Massimiliano Allegri backed as next Man United manager by Sir Alex Ferguson
According to reports from Italy this afternoon, former Juventus head coach, Massimiliano Allegri has been hand-picked as the potential successor to Erik ten Hag if the Dutchman leaves Man United this season – by decorated ex-manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Allegri, who most recently managed Serie A mainstay, Juventus – as part of his second stint with the Turin club, but left the side in unceremonious circumstances last season following a record fifth Coppa Italia final victory.
And with pressure mounting on ten Hag ahead of tomorrow’s trip to FC Porto and a Premier League return to Aston Villa on Sunday – where fans and bettors can still find Premier League odds ahead of the matchup, according to reports in Italy, six-time Serie A winner, Allegri has been received the backing of Ferguson to take the reigns at Old Trafford.
Massimiliano Allegri betting outsider for Man United post
Yet to return to employment since he was replaced at Juventus by former midfield maestro, Thiago Motta, Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly also well appreciated by the Real Madrid hierarchy, who will fae a huge task to replace his compatriot, Carlo Ancelotti when the serial victor finally calls time on his coaching career.
As well as Massimiliano Allegri, another potential Italian suitor for the Man United job has emerged in the form of current Internazionale head coach, Simone Inzaghi, who led his side to a prior Serie A victory and a UEFA Champions League final against United’s neighbors, Manchester City.
However, amid speculation linking Massimiliano Allegri and Simone Inzaghi with a surprising move to Old Trafford, another potential candidate to take over from ten Hag should the Dutchman be handed his walking papers next week is former Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern Munich head coach, Thomas Tuchel, who reportedly held talks with the new INEOS-backed ownership group as recently as this summer.
For the time being at least, current assistant head coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy; a lethal finisher during his time on the pitch for United in the noughties, has been tipped to take over as the next permanent or caretaker coach should ten Hag receive a dismissal during the season.
Travelling to Portugal to take on FC Porto in tomorrow night’s pivotal UEFA Europa League outing, Man United will look to put a prior 0-3 woe against Tottenham behind them from last weekend, in tow with a disappointing collapse against FC Twente in their European format opener earlier this week.
One thing appears to be certain is that should United succumb to back-to-back defeats to FC Porto and the above-mentioned Villa on Sunday, fans and media alike are preparing for the potential exit of former Ajax coach, ten Hag from the Old Trafford dugout as soon as the international break returns next week.
The appointment of Massimiliano Allegri would spell somewhat of a revert to old ways for the Manchester side – particularly if reports of backing from Ferguson are true, with the club icon sounding out David Moyes to take the reigns from him following his retirement from the post back in 2013 – before the ex-Everton boss was handed his notice just 10 months into the job, having penned a six-year contract.