Max Allegri has admitted he’s learning English but insists he doesn’t want to take a new coaching job until next year.

FLORENCE, ITALY - MAY 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of Juventus FC and Marcello Lippi during the FIGC Hall of Fame 2019 on May 20, 2019 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of Juventus FC and Marcello Lippi during the FIGC Hall of Fame 2019 on May 20, 2019, in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Max Allegri is one of many candidates linked with the permanent Arsenal head coach job.

The gossip has only grown stronger as people close to Allegri claim he wants to take a job abroad alongside rumours he’s learning English.

Arsenal’s continuing poor results, even after Unai Emery’s departure, are also increasing the pressure on the club to bring in a replacement. However, whilst Allegri does admit to the English lessons, he rejects the idea of taking over at a new club mid-season.

“In June [I’ll return to management]. I don’t know if you can call it a sabbatical or not,” Allegri said. “Giovanni [Branchini] and I immediately came to that decision. As soon as the relationship with Juventus came to an end, the decision was to take a year out.

“I am taking [English] lessons here in Milan. I manage to speak quite well, I find the listening part a bit more difficult. If I’m talking to someone who helps me out by speaking a little slower, then I understand.

“I watch films [in English] and if I read something in English I understand it fine.”

James Olley of the Standard claims Allegri is open to the idea of joining Arsenal, but he’d need some convincing of their ambition.

He’d also want them to prove their interest was genuine after they passed over him in 2018.

Either way, it doesn’t seem likely he’s going to be taking over anytime soon.

Arsenal sit 10th in the league right now, way behind the top four. The pressure is on the club to come up with short-term solutions in the meantime.