Arsenal trigger Chelsea manager war as Gunners approach Juve's Max Allegri - 7M sport

Arsenal trigger Chelsea manager war as Gunners approach Juve's Max Allegri



Posted Saturday, April 21, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal trigger Chelsea manager war as Gunners approach Juve's Max Allegri
Chelsea target Max Allegri (left) could replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal

MAX ALLEGRI was last night at the centre of a tug of war between two of English football's biggest clubs.

The Juventus manager is top of the list of coaches that Arsenal want to replace Arsene Wenger, who shocked football yesterday by announcing he was standing down at the end of the season after nearly 22 years in charge.

But Chelsea have also made contact with the 50-year-old, who has steered Juventus to three successive Serie A titles, and whose club were Champions League runners up for the second time last season.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, whose team face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow, is also expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who paid an emotional tribute to Wenger, is pushing for Allegri, who is taking English lessons, to be given the job.

The other leading candidates to replace Wenger, 68, who won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups at Arsenal, are highly rated Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann, the choice of Gunners head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.

Other candidates are Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, former Chelsea chief Carlo Ancelotti, former Arsenal players Patrick Viera and Mikel Arteta, ex-Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco and Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim.

Allegri is due to meet with the Juventus board next week when he is expected to tell the club he will be leaving.

Gazidis warned that the new man will not have any of the sole power over transfers and recruitment that Wenger had.

He said: "It's unthinkable to have another manager who will be 22 years in tenure and have that success. You cannot replace Arsene Wenger – you have to find a new path.

"The decision had to happen at some point. It does not herald a new era of instability.

"It would be unrealistic to think anybody who comes will have the breadth and scope Arsene had.

"It's important we continue Arsene's football values. The fans want to see exciting, progressive football. It is significant how the candidate represents the club, and that it is a person who gives youth a chance.

"We've got to be open-minded and brave in the decision and get the right person."

Wenger said: "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.

"I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

"I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high. To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club."

Wenger can still end his final season with silverware, with his side, who meet West Ham at home in the league tomorrow, facing Atletico Madrid on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.



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