Former Barcelona director Eric Abidal reveals Max Allegri was on the Blaugrana’s shortlist in January 2020.
Barcelona sacked their coach Ernesto Valverde in the summer with Quique Setien, who replaced him.
“On my list was Mauricio Pochettino, Quique Setien, Max Allegri and Xavi Hernandez. Quique was appointed, but my first option was Pochettino,” Abidal told The Telegraph.
Former Barcelona director Eric Abidal reveals Max Allegri was on the Blaugrana’s shortlist in January 2020.
Barcelona sacked their coach Ernesto Valverde in the summer with Quique Setien, who replaced him.
“On my list was Mauricio Pochettino, Quique Setien, Max Allegri and Xavi Hernandez. Quique was appointed, but my first option was Pochettino,” Abidal told The Telegraph.
“I told the board ‘, I have to bring the best coach we can in the market. I’m not here for politics because he was before in Espanyol’.
“For me, it’s not politics. I wanted the best and Pochettino is one of the best in our game. He reached the Champions League final with Tottenham, you have to respect this, he has a good philosophy of playing, a good philosophy of training, players love him and I think he would be a better coach now for this situation, but with a real project.”
Barcelona offloaded Abidal after their 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals this past August.
The Catalans also sacked Quique Setien after eight months in charge.
Allegri spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Sunday and said he turned down an offer from Real Madrid.