Allegri chose to stay at Juventus

In a couple of very revealing interviews in recent days, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has shed some light on some goings-on from the just-ended season.

There were rumours circulating that Allegri had turned down Real Madrid when the vacancy there was announced after former Juve great Zinedine Zidane had stepped down.

“Let’s say I said yes to Juventus. I spoke to the President [Florentino Perez] once, and I said that out of respect for the President [Andrea Agnelli], to whom I’d given my word, and Juventus I’d be staying at Juventus.

“It was a decision I’d already taken, and even if other things can happen in life I’d say that I made the decision to stay at Juventus and respected what I’d said, without considering other options.

“I have to thank the Real Madrid President though, for giving me the chance to go there.”

Chelsea were also rumoured to have called him.

“Let’s just say that the decision to stay at Juventus had already been taken, while thanking the ones who sought me out.

“I’ve always said that the President will be the first to know if I want to leave, and the President will have to tell me if he wants to make a change.

“The Juventus project is renewed every year, and every year is competitive. Then Juventus is one of the strongest teams in the world.

“In any case, Juventus have been among the best in Europe for the past four years and we think we can continue to better what we started four years ago.

“I’m very happy to do that, together with the President, together with [general manager Beppe] Marotta, [sporting director Fabio] Paratici and [Vice-President Pavel] Nedved and with all those who work at Juventus.

“Juventus is still an ambitious club, and the President even more so.”

How about the rumours that Mauro Icardi could be swapped with Gonzalo Higuain?

“They are two great strikers and I always say that when there’s a World Cup, the market starts after the World Cup. It’s difficult before then.

“The World Cup always pulls out players we’d have assessed differently beforehand. We don’t have to anything huge just yet. Icardi’s on holiday and Higuain’s at the World Cup.”

He was also asked about the summer’s transfer business so far.

“Mattia Perin’s an excellent purchase, Will Mandzukic stay in Russia or at Juventus? We’ll see.

“Golovin? From the two videos I’ve watched of him, he looks good to me. Cancelo? Juventus always move well in the market and when the market shuts, luckily earlier than before, I’ll have a competitive squad.”