Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri's future in doubt
MILAN (AP) - With Juventus on the verge of making yet more history, the team's coach might just be looking abroad for more challenges.
Juventus won the Italian Cup on Wednesday and needs only one point against Roma on Sunday to secure a record-extending seventh straight Serie A title. It would be Massimiliano Allegri's fourth league and cup double in his four years at the club.
Before his arrival, no Italian club had ever achieved back-to-back doubles, while the last time Juventus had won the league and cup in the same season was in 1995.
Allegri has also steered the team to two Champions League finals and, apart from winning the trophy, there is little else for the 50-year-old Italian to prove at Juventus.
"I have a contract with Juventus and like every year we will sit down at the end of the season to plan the future," said Allegri, who has two more years remaining on his deal. "We need to have the clarity of mind to understand how to improve ourselves even more.
"I am at one of the most decorated teams in the world, we are coming from an important period of victories, winning again is always difficult and you need to always build to try and win on all fronts."
Allegri could have afforded himself a wry smile on Wednesday after comprehensively beating AC Milan 4-0. The Rossoneri fired him in January 2014 and, while they have been through six coaches since then, Allegri went on to join Juventus a few months later.
Allegri replaced Antonio Conte at Juventus when the latter left to take the Italy job. He could follow in those footsteps again if Conte leaves Chelsea after a disappointing season with the London club.
Arsenal is also reportedly interested in Allegri with Arsene Wenger leaving after almost 22 years in charge, while Paris Saint-Germain is in the hunt for a new coach as well.
Allegri has made no secret of the fact he would like to coach abroad.
However, he became furious and stormed away from a television interview muttering about the standard of questions after being asked about his future and if Juventus had reached its peak.
"You never arrive at the maximum, because in life nothing is impossible in my opinion," Allegri said. "I've lost Champions League finals. What maximum? We haven't finished building ... you're asking absurd questions.
"We need to win the league and then fight for the next season ... In football there are a thousand unforeseen circumstances, like Monopoly ... I obviously have completely different ideas about football. Maybe I'm the wrong one as I hear you all talk in the same way ... I'm not tired, I'm very clear-headed, very different to you."
Juventus is reaching the end of an era, with several players set to leave the club as they reach the end of their careers, including captain Gianluigi Buffon - although the 40-year-old goalkeeper has yet to confirm if he will retire at the end of the season.
However, the Bianconeri are quietly hopeful of keeping their coach.
"The relationship between Allegri and Juventus is a splendid one, made of victories and reciprocal happiness," Juventus CEO and general manager Giuseppe Marotta said. "There are all the prerequisites to continue on this path with him and reach even more important targets.
"We'll talk with him when everything's settled, when the title is won. Let's hope the concept with him will be one of harmony and not of separation."