Galeone: ‘Allegri the right man for Napoli, I think De Laurentiis has reached out to him’ | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri’s mentor believes that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reached out to the former Juventus boss to make an enquiry about his potential availability to join the Partenopei should they part ways with Antonio Conte.

Giovanni Galeone is one of Allegri’s closest friends, but admits the 57-year-old has remained inscrutable about his future destination, claiming that no one has approached him until now.

However, Galeone still recalls a moment back in time when De Laurentiis expressed his admiration for then-Milan coach Allegri explicitly, suggesting this could be a good moment to resume talks with the coach and try to put him under contract.

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY – MARCH 16: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of Juventus, reacts in frustration during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Juventus at Europa-Park Stadion on March 16, 2023 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

Galeone: ‘Allegri a safe bet for Napoli and De Laurentiis knows it”

“We exchanged messages a few days ago — I didn’t ask too much, so as not to be intrusive,” Galeone told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview.

“But he, being the charming liar he is, reassured me: ‘Mister, no one has called me!’ And I said, ‘Come on, Max, not a single inquiry by the end of May?’ Personally, I think De Laurentiis has reached out.

“Years ago, Allegri was at Milan, we were having dinner at Giannino, and De Laurentiis shows up and literally hijacks him, taking him to his table. You could sense the mutual respect instantly.

“De Laurentiis knows Max is a safe bet. And a coaching handover between them would be quite compelling — just like at Juve, when the transition from Conte to Allegri kicked off a cycle of five Scudetti and two Champions League finals.

NAPLES, ITALY – JUNE 26: Antonio Conte new SSC Napoli head coach and Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli president during SSC Napoli new manager unveiling on June 26, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“The team is inferior to others, and Conte did a brilliant job overturning the odds. But Allegri is the right man for any club — he would be for Napoli too, as he likes the group they have.”

Galeone was also asked what he would do if he were in Conte’s position, as the Italian coach is reportedly considering ending his time at the Stadio Diego Maradona after a single season, despite steering them to the Serie A title.

“The team is inferior to others, and Conte did a brilliant job overturning the odds. But Allegri is the right man for any club — he would be for Napoli too, as he likes the group they have.”

According to a recent report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli are willing to offer Massimiliano Allegri a two-year contract worth €6m per season.