In the second part of his interview with La Stampa, Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli said Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto De Zerbi are ‘different but unique’ and admitted he hopes to reunite with the Brighton boss one day.
Locatelli spoke to La Stampa on the eve of Saturday’s Derby della Mole against Torino. The Italy international joined Juventus from Sassuolo in 2021 and had worked with De Zerbi at the Mapei Stadium for three years.
The 25-year-old was asked about the differences between RDZ and Allegri, his current coach in Turin.
“They are opposite but unique. I feel close to De Zerbi because he changed my life. I was a kid who needed that sort of experience at Sassuolo. Get some slaps to then join a top team again.
“When I arrived at Juventus I found a person with an impressive mentality. I like to listen to winners and he [Allegri] is as such. People can say all they want, but Allegri has always won.”
De Zerbi had praised Locatelli in his latest interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport in August saying that the Juventus midfielder is one of the two players he’d take “everywhere.”
Locatelli insisted that he wants to remain at Juventus but refused to rule out a reunion with his former coach one day.
“We often talk, but I want to stay here for a long time and Roberto knows it. We’ll meet again in the future. We both hope so.”
Locatelli made his senior debut at Milan in 2016 but moved to Sassuolo after two years with the Rossoneri. Leaving the Diavoli was a shock for the young Manuel, who has then learned from his mistakes.
“I returned to Milanello for the first time last month with the national team,” he said.
“It was so painful I had never returned earlier, but now I am more serene. I used to blame others all the time and find excuses, but then I opened my eyes.”