Massimiliano Allegri confirms he could have joined Real Madrid or Chelsea but “I made the decision to stay at Juventus”.
The Bianconeri Coach was reported to have turned down the chance to succeed Zinedine Zidane, and was asked by Sky’s Marco Nosotti if that was the case.
“Let’s say I said yes to Juventus,” Allegri replied.
Massimiliano Allegri confirms he could have joined Real Madrid or Chelsea but “I made the decision to stay at Juventus”.
The Bianconeri Coach was reported to have turned down the chance to succeed Zinedine Zidane, and was asked by Sky’s Marco Nosotti if that was the case.
“Let’s say I said yes to Juventus,” Allegri replied.
“I spoke to the President [Florentino Perez] once, and I said that out of respect for the President [Andrea Agnelli], to whom I’d given my word, and Juventus I’d be staying at Juventus.
“It was a decision I’d already taken, and even if other things can happen in life I’d say that I made the decision to stay at Juventus and respected what I’d said, without considering other options.
“I have to thank the Real Madrid President though, for giving me the chance to go there.”
Was Allegri also called by Chelsea?
“Let’s just say that the decision to stay at Juventus had already been taken, while thanking the ones who sought me out.
“I’ve always said that the President will be the first to know if I want to leave, and the President will have to tell me if he wants to make a change.
“The Juventus project is renewed every year, and every year is competitive. Then Juventus is one of the strongest teams in the world.
“In any case, Juventus have been among the best in Europe for the past four years and we think we can continue to better what we started four years ago.
“I’m very happy to do that, together with the President, together with [general manager Beppe] Marotta, [sporting director Fabio] Paratici and [Vice-President Pavel] Nedved and with all those who work at Juventus.
“Juventus is still an ambitious club, and the President even more so."