LEEDS will plot an ambitious move to land Massimiliano Allegri if Marcelo Bielsa quits this summer, according to reports.
The Whites are looking to the future as they plan for life if their Argentine boss walks at the end of the season.
Bielsa, 65, is out of contract at Elland Road this summer but has hinted he will sign a one-year extension.
He has promised Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani he will give his decision before the end of the season.
Bielsa previously said: “I am not going to be in contact with anyone and no-one has offered me anything.
“I understand that the club may have the needs to clear this up more quickly. That’s why I think it’s perfectly normal to have a list of alternatives.
“I always propose that all the games are finished, not for me, but for those that give me a job. Perhaps in the third of the season that’s left they could confirm they want to continue with me, but it could also happen that they don’t.
“So it’s not me who has an attitude of speculation against Leeds. It’s just a precaution that tends to favour the club and not me.”
He took charge in June 2018, guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League in his second season in the dugout.
Leeds sit 12th in their first season back in the big time but the ex-Argentina boss has spent more time with his side than any other club during his managerial career.
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According to Duncan Castles, Radrizzani will target Allegri to take the club to the next level should Bielsa leave.
Allegri, 53, has been without work since leaving Juventus in the summer of 2019.
The Italian has a huge reputation having won five Serie A titles with Juve, one with AC Milan and four Coppa Italia’s.
He has not been short of options in a return to management having already reportedly turned down Arsenal and Chelsea due to family problems.
Leeds could face stiff competition from LaLiga giants Real Madrid for Allegri.
Los Blancos will consider him as a prime candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane should they sack the Frenchman.
The Sunday Times write how Sevilla’s Europa League-winning boss Julen Lopetegui is also on the shortlist.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk