Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Massimiliano Allegri 'will' take Chelsea job, Juventus boss' mentor believes

Massimiliano Allegri will leave Juventus to become Chelsea's next permanent manager this summer, according to mentor and former coach Giovanni Galeone.

"If I were Allegri, I would even walk there -- and I think he will," Galeone told Radio Radio. "Allegri is certainly among the five best coaches in the world. I think he will leave Juve because the offer from Chelsea is truly fantastic.

Guus Hiddink is currently in his second interim spell in charge at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Jose Mourinho in December, as owner Roman Abramovich and his advisors whittle down a shortlist of preferred candidates to take over at the end of the season.

With the Russian's dream choice, Pep Guardiola, now confirmed to be heading to Manchester City at the end of his Bayern Munich contract, Allegri has emerged as a frontrunner for the Chelsea job after winning Serie A titles with AC Milan and Juventus during a six-year spell competing at the top of Italian football.

Earlier this week Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta warned that Allegri should think twice before leaving Turin for Chelsea, but Galeone -- who coached the 48-year-old during his playing career at Pescara, Perugia and Napoli before appointing him his assistant while coach of Udinese -- believes it would be foolish for him to reject a move to Stamford Bridge.

Galeone said: "For me, it would make no sense staying in Italy. Like I said, I think he will leave Juventus and I can see him doing very well in England.

"He's doing an incredible job, considering that in the summer Juventus did not sign anybody who he had asked for, such as [Mario] Gotze, Isco or the others."

Other managers reported to be under consideration for the Chelsea job include Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, Italy coach Antonio Conte and outgoing Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The Premier League champions languish in 13th in the table after 25 matches of the campaign.

ESPN FC's Italy correspondent Ben Gladwell contributed to this report.

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