An emotional Massimiliano Allegri showed up for a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia on Sunday, fueling doubts over his future at Juventus, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
The Bianconeri have ended another trophyless season under the Tuscan tactician and despite a contract expiring in June 2025, his future at the Allianz Stadium is increasingly uncertain.
Allegri looked emotional and his voice broke several times during a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia on Sunday when he also sent some clear messages to the club.
“I just came here to thank the lads and all those who worked with me at the Continassa training camp. I am truly proud of this team, these men, players, kit staff, physios and everyone who worked all year with professionalism and patience. We end the season here. The rest does not count,” he said.
“This was a difficult year, but also a wonderful one. The game was largely irrelevant, I just want to thank all those who worked with me at the Continassa.”
He repeatedly highlighted that he was grateful to those working daily “inside” the Juventus training camp but also claimed that he didn’t feel isolated.
Allegri added that the club, specifically CFO Francesco Calvo will make assessments and make plans for 2023-24. “He will tell us what the club will do next season, so thank you all,” said the Livorno-born coach before answering a question from ex-Serie A striker Paolo Di Canio.
“The club will focus on the team, I will go on holiday and from July 10 I will resume the work.”
Sky pundits noted that Allegri’s claims about his future were “inscrutable” and to be fair, the coach never went into details about his plans for next season and what Juventus will need to bounce back after another trophyless campaign.
“Tomorrow I go home, I have my nephew, my son, and a few horses racing, including one at the Milan Grand Prix next week,” he said.
He was once again asked if he expects to be at Juventus next season and replied that he may not be back in Turin on July 10, when the Old Lady’s season resumes with physical tests, but only the following day.
“Maybe I’ll arrive on the 11 when we’ll start working with the ball, when it’s about running, the others are in charge, but you should ask these questions to the club, not to me.”
Allegri has been heavily criticised by most Juventus fans this season for lack of results and his defensive playing style.
Some players also seem unhappy with his management as emerged from Juan Cuadrado’s pre-match press conference ahead of a Europa League semi-final against Sevilla last month. Furthermore, the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa have sometimes appeared uncomfortable on the pitch this season.
Calvo may have repeatedly said that Allegri will remain in charge in 2023-24, but the coach’s final post-match interview of the season suggests his future at the Allianz Stadium is not so obvious.