Former Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli believes Max Allegri will leave this summer, eyes Thiago Motta in his place and warns Adrien Rabiot is ‘more important’ to the team than Federico Chiesa.
The chief was at the helm of Juve during the most difficult time in the club’s history, the post-Calciopoli period from 2006 to 2009, and remains close to the Agnelli family empire.
With just one win in the last eight Serie A rounds and slipping down to third place behind Milan, the calls are growing for Allegri to part company with director Cristiano Giuntoli.
“Allegri is usually very relaxed and jokes with the interviewers after the match, but on Sunday he showed clear irritability, evidently due to results not coming at the moment,” Cobolli Gigli told Calciomercato.it.
“Failing to get into the top four would be both a sporting and economic disaster for the club. I will not even take into consideration the possibility Juventus won’t qualify for the Champions League.”
The recent performances and results have fuelled reports Allegri will not remain to the end of his contract in June 2025.
“Someone like Giovanni Galeone, who knows Allegri better than anyone, recently advised him to work abroad. This in my view is a signal that the rapport between Allegri and Juve is not as solid as it was until recently. It is evident there is tension within Juventus.
“For the first time, and I always had great respect for Allegri, I think it is very possible that he will rescind his contract and separate from Juventus. We just hope this can happen after Juve secure Champions League qualification and that it is a civilised, relaxed divorce.”
There are several candidates to take over in Turin and Cobolli Gigli certainly has a favourite.
“Juve need to sort their finances out, so cannot afford to hire coaches at the same salary as they paid Allegri, so that rules out Zinedine Zidane. I’d therefore go for a younger coach and Thiago Motta is proving himself at Bologna. He has a modern vision of football and manages to get the absolute best out of his players.
“I’ll be honest, I would love to see him on the Juve bench if Allegri leaves. He would be the perfect profile to open up a new era. I remember Raffaele Palladino when he was a Juventus player during my tenure and I jokingly called him Palladinho, like Ronaldinho. He is doing exceptional things at Monza and has a strong character.”
Cobolli Gigli also has advice for the current Juventus directors when it comes to building the squad, as Rabiot’s contract is due to expire on June 30 and Chiesa next year.
“I am sorry to say this, but I have to be frank and say what I really think: Rabiot is more important for this squad than Chiesa. If I had to sacrifice a player for the balance sheet, it would be Chiesa.
“I say that with great sadness, because he is a champion with marvellous qualities, but he is struggling to express his potential. I also did not like the attitude I saw against Genoa, when Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic – who are great friends – started arguing with each other. It means something isn’t right.”
Vlahovic was later sent off during that 0-0 draw after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent.
“Juve have some good players in the squad, but no great champions, even if Vlahovic could become that if he changes his attitude. He should take the example of Alessandro Del Piero, one of the greatest players Juventus ever had, as once he did not even react when slapped by Cufre during the Roma game. I invite any player to follow the example of Del Piero.”
🚨ESCLUSIVO | Cobolli Gigli: "Ho sempre avuto grande stima in #Allegri, ma penso che la risoluzione del contratto e, quindi, la separazione dalla #Juventus possa essere possibile"
📲@GiokerMusso https://t.co/AZ4u9N8lMQ
— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) March 20, 2024