Allegri mentor confirms offer from Chelsea

Matt Stead

Massimiliano Allegri has been offered the Chelsea job, according to his mentor Giovanni Galeone.

Juventus director Beppe Marotta on Monday insisted that Allegri would not be heading to London in the summer, but Galeone claims the deal is in place and he expects the 48-year-old to put pen to paper with the Blues.

“If I were Allegri, I would even walk there – and I think he will,” Galeone told Radio Radio. “Allegri is certainly among the five best coaches in the world. I think he will leave Juve because the offer from Chelsea is truly fantastic.

“For me, it would make no sense staying in Italy. Like I said, I think he will leave Juventus and I can see him doing very well in England.

“He’s doing an incredible job, considering that in the summer Juventus did not sign anybody who he had asked for, such as [Mario] Gotze, Isco or the others.”

Guus Hiddink is currently in interim charge at Stamford Bridge – his second interim spell at the club – following the departure of Jose Mourinho in December. But owner Roman Abramovich is looking for a long-term successor to MOurinho and Allegri is believed to be high up his shortlist.

The former Sassuolo and Cagliari coach has won two Serie A titles with Milan and Juventus last year during his 13-year managerial career.

Diego Simeone, Italy coach Antonio Conte and outgoing Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini have all been mentioned as potential successors to Mourinho. Although Pellegrini is reportedly being lined up by Juve to replace Allegri.