Soccer

Juve appoint Allegri to succeed Conte

Club says Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal will not be leaving and is content in Turin

Juventus have appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach just 18 hours after Antonio Conte’s decision to step down as manager. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Juventus have appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach just 18 hours after Antonio Conte’s decision to step down as manager. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Wed Jul 16 2014 - 16:54

Former AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has been appointed as the new manager of Juventus following Tuesday's shock resignation of Antonio Conte.

“Allegri is the new manager of Juventus,” the Italian champions said on their official Twitter feed. Italian media report that Allegri has signed a two-year deal that will earn him €2 million a season plus bonuses.

Conte made the surprise announcement that he was leaving Juve on Tuesday after winning three straight Serie A titles during his three years in charge. The former midfielder could take the Italy manager's post left vacant by Cesare Prandelli, who stepped down as national team boss after a terrible World Cup campaign in which his side were eliminated following the group stage.

Allegri was sacked by Milan midway through last season after a dreadful start to the campaign that left them languishing in mid-table, and was replaced by Clarence Seedorf in January after more than a year of speculation surrounding his position.

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His arrival could cause friction with Andrea Pirlo after Allegri sold the gifted playmaker to Juve in 2011 while in charge of Milan, convinced that he could no longer play in his favoured position in front of the defence.

It had been speculated that Conte's departure came about because of the club's plan to sell players like Chilean midfielder and one-time Manchester United target Arturo Vidal, but Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta says the player is not for sale.

“Vidal is not for sale,” said Marotta. “He is one of the most important players in the squad. He is happy to be here. Many things have been written. We’ve never put him up for sale. Important clubs have asked after him, but we have never sat down to talk. The player decides and yesterday Vidal showed that he is happy to continue with us.”

As Vidal was a target of the former manager, David Moyes, he remained on the list retained by United for Louis van Gaal, his successor, to consider. However, the Dutchman recently informed the club executive that he was not currently interested in him.