Barcelona: The 5 dream managers for next season
Massimiliano Allegri: The Italian tactical mastermind
Massimiliano Allegri will move out of Italy in his next job. As a player and manager, the wily ex-Juventus head coach has spent his entire career in the Mediterranean peninsula, but his talents have global appeal and huge potential.
Allegri’s slowly nurtured reputation earned him an appointment at AC Milan in 2010, after a spell in charge of Cagliari. At Milan, he propelled himself into the big leagues of European football by winning the domestic double in his first season.
With the big players leaving and club legends retiring, Milan slipped into a depression under Allegri. He was eventually sacked in 2014, after 3 trophyless seasons. But then, Juventus came calling and Allegri was set for a stint of a lifetime.
Allegri won the domestic double in his very first season, coming achingly close to a treble after being beaten in the Champions League final by Barça. He followed it up with three more domestic doubles, and another Champions League final appearance.
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But he left at the end of last season, with the Old Lady failing to win the Coppa Italia. Nevertheless, Massimiliano Allegri left an indelible mark on Juventus, as the Bianconeri enjoyed the most successful period in their history, albeit without European success.
Allegri had to live up to high expectations upon his arrival in Turin. Antonio Conte had been very successful, and built a formidable squad. But he didn’t persist with his predecessor’s tactics, setting up his own methods in the tactical setup.
Allegri’s teams were often possession-based, and relied on slow, but steady build-up play to find the back of the net. As with any Italian side, Juventus were extremely tight at the back. But the 5-man defence was often done away with.
Most frequently, Juventus played with a different, more attacking touch in Europe. Thus, Allegri segregated the tactical needs of the league and the Champions League. That is the reason for their continued success on both fronts.
Juventus did not play very entertaining or attacking football under Allegri, but what they did, they did efficiently. Players were not confined to their roles, and both creative players had a free hand in every single match. There was overall structure, but individual fluidity.
Also, Allegri made some very good signings as Juventus manager. Europe’s elite are known for failed big-money transfers. But that is not the case for the Old Lady, whose big signings have all eventually worked out, one way or another.
Moreover, the best signings made under Allegri’s watch were not high-profile. The moves for Wojciech Szczęsny, Sami Khedira and Rodrigo Bentancur have been the best. And they cost a total of under €30 million.
All of these attributes make Allegri a very good fit for Barcelona. He has the ability to adapt, and stamp his authority on a club. With the adaptability and the tactical prowess, Massimiliano Allegri has the ability to take Barça to greater heights.