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Marotta: Allegri hired to win Jul 16, 2014 Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta insists new Old Lady Coach Max Allegri has been hired to continue the club’s recent success. The former Milan boss takes over from Antonio Conte, who guided the Bianconeri to three straight Scudetti during his spell in charge in Turin. “The objective is always to continue to win, so we had to act with extreme speed because the season started a few days ago,” Marotta said at the Press conference to announce Allegri’s unveiling. “So, we identified the person with the profile best suited to replacing a winning Coach like Antonio Conte. “Here with me is Max Allegri, who you know well. Max Allegri is a Coach who has shown he can win every time he has been called to. “He won the League with Sassuolo, he did very well with Cagliari at a club who see survival as the prime target. That year, he earned recognition by winning the Serie A Coach of the Year award. “Then, he was appointed by Milan and in his first year he won the Scudetto. We are opening this chapter with the principles and ideals that have been there throughout our history. “We want to continue our cycle of victories.”

Official: Juve hire Allegri Jul 16, 2014 Juventus have confirmed via social media that they have appointed Max Allegri to succeed Antonio Conte. The old boss’ shock resignation was confirmed yesterday evening and the Old Lady have acted swiftly in bringing the former Milan boss to Turin. “Allegri is the new manager of Juventus,” a brief note on the club’s Twitter account reads. Allegri will imminently be unveiled in his new role at a Press conference, due to begin at 15.00 CET.

Mancini: Juve didn’t approach me Jul 16, 2014 Roberto Mancini has revealed Juventus did not approach him regarding their coaching position, which has been taken by Max Allegri. Antonio Conte’s shock departure from the Old Lady hot-seat yesterday evening briefly left a vacant position, which has now been filled by the former Milan boss. “Juve never pursued me, maybe I cost too much!” Mancini is quoted as saying by La Repubblica. “It’s [Conte leaving] difficult to judge from the outside. The only thing that could be a problem is that the team were at the training camp with him. “Conte had been coaching them for three years and he knew what the problems could be.” Mancini added that he had no doubt Conte would soon be able to find a new club and also expressed his belief that Juve would move on without their successful Coach. “I was working abroad for many years and there are a lot of opportunities. Juve are a big club, like Milan, Inter and Napoli, who can win.”

Serie A fixture date announced Jul 16, 2014 Fixtures for the upcoming Serie A season will be announced on Monday July 28, it has been confirmed. ANSA have revealed that the games for the 2014-15 campaign will be drawn live on Sky Sport Italia in their studios in Milan. The opening matches of the season will be on August 31.

