from an important period of victories, winning again is always difficult and you need to always build to try and win on all fronts."
Allegri was pretty confident after beating AC Milan 4-0 comprehensively. The Rossoneri fired him in January 2014 and after that they have changed 6 coaches, while Allegri went on to join Juventus in few months. He replaced Antonio Conte there when he left for Chelsea. he might follow him their again as Conte can leave Chelsea after the disappointing season with the club.
After Arsene Wenger announced his retirement there are many speculations that Allegri might replace him their and France giants are also in search of a new manager. Allegri has made no secret of the fact he would like to coach abroad.
Juventus is reaching the end of an era, with several players set to leave the club as they reach the end of their careers, including captain Gianluigi Buffon — although the 40-year-old goalkeeper has yet to confirm if he will retire at the end of the season.
However, the Bianconeri are quietly hopeful of keeping their coach.
"The relationship between Allegri and Juventus is a splendid one, made of victories and reciprocal happiness," Juventus CEO and general manager Giuseppe Marotta said. "There are all the prerequisites to continue on this path with him and reach even more important targets.
"We'll talk with him when everything's settled, when the title is won. Let's hope the concept with him will be one of harmony and not of separation."
