Max Allegri admitted the club “decided it was best that I wouldn’t be Coach of Juventus next season,” but denied requesting a long contract or revolution of the team.
The tactician was told on Friday that he would not be on the Bianconeri bench next season, despite being under contract until June 2020.
“I thank the President for his wonderful words. I thank the lads for all they’ve done, all they’ve given me, including all the players over the five years,” said Allegri, choking back tears as he looked at the entire squad sitting in the front two rows of the Press conference.
“I leave a winning team that has the potential to repeat its success in Italy and have another great Champions League campaign. Unfortunately, some situations meant we couldn’t go all the way.”
Both Allegri and President Andrea Agnelli had stated after the Champions League quarter-final exit to Ajax that they would continue together, but the club went in a different direction.
It’s reported the key was vice-president Pavel Nedved and Fabio Paratici pushing for a new direction.
“We talked, expressed our ideas on what was best for Juventus and the future of Juventus. After that, the club evaluated it and decided it was best that I wouldn’t be the Coach of Juventus next season.
“The rapport with President Agnelli, Nedved and Paratici remains excellent. We’ve all grown together, including with Beppe Marotta, and the right moment has come to leave on the best terms.
“I leave behind a solid group with extraordinary players, both technically and as men, because you need good men to win as well as good footballers.
“Fabio and Nedved are younger than me. I met them when they were lads, but they are becoming important directors now.
“Some things were written that were not correct, suggesting I asked for a long contract, for a squad revolution and different players, but we never got to that.
“We simply realised it was best not to continue together. People again wrote about four or five meetings, but there was one dinner and one meeting in the club headquarters with the President, Fabio and Nedved. At that, we realised there were not the right conditions to continue together. The President, as a decisive man, made the decision.
“It was far simpler than you seem to think. We had five extraordinary years together and must be proud of that. You journalists do your jobs and write all sorts of things, but I am happy, I am emotional…
“But enough, because tomorrow we have to celebrate! All the rest is chatter. Juventus will start next season with a super club and an extraordinary squad.
“Tomorrow, we must celebrate. First, for the Scudetto and secondly the retirement of Andrea Barzagli. The Professor of defenders is leaving, taking nothing away from the others, so tomorrow must be a wonderful evening where we all celebrate, as these have been five extraordinary years.”