What will Vidal and Pogba think now? Juventus have scored an own goal by appointing Allegri The decision to hand the recently-vacated hotseat to the former AC Milan boss has had many Juve fans reacting with anger, and rightly so. Jul 16, 2014 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent “Andrea, our coach Massimiliano Allegri reckons that if you stay, you won’t be able to play in front of the defence. He’s got a different role in mind for you. Still in midfield, but on the left.” Those were the words of CEO Adriano Galliani on the day Andrea Pirlo’s spell with AC Milan came to an end. After 10 years at one club, most players get a testimonial. Pirlo got a kick in the backside. But it was Allegri who felt it the most in the long term. Pirlo took the snub with dignity, went to Juventus and won three successive titles. He was the metronome around which Antonio Conte based his entire squad, and the catalyst behind the club’s revival. While all this was going on, Allegri was making major errors of judgement. Having won the Scudetto in his first season in charge, he let the success go to his head. He decided that Pirlo and Mark van Bommel couldn’t play in the same side, and the Dutchman couldn’t perform anywhere but in front of the back four. Despite Van Bommel later going on to show at PSV that he had more than enough ability to play off-centre, the coach was adamant, and without Pirlo Milan struggled to gain midfield control in many of their fixtures. He also risked Thiago Silva’s fitness against Roma three days before a Champions League clash with Barcelona, the Brazilian lasted 10 minutes, missed the rest of the season, Milan lost the title and the defender never played for the club again. Tactically, he proved himself to be short too. Much of his spell with the Rossoneri was focused on the individual brilliance of one man. In his first two seasons, that man was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but after the failure to win the title in 2012 the Swede was gone. The following term began abysmally, with only Stephan El Shaarawy’s meteoric rise saving Milan from ignominy, and the January signing of Mario Balotelli gave Allegri a new totem pole to lean on. There was also nothing of note that appeared to come from the training ground. After cleverly posting Mauro Tassotti to the task of working with Ignazio Abate immediately after being given the Milan job, Allegri’s coaching gained little extra credence. Other than the converted right-back, there were no obvious improvements in any of the players he had inherited. The result of it all was that in January 2014, with Milan struggling in the bottom half of Serie A, Allegri was fired. The Diavolo had lost 17 points from leading positions over the first half of the season, culminating in a 4-3 loss at lowly Sassuolo. Allegri may have had little support on the market in a time of austerity, but he had done absolutely nothing to help himself. There was no direction, no tactical ingenuity and no real rhyme or reason to team selection. His Milan had become one of the ugliest sides the club had had in living memory. When he was pushed out of the same door from which Pirlo departed two-and-a-half years earlier, nobody could have foreseen that his destination would be the same as the midfielder’s. The decision by Juventus to follow the resignation of Antonio Conte with the appointment of Allegri is a major own goal. A club already in chaos – with the the futures of star players in doubt, political wranglings, transfer plans up in the air, Conte’s resignation fresh in the mind, and a disappointing European season to make up for – has just added another item to its list of issues. Will Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal, who has been flirting with Manchester United the past week, see the arrival of Allegri as a good reason to stick around? No. Will potential replacements believe that the ex-Cagliari and Sassuolo boss is the man to entrust with their short to long-term futures? Probably not. Will the 46-year-old continue the recent trend of Juve playing high-energy, attack-heavy football? History suggests no. Juventus have not signed a coach who will take them forward. They have signed somebody with a proven track record for going along with whatever his employers throw his way. It might sound like the kind of thing they need having just lost a man who was unwilling to meet them halfway, but Allegri’s approach hasn’t got him nearly far enough in the past. Roma in particular have dealt very well this summer, bringing in the experience of Ashley Cole and Seydou Keita. But the biggest boost to any potential Scudetto challenger has come in Turin this week. The exit of Conte was enough to have the rest of Serie A rubbing its hands with glee. The appointment of Allegri will probably spark parties in every non-Juventino house in the country.

Juventus confirm Allegri appointment The reigning Italian champions have announced the 46-year-old as the replacement to Antonio Conte and the new boss stressed his delight at being given such a chance. Jul 16, 2014 Juventus have confirmed the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach. The Serie A champions were looking for a new trainer following the shock departure of Antonio Conte on Tuesday and they have now named the former AC Milan coach as their new boss. "For me it is an honour to be called as coach of Juventus," he told reporters at a press conference to reveal his arrival on Wednesday. "I am content and happy to coach Juventus. "Today and tomorrow I begin my work. I am at the club's disposal. I know this is an important role. Juventus have won the Scudetto for three straight years, I am here to continue to winning with this team. "I am lucky because for four years I had the fortune to coach Milan, and now I have the opportunity to coach another big team like Juventus. It is an honour and I want to keep winning. "We will fight for the Scudetto until the bitter end. In Europe we have a duty to put in a big showing in the Champions League." Allegri had been out of work ever since he was fired by the San Siro side back in January and he will now be looking to redeem himself at Juve. The 46-year-old started his coaching career at Aglianese and also took charge of Real SPAL, Grosseto, Sassuolo and Cagliari before taking over at Milan in 2010. He guided the San Siro outfit to the Serie A title in his first season, but failed to replicate that feat in the following seasons - partially due to the departure of stars such as Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Allegri will be looking to guide Juventus - who confirmed the deal on their Twitter - to their fourth consecutive Scudetto, while the club's board of directors will also expect European success. Juventus were disappointingly eliminated in the group stages of the Champions League last term after making it to the quarter-finals the season before.

Allegri to be named as new Juventus coach The former AC Milan boss has agreed a two-year deal with the Bianconeri, with official confirmation of his appointment expected soon. Jul 16, 2014 By Romeo Agresti Massimiliano Allegri is to be named as the new coach of Juventus following the sudden departure of Antonio Conte, Goal understands. Conte guided the Turin side to three consecutive Serie A titles after taking over in the summer of 2011, but decided to resign on Tuesday over his frustration with the club's transfer policy. Juventus have wasted no time in finding a replacement, though, and on Wednesday morning Allegri held successful talks with Bianconeri president Andrea Agnelli where the pair agreed on a two-year deal worth €2 million a season plus bonuses. Official confirmation of the appointment could arrive on Wednesday, with Allegri starting his new job on Thursday. The Juve hierarchy had already held two phone conversations with the 46-year-old on Tuesday evening to sound him out about taking over the Old Lady. Allegri has been out of work since he was sacked by AC Milan in January of this year and he sees Juventus as the perfect challenge to get his career back on track.

