Agnelli explains why Juventus brought back Allegri

Juventus finally officially unveiled Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach, bringing back the decorated former boss two years after they split, during which time Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo took charge.

Speaking at the press conference, club President Andrea Agnelli started off with a congratulatory note for La Nazionale.

“It’s the first time I talk since Italy won the Euros. I wanted to congratulate Italy, President Gravina, the coach, his staff, and the players, particularly Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa. It was a thrilling month, we were not the favourites and the team spirit made the difference, so congratulation on that.”

He went on to talk about Allegri and how the club made the decision to bring him back.

“I don’t have many updates, but today is Max’s day, so I won’t talk for too long. It’s useless to present him and repeat what he’s won once again. Perhaps, the streak of Serie A titles he’s won is something impossible to equal. He embodies our spirit, which is to achieve a victory, even if it’s a narrow one.

“We analysed what Juventus could have been with the return of Allegri, we agreed that it could have been a risky choice for both of us because of his glorious past and the expectations that he would bring.

“However, expectations bring prejudice and an element that underestimates all the steps needed to achieve a result and this is very wrong.

“Here at Juventus, we work hard every day to achieve victories. We can’t take victories for granted, whoever thinks that the trophies we’ve won over the last few years have been less appreciated is wrong because, behind every trophy and every season, there is a great commitment, sacrifice and desire to win.”

That last sentence appeared to be a response to a dig by former coach Sarri who had indicated that the Scudetto he won in his sole season at the club was not celebrated.

Agnelli added that he and the club leadership had a responsibility to provide Allegri with the tools to succeed.

“What Juventus can give is the right environment to reach these results. Every victory has been achieved thanks to hard work. As Max has said many times, winning is not for everybody.

“A new season begins, our target is to be competitive for every trophy in March, then we’ll see.

“Last but not least, Max and Juventus are not together for friendship, even if we are friends. Max is the coach of Juventus for the next four years because he has the credibility to write an exciting new chapter.

“He believes that this new group of directors will be able to act following the club’s tradition, made of work, sacrifice and, often, victories. Max is back because he recognises these values, we are looking forward to what the future has in store.”