Juventus Deny Contacting Guardiola

By Max Wise

Italian champions Juventus have vehemently denied reports making rounds among various media tabloids that they have agreed a three-year deal with Pep Guardiola to take over as manager.

Juventus have parted company with Massimiliano Allegri, and are looking for a replacement with Guardiola reportedly identified as their prime target.

Guardiola himself has previously maintained that he has no intention of departing the Etihad Stadium after leading Manchester City to an unprecedented domestic treble this season.

Juventus’ sporting director Fabio Paratici has echoed Guardiola’s pronouncements, denying any contact with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

"I think we live in a strange world," he told DAZN.

"We didn't have any contact. We never even thought about it because [Guardiola] is under contract. For a thousand reasons, it all seems very strange to me."

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has also had his name bundled around as a possible candidate to take over the Bianconeri, while Tottenham Hotspurs manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is also reportedly being targeted but Paratici insists Juventus will not rush in naming Allegri’s successor.

"We have clear ideas," he said. "We have already said it; we are doing our evaluations and there are still many competitions in progress. Until all the competitions end, it seems to me right, out of respect for everyone to remain in this situation."