Allegri unveiled at Juve this afternoon Jul 16, 2014 Massimiliano Allegri will be officially unveiled as the new Juventus Coach at 14.00 UK time this afternoon. Despite no word from the Bianconeri, it is widely believed that the former Milan man has already signed a two-year contract to succeed Antonio Conte. The 44-year-old shocked fans all over the world on Tuesday when he revealed he was stepping down after three years in charge. The champions seem to have acted quickly to appoint a new man though, and have turned to the former Rossoneri boss. And several reports, including one from La Stampa, believe that a Press conference will be called for 15.00 CET, where Allegri will be unveiled and answer questions from the Press.

Allegri pens Juve deal Jul 16, 2014 Several outlets in the Italian Press confirm that Massimiliano Allegri has just signed a two-year contract with Juventus. Reports emerged last night that the former Milan man was the favourite to succeed Antonio Conte following his resignation. The 44-year-old shocked the football world on Tuesday evening by confirming that he was leaving the Bianconeri after three years in charge. And a number of sources, including Sky Sport Italia believe that the 46-year-old has, just now, put pen-to-paper on a contract. Allegri will take charge of the champions for two years, and earn €2m per season. Official confirmation from the Turin outfit is expected imminently.

Allegri finalising Juve details Jul 16, 2014 Sky Sport Italia claim that Massimiliano Allegri is just negotiating the details of his contract with Juventus, but could be in training later today. Antonio Conte shocked the football world last night by revealing that he was stepping down as Bianconeri Coach after three years. It is believed that the 44-year-old fell out with the club’s hierarchy over transfer strategy, with the board members in Turin happy to sell Arturo Vidal or Paul Pogba. As such, the champions have acted quickly to appoint a successor, and are set to announce the former Milan man has the new Coach on a two-year deal. The station reports that Allegri actually spoke with Juve last night, and is, right now, finalising arrangements with the club on a deal worth €2m per season. The 46-year-old is then set to travel to Vinovo later today, and could be in place to take charge of training this evening.

Pirlo's Juve future in doubt? Jul 16, 2014 Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus future could be in doubt, with reports that Massimiliano Allegri will take charge. Antonio Conte announced his resignation as Bianconeri boss last night after falling out with the club over transfer strategy. As such, the champions have acted quickly in lining up a successor, with stories emanating that the former Milan man has agreed a two-year deal. But that news could throw Pirlo’s future in Turin in doubt, at least according to Tuttosport. The paper believes that the veteran midfielder could angle for a move away following their previous indiscretions. Pirlo was shown the door at San Siro by Allegri back in 2011, but has gone on to become the lynchpin of Juve’s three title wins. The sports daily claims that the Italy international is uneasy about working with the 46-year-old again, but the tactician is desperate to heal old wounds and keep his star man.

Allegri agrees Juve deal Jul 16, 2014 Reports in the Italian Press this morning claim that Massimiliano Allegri has agreed a two-year deal with Juventus. Antonio Conte shocked the football world last night when he revealed he was stepping down as Coach after three title-winning years. Rumours suggest that the 44-year-old fell out with the Juve hierarchy over transfer strategy, with the club willing to sell Arturo Vidal or Paul Pogba. And several sources, including Mediaset and giornalaccio rosa dello Sport believe that the former Milan boss has already spoken with the Bianconeri, and agreed a two-year contract. Allegri was sacked by the Rossoneri mid-way through last season after a miserable start to the campaign. But it seems that the Old Lady see the 46-year-old as the man to guide them to a fourth successive Scudetto and European glory.

Allegri set for Juve job Jul 15, 2014 According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus are in negotiations with Massimiliano Allegri to replace Antonio Conte. Allegri had already been named as one of the candidates for the Bianconeri job along with Roberto Mancini, Luciano Spalletti and Zinedine Zidane. This evening Sky Sport Italia claim Juve are in talks with Allegri and he could even be at the Vinovo training ground on Wednesday morning. Conte left the club this evening, terminating his contract by mutual consent and is widely expected to become Italy Coach. Allegri was fired by Milan in January after the worst first half to their Serie A season in decades.

