Juve boss looks unlikely to take over at Arsenal

JUVENTUS are optimistic about keeping coach Massimiliano Allegri as rumours cool of him replacing Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

The 50-year-old led Juve to a fourth successive Serie A and Coppa Italia double this season and has been heavily linked with taking over from Wenger, who stepped down after 22 years.

After delivering a seventh straight title for Juventus, Allegri said: “If they don’t fire me, then I think I’m staying .”

The club also seem keen to keep the former AC Milan boss, with Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta insisting: “On our side there is great optimism. Beyond just the formal aspects, the relationship between us has worked as well as possible and I think, on both sides, there is certainly a willingness to continue together.

“The manager demonstrated he is great and I think our relationship can go on.”

With Allegri seemingly dropping out of the race to replace Wenger, who oversaw victory at Huddersfield in his 1,235th and last game at the helm on Sunday, ex-Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has become favourite with several bookmakers.

The 36-year-old has had two seasons under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City having played for the Gunners for five years before hanging up his boots in 2016.

Guardiola said on Sunday he would like to keep working with Arteta but would not stand in his way.

Someone in a similar position to Arteta is Rui Faria, Jose Mourinho’s long-term assistant who will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

Like Arteta, Faria has no previous managerial experience but Mourinho has said he believes he is ready to make the step up.