FILE - In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019 filer, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri stands on the touchline before the Champions League quarterfinal, first leg, soccer match between Ajax and Juventus at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Juventus has announced that coach Massimiliano Allegri is leaving at the end of the season.A brief club statement says, âMassimiliano Allegri will not be on the Juventus bench for the 2019/2020 season,â adding that Allegri and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli will hold a joint press conference on Saturday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
The Associated Press
TURIN, Italy (AP) - Massimiliano Allegri will not coach Juventus next season, leading to speculation the Italian club champion is preparing to rehire former manager Antonio Conte.
Allegri "will not be on the Juventus bench" for 2019-20, the club said in a brief statement on Friday, adding Allegri and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli will hold a news conference on Saturday.
Allegri's contract was due to expire at the end of next season and he indicated he would remain in place when Juventus clinched a record-extending eighth straight Serie A title last month.
Allegri has been in charge of Juventus for the last five seasons. He led the team to two Champions League finals but Juventus appears frustrated by not being able to win the European trophy - especially after signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid before this season.
Juventus was eliminated by Ajax in the quarterfinals a month ago.
Conte led Juventus to the first three titles of the club's current run then left to coach Italy through the 2016 European Championship. He coached Chelsea to the English Premier League title in 2017 but was fired by the London club in 2018 and has been out of work ever since.
Conte said recently he wants to coach again next season but without specifying where.
Allegri's final two matches with Juventus will be against Atalanta on Sunday in Turin and at Sampdoria the following weekend.
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FILE - In this Sunday, March 4, 2018 file photo, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte waits for the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegriâs future is up in the air with speculation continuing to mount that he will leave at the end of the season and could be replaced by Antonio Conte. Juventus has already won the Serie A title and Allegri is using the extra time to sort out his plans. His contract at Juventus expires at the end of the season. Conte has been out of a job since being fired by Chelsea last year but could be set for a return to Italian football. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
The Associated Press
Juventus's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, celebrates after scoring the goal with teammate Moise Kean during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus FC and Torino FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Alessandro Di Marco/ansa via AP)
The Associated Press
Juventus's Cristiano Ronaldo jubilates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs Torino FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Alessandro Di Marco/ansa via AP)
The Associated Press