Buffon: 'Conte bolt from the blue' Jul 15, 2014 Juventus captain Gigi Buffon admits Antonio Conte quitting two days into pre-season training is “a bolt from the blue.” The announcement was made this evening with Conte recording a video message on the club’s official website, even though pre-season training only began yesterday. “It was an unexpected decision, a bolt from the blue,” said Buffon at a Press conference that had already been organised for the club he owns shares in – Carrarese. “Seeing the words used and the tone of the messages, we can see both the Coach and club reached this decision by mutual consent without any type of anger. “Probably it is something that matured over time and had been brewing for a while until it reached its epilogue today. “The reason? I don’t know, as I haven’t spoken to him, though I will do as soon as possible. When you reach decisions like this, the only reason can be you no longer want to continue this type of work.” Conte had a contract until June 30 2015, but renewal talks faltered and the sudden decision to terminate by mutual consent occurred very quickly, considering pre-season training only began on Monday. “Maybe something happened over the last few days that destabilised the situation,” mused Buffon. “Juventus lose a great deal, because it’s pointless denying what our Coach truly brings to the team and how much of the credit he deserves for the last three years. “It is true that over these years we have all matured, so we have a solid club and directors who will be able to cover this serious loss. “We players also need to do everything we can to find that sense of responsibility and prove we can do it too. It is important to send that signal.” Among the candidates to replace Conte are Luciano Spalletti, Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Mancini. “It is not Year Zero, as over the three years we have all matured, thanks also to the Coach and club. It is exciting. “Am I worried? We don’t know who will arrive, so I look to the present and say we have lost a wonderful Coach, an extra value, but the fundamental players remain and a solid club that will be able to work towards a great Juventus. “These are the certainties the fans should rely on and relax knowing they are there.” Buffon was asked whether Conte would now become the new Italy Coach, replacing Cesare Prandelli after the dismal World Cup. “I am certainly not surprised by your fervid fantasies, in fact I have to smile because you know your jobs. “I think the Coach is not thinking about the future, but in a very calm and relaxed manner is discussing his irrevocable decision. “Will he reconsider? I really doubt it, as when official statements with video messages are released, that’s pretty much it.”

'Conte's departure leaves me enormously sad' - Agnelli The Juventus president wrote an open letter to the departing coach, praising him for his work over the last three years but insists the club will continue to improve. Jul 15, 2014 Andrea Agnelli has written an open letter to Antonio Conte, saying his departure leaves the Juventus president "enormously sad". The club confirmed on Tuesday that the 44-year-old has departed the club after handing in his resignation, bringing an end to a successful stint in which the Italian giants won three consecutive Serie A titles. And Agnelli praised the coach for his service and returning silverware to the club in each of his three years in charge. "Dear Antonio, you were a great leader for our players and this news leaves me enormously sad," wrote Agnelli wrote on the Juventus website. "I think of the three years we spent together, three years that brought us to write history with this club: three consecutive Scudetti, two Italian Super Cups, but above all exponential growth." The 38-year-old reassured fans that the club will continue to improve instead of regress without Conte. "Only two months have passed since the last great victory and Juventus must continue their journey. "This club is gifted today with a young, ready and cohesive group of directors who over the years have been able to find the ambition and determination to achieve any target. "Juventus begin again from a very talented and professional group of athletes, who will be at the disposal of the new coach in order to continue writing the present and the future."

Llorente: I want to be at Juventus for as long as possible The Spanish striker hopes to stay with the club for many years and is looking to improve on his impressive goalscoring record next season. Jul 15, 2014 Fernando Llorente says he would love to play for Juventus for "as long as possible". The Spanish striker enjoyed a bright first season at the Italian giants as they secured a third consecutive Serie A title ahead of Roma. And Llorente insists he is hoping to improve on his goalscoring rate of 16 goals in 34 appearances and says he would love to stay at the club for many years. "For me, staying at this great club is something incredible. I am very happy to be here and I hope I can have another great season," he told reporters. "I hope can do even better than last season, I would love to stay as long as possible." Despite signing a one-year contract at the end of the season, coach Antonio Conte's long term future is still in doubt at the Italian giants and Llorente maintains that it will not affect him or the rest of the team. "There have been other times I have played in teams with coaches who only had one year on their contract. "In Italy you are used to coaches having many years on their contract, but many prefer for that not to be the case. There is no difference, in the end the moment could come this season when he renews. "Conte is a great coach and he will give everything for the team as he has always done."

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Lichtsteiner set for Juve deal? Jul 15, 2014 Juventus have reportedly rejected an offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Stephan Lichtsteiner and will commit him to a new contract. Apparent issues in negotiations to extend his current deal beyond its June 2015 expiry had raised the possibility and speculation that the Switzerland international could be sold this summer. However, reports in the defender’s home country indicate that a push from PSG to pick up the 30-year-old has proven unsuccessful. It is understood that Juve and Lichtsteiner are instead closing in on an agreement for a two-year extension.

