Allegri’s ex-coach adds fuel to speculation: “He told me that Milan have a great squad” | OneFootball

Max Allegri’s former coach Giovanni Galeone has fuelled rumours that he could return to AC Milan, and made a bold prediction regarding delivering a trophy quickly.

Allegri has been out of work since leaving Juventus towards the end of last season and he did so under a storm cloud following the Coppa Italia win over Atalanta. Now, it seems that he is ready for a new challenge ahead of 2025-26.

Milan meanwhile must make some crucial decisions, such as hiring a sporting director. Then Sergio Conceicao’s fate will be known, but La Gazzetta dello Sport reported this week that Allegri feels Milan are the right next club for him, and the interest is mutual.

Galeone remains friends with Allegri and is credited as being a mentor of sorts for the Livorno-born coach. He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport, answering questions about a possible second spell with the Rossoneri.

Would you be surprised by his return?

“Of course not! In fact, I don’t know why they didn’t think of it before. I thought he would return in the summer, when the club then chose other solutions, first Fonseca and then Conceiçao.

“He would be perfect to start a new cycle: Max knows the environment, he has experience. And then he is him, he is simply Max.”

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Allegri would bring knowledge and experience, what could Milan offer Max instead?

“Massimiliano still has a great desire to show himself, he has an incredible desire to return. In previous years he refused incredible offers from the Premier League or PSG. The French managers even called me to convince him to go!

“There was no way. In Arabia they offered him golden bridges and he didn’t. He is looking for a stimulating challenge and he loves Serie A, Milan can offer him all this.”

Would Max have to be convinced with an expensive transfer campaign?

“Not at all. Already at the start of the season he told me that Milan have a great squad, a team where you can work well. Technically it is a high-level team. It has super players: it is not easy to find a midfield with Reijnders and Fofana. Few have them.

“Max would do well for many reasons: I am convinced that in a couple of years he would win the league title again. A couple of additions would be enough, but not much and without breaking the bank.”

Would Leao be suited to Allegri?

“Rafa is a player with stratospheric qualities. It’s a shame that he doesn’t have continuity and that he’s not easy to manage. But I think that at the same time he knows how to make himself loved, and with Max all the most ‘difficult’ players have always had a great relationship.

“From Rabiot to Pogba with whom he also played basketball: they were his protégés. Max and Rafa would have no communication problems. When he returned to Juve, Allegri kept his old identity. He would do the same at Milan, without having to overturn anything.”

Not even in terms of style of play?

“There, everyone has their own style. Allegri would certainly bring serenity to the evaluations. It’s true that he loses his temper every now and then, but he’s always very good at making decisions.

“He knows how to quickly understand the categories of the players and make them perform to their best qualities.”

Is this Milan already competitive in your eyes too?

“Let’s see if Maignan is back to being the great goalkeeper he once was. I don’t mind the defenders, especially Pavlovic: he has strength and desire, if you teach him how to play he can make the difference. Max is right: it’s a team that settles down quickly.”

And what about his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

“There were old disagreements, things that in football are resolved in an instant.”