Massimiliano Allegri is the top candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid and would gladly accept the job this time after turning it down in the past. The Italian manager is giving the Merengues his priority despite being the dream target for multiple Serie A teams, including Juventus, transfer market expert Alfredo Pedullà reports.
Zidane has told the players that he is leaving at the end of the season and also signaled it in his most recent press conferences. Allegri is competing with club legend and Castilla gaffer Raul Gonzalez Blanco, while the other contenders Joachim Loew and Carlo Ancelotti have lower chances. Florentino Perez has not made his choice yet, and the two parties have not finalized his contract.
On top of being linked with a return to the Old Lady, the former Juventus boss recently met with Lazio president Claudio Lotito, Corriere della Sera informed. He is also very high on the list for Napoli, which, despite the strong finish, will change their coach because of the strained relationship between Gennaro Gattuso and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, La Gazzetta dello Sport indicates.
Allegri picking Real Madrid over the Bianconeri would have a ripple effect in the coaching carousel, as they would no longer have a ready-made option to replace Andrea Pirlo. They could make a run for Gattuso, who is however in advanced talks with Fiorentina. Zidane is instead more likely to end up on the bench of the French national team in 2022, Tuttosport reports.