Allegri mentor reveals he ‘had Napoli agreement and waited for Inter call’ | OneFootball

Max Allegri’s mentor, Giovanni Galeone, reveals the new Milan coach ‘had an agreement with Napoli and then waited to the last minute for a call from Inter.’

The tactician had been taking time out since his dismissal at Juventus, just hours after winning the Coppa Italia in 2024.

He returned to action with a contract at Milan, which he formally signed on May 30.

However, his mentor Galeone revealed to the Messaggero Veneto newspaper that his plans this season were very different.

Allegri had other options before Milan

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on April 27, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I think Max waited to the last minute for a call from Inter,” said Galeone.

“He had an agreement with Napoli, before Antonio Conte decided to stay.”

The deal with Napoli was not exactly a secret, as it was well known he had been lined up as insurance in case Conte decided to move on in the wake of the Scudetto victory.

“Up until the day of the Scudetto victory, I was certain that Conte would leave, just as he had done at Juventus and Inter,” added Galeone.

“Evidently, he received reassurances from Aurelio De Laurentiis, such as the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne.”

Massimiliano Allegri Juventus (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

When Inter saw Simone Inzaghi walk away for a new role in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, Galeone expected Allegri to be in the frame for that job.

Instead, they tried to secure Cesc Fabregas from Como, then finally poached Cristian Chivu from Parma.

“As far as I knew, Inzaghi had promised himself to the Saudi club for at least six months. It’s strange that Beppe Marotta, who worked with Allegri at Juve, did not choose him instead.

“With all due respect for Chivu, when dealing with a club that played two Champions League Finals in three seasons, you cannot hire a coach with just 13 Serie A games under his belt.”