Max Allegri drops hint about taking Arsenal or Man Utd job but sets time frame for role

Posted Saturday, December 07, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Max Allegri drops hint about taking Arsenal or Man Utd job but sets time frame for role
Massimiliano Allegri has reiterated his plan to not take a job in-season (Image: GETTY)

Massimiliano Allegri has set a time frame for when he will take his next manager job as the Italian has been linked with taking over at Arsenal or Manchester United.

Massimiliano Allegri has made it know he is interested in taking up a job in the Premier League and has been linked with taking up the vacant position at Arsenal, as well as replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.

However, according to ESPN FC, the 52-year-old Italian appears set on sticking to his plan of taking a year out of football after leaving Juventus in the summer.

Allegri had a very successful spell at the Italian club and won five straight Serie A titles, along with four Coppa Italias, during his time in Turin.

But he now reiterated his plan to not take a job in-season.

“In June. I don't know if you can call it a sabbatical or not,” Allegri told ESPN FC.

“Giovanni [Branchini] and I immediately came to that decision. As soon as the relationship with Juventus came to an end, the decision was to take a year out.

“I had 18 years as a player and I've been in coaching for 16. I stopped this year after 34.

“I’m happy. I have a chance to reflect, go and talk to people, do things in my private life that I'm passionate about, like going to the theatre, some art exhibitions, reading books.”

However, fans of Arsenal and United that want to see him take over at their respective clubs can be reassured that the Italian is also using his free time to study the English language.

“I am taking lessons here in Milan. I manage to speak quite well,” Allegri added.

“I find the listening part a bit more difficult. If I'm talking to someone who helps me out by speaking a little slower, then I understand.

“I watch films [in English] and if I read something in English I understand it fine.”

But Allegri isn’t going to rush into a new job and wants to make sure if he suitably prepared wherever he ends up next.

“Next year will be an important year,” he said.

“Important for the choice I end up making and the need to be prepared for it.

“After a year out and five years at Juventus, I don't want to go back into the game and do badly. That would do my head in.”

Arsenal have placed Freddie Ljungberg in temporary charge after they made the decision to end Emery’s 18 month reign at the cub.

And it has been reported the club have already begun the process of interviewing candidates for the position, with the club currently sitting 10th in the table.

Although last week Arsenal director Josh Kroenke insisted the club would be taking its time to appoint Emery’s replacement.

“It's about finding the right candidate, not the first candidate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer has received the backing from United as the right manager to turn around the fortunes of the Red Devils.

United currently sit sixth in the table after 15 games, although they are still eight points off the top-four places and 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool.