FORMER Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri could succeed Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager if the Frenchman departs this summer.
Club legend Zidane’s future is uncertain after a disappointing campaign, with reports in Spain int he last week suggesting he had told his squad he will be leaving at the end of the season.
Zidane, 48, vehemently denied that after Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
The Frenchman insisted: “How can I tell my players that I’m leaving the club at this stage of the season?
“I’ve not said anything to my players about my future.”
But with uncertainty surrounding the boss’ future, it is reported Los Blancos chiefs have approached Allegri, 53, as a possible replacement.
According to Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, the ex-Juve boss has been in ‘direct contact’ with Real Madrid since March.
He is also said to be wanted by some Italian clubs, but Allegri is waiting on how things will pan out with Zidane and Madrid.
Zidane hinted that he could step down in a recent press conference.
He said: “It’s not, the only thing about me is that what I do, I do to the end, and then there comes a time when it’s the moment to change.
“For everyone, not just for me. For the club, for the good of the club, for the people.
“I don’t leave because it’s easy. It’s not like I turn away and don’t look back.
“No, there are moments when you have to be there and there are moments when that’s it, it’s finished, it’s time to change. But for the good of everyone, not just for me.”
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Zidane’s Real Madrid side were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League by Chelsea earlier this month.
And they remain two points adrift of Atletico Madrid in LaLiga with just one match remaining after a late Luis Suarez goal kept Diego Simeone’s side top of the table heading into the final weekend.
Meanwhile, Allegri won the Serie A title in all five seasons he was in charge of Juventus.
He also won four Coppa Italia titles and finished runner-up in the Champions League on two occasions.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk