Duncan Castles delivers Max Allegri stance amid reported Leeds United approach

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Duncan Castles has told the Transfer Window podcast that Massimiliano Allegri has been approached by Leeds United as a potential replacement for Marcelo Bielsa – but that the Italian is not convinced with a move to Elland Road.

Bielsa, 65, remains out of contract at the end of the season and while he stated last week that he sees himself remaining at Leeds for the rest of his managerial career – he is yet to extend his current contract. Leeds have been drawing up replacements.

The Times claimed this week that Allegri – who won five Serie A titles with Juventus and got them to two Champions League finals – has been approached by Leeds over his stance regarding a move to Elland Road in the near future.

But Castles has claimed that Allegri is not interested in the Leeds job, and certainly not excited at the prospect of managing Leeds – despite being out of work for a year. Castles also claims that Mauricio Pochettino and Julian Loptegui have been shortlisted.

“They want to go to the top of the market and get someone you probably wouldn’t associate with a mid-table Premier League club,” Castles said. “The information I have is that they have made an approach to Max Allegri, out of work for over a year now.

“That gives you a sense of where Radrizzani can get the club. It doesn’t look like Allegri will be convinced in this case. The information I have from people close to him is that an approach was made, but it didn’t particularly excite him.

“He has an offer from AS Roma at present to go back to Italian football, to which he said no thank you. He is waiting for one of the biggest jobs in world football – one in which he can win the Champions League. Real Madrid is one that he has earmarked.

“Mauricio Pochettino was shortlisted before he took the job at PSG which shows how long this process has been under development, and Julian Lopetegui at Sevilla. It tells you the ambition of the owner, and where he sees this club going.”

TBR’s view – Allegri would be a huge coup, but does he fit?

Leeds have an identity that Bielsa has instilled at Elland Road and while it looks more than likely that the Argentine legend will remain at Elland Road for another season – it would be poor ownership if the Leeds board did not consider replacements.

Allegri would be an enormous coup, and so would Pochettino or Lopetegui given the stature of the trio. But would Allegri’s defensive-minded, typically Italian style of play fit at Leeds? Probably not. Leeds fans will be hopeful Bielsa remains.