Would Hiring “Mad Max” Be A Good Idea For This New-Look Chelsea Side?

Would Hiring “Mad Max” Be A Good Idea For This New-Look Chelsea Side?

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has hired many managers during his tenure who could be described as winners.

The likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and none more so than Jose Mourinho have typified the approach of appointing people who have a record of winning silverware.

In that sense, a move for Massimiliano Allegri would be the club’s logical next appointment. During his time at Juventus, he won five consecutive Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia’s, two Italian Super Cups as well as reaching two Champions League finals.

It isn’t a record that can be argued with, and in the past, the Italian would have been the heavy favourite to take over from Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

However, reports suggest that the Chelsea board are hesitant about appointing another Italian manager off the back of Conte and Sarri, as they believe the players haven’t responded well to their coaching methods.

It is an understandable worry considering Allegri’s past track record. He has had run-ins with players who haven’t met his exacting standards. Leonardo Bonucci fell out with the Bianconeri boss leading to his ill-fated move to Milan in 2017.

On a tactical level, he has been nicknamed “Mad Max” for his penchant for employing highly unorthodox tactics (many of which have worked), including the decision to play a target man Mario Mandzukic out wide.

Many supporters complained, though, that his Juventus side never had an identity because of his predilection for changing systems constantly in order to gain an advantage over the opposition. His winning at all costs mentality essentially led to his downfall.

He was respected rather than loved by the Old Lady faithful despite his unprecedented trophy haul. That pragmatism is likely why he isn’t the frontrunner for the Chelsea job.

With a transfer ban a place, and a focus on youth development, Allegri hardly fits the profile of the type of manager who would help the club move forward. Although he did develop young players during his time at Juve, his drive for perfection may see him lose patience with players who would be better served with an arm around the shoulder.

Allegri would have been the perfect manager for Abramovich and the board a few years back when there were a number of experienced strong personalities in the dressing room who could handle him, but this group of players needs someone different.

That is why the likes of Frank Lampard and Steve Holland have been touted as strong candidates for the role, and why it’s likely that the Italian tactician will be overlooked as Sarri’s replacement.