Massimiliano Allegri could replace Zinedine Zidane as manager of Real Madrid
Reports from the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Florentino Perez is interested in bringing current Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri to replace Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager. The Italian newspaper claimed that Perez’s interest in Allegri was ignited when Juventus successfully got past Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals last year.
Allegri comes with a glowing recommendation from former AC Milan president Adriano Galliani. Galliani is a close friend of Perez and the Real Madrid president is reportedly not satisfied with the team’s performances under Zidane.
Real Madrid are not the only team which have their eyes on Allegri, Chelsea have also been linked with the Italian manager with some earlier reports even claiming that Allegri had already signed a four-year contract with the Premier League side.
Allegri still has a year left on his contract with the Turin club and has an offer on the table to extend his deal until 2018 for 4.7 million euros per season. At present, he earns 2.4 million euros per season, excluding bonuses.
Zidane says he might not be manager of Real Madrid next season
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, says he doesn't know whether he'll be in charge of the club next season. The Frenchman replaced Rafael Benitez midway through the current after a series of poor results but iterates that his role as manager doesn't necessarily mean he'll still be at the helm next season.
Real Madrid succumbed to their first loss under Zidane going down 1-0 to cross-city rivals, Atletico Madrid, at the Bernabeu but what is more striking is that Diego Simeone's men have won at the Bernabeu three times in a row.
Asked if whether Zidane would stay on as manager next season, the Frenchman said nothing was for granted at Real Madrid. "What a question, eh?" he responded.
"The important thing is the day to day. I am very happy here, enjoying my work, improving every day. When I arrived here, two months ago, everything was great. Now it is all black. I understand that is your concern, but it is not mine.
"I don't know what will happen in three months, nobody knows. We must just focus on tomorrow -- me and the players. I cannot say anything about the rest."