Llorente: Conte contract no problem Jul 14, 2014 Juventus’ Fernando Llorente says the fact Coach Antonio Conte has only a year left on his contract will have no influence on the Old Lady. The Bianconeri tactician’s future was placed into doubt towards the end of last season, but he eventually agreed to remain in Turin for another year. “There have been other times I have played in teams with Coaches who only had one year on their contract,” Llorente told a Press conference. “In Italy you are used to Coaches having many years on their contract, but many prefer for that not to be the case. There is no difference, in the end the moment could come this season when he renews. “Conte is a great Coach and he will give everything for the team as he has always done.” Llorente also passed comment on Italy’s poor performance at the World Cup and said he was surprised at the Azzurri’s failure to reach the knockout stages. “I am sorry for Italy, because I thought they could have gone on for longer. The match with Uruguay was very even. “Italy had chances to win, but that’s football.”

‘4-3-3? Only if Conte says so’ Jul 14, 2014 Fernando Llorente has not ruled out the possibility of Juventus switching to a 4-3-3 formation this season. The Old Lady deployed a 3-5-2 system last year in another successful defence of their Serie A title. However, at a Press conference today, it was put to the Spanish forward that the teams who have enjoyed success in European competition of late have tended to operate with a 4-3-3. “For me it’s the same, the only thing I want is to play to help the team,” Llorente said. “I will do everything the boss tells me to. “We will play in the way he says. We’ll see how we play best, we still have a lot of work to do in training. We will see in the end. “We need to have the possibility of playing in other ways. We’ll see if the boss believes the 4-3-3 is possible with the players we have and the ones who could arrive. “As I said before, we still have a lot of work to do. We need to see whether we’ll still be a strong team if we change system, if we do it well we will see.”

Llorente explains early return Jul 14, 2014 Fernando Llorente says he began pre-season training before the rest of the Juventus squad because he needs more time to gain fitness. The Bianconeri returned to begin preparations for the new campaign today, with the exception of the Spaniard who started a week ago. Speaking at a Press conference today, the forward admitted he struggled physically in the early part of last year and revealed his decision was based on a desire to avoid a repeat. “It’s true that I have already been training here for a week,” Llorente told journalists. “I think that for me it’s important because I am a player who takes a bit of time to get into shape physically. “Given that at the start of last year I had some problems at the start, I wanted to train a bit earlier. “Hopefully now I will suffer a little less at the start, where we will work a lot. I hope it all goes well.” Llorente then spoke of his desire to remain an Old Lady player for years to come. “For me, staying at this club is something incredible. I am very happy to be here and I hope I can have another great season. “Hopefully I can be even better, because for me staying here for all the years I can is very important.”

Llorente: Serie A the priority Jul 14, 2014 Juventus forward Fernando Llorente says confirming their supremacy in Serie A will remain the Old Lady’s priority this season. The Turin side have won the Scudetto in each of the last three campaigns. As such their performances in Europe are set to come under greater scrutiny this year. However, speaking at a Press conference today, the Spaniard warned his side against complacency in domestic competition and said Serie A would remain the club’s barometer of success. “Confirming our domination in Serie A is very important for us, it’s a very difficult League,” Llorente stated on the first day of Juve’s pre-season training. “In the first year it was very hard and we suffered against the smaller teams too. “Roma have strengthened and then there are very big teams like Napoli and the new Milan. There is Inter too. “For us it will be very important to confirm ourselves again as the best in the League. Concentrating on the League will be important because if we do well in Serie A, we will also do well in the cups.” Llorente also insisted the Old Lady would be able to compete in Europe despite their lack of financial clout and discussed perspective new signing, compatriot Alvaro Morata. “There is no need to be worried. We saw Atletico Madrid, without a lot of money they had a spectacular season. That’s the path to follow. “Morata has done great things in Madrid. We’ll see what happens, these are things that concern the club. “However, he still hasn’t called me.”

Pogba: Happy for this award Jul 14, 2014 Paul Pogba has briefly commented on being handed the Best Young Player Award at the close of the World Cup. On from Germany’s success in defeating Argentina after extra time on Sunday night, the Juventus man was announced as having beaten out France teammate Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay of the Netherlands to be voted best young player of the World Cup. “Happy for this award,” Pogba responded through his Twitter account overnight. “Thanks @equipedefrance who without whom it would not make sense. The goal remains #EURO2016!!”