Radrizzani could be about to make his biggest statement of intent since joining Leeds – Our View

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According to a report from The Times, Leeds United are looking at Massimiliano Allegri as a potential successor to Marcelo Bielsa.

Now, Leeds fans probably can’t imagine how anyone could ever be an upgrade on Bielsa. The Argentine has reached deity-like status in West Yorkshire, and whoever comes in will have big shoes to fill.

However, if any available manager is capable of filling those shoes, it’s Allegri.

There are few gaffers in world football who can boast a CV as impressive as Allegri’s. He’s a six-time Serie A winning boss, a two-time Champions League runner-up and he’s previously been voted as the third-best manager in the world.

If appointing Bielsa back in 2018 was a statement of intent that Leeds wanted to get out of the Championship, appointing Allegri would be sending an even bigger message.

Now, this isn’t a knock on Bielsa at all. He’s a great manager in his own right, and he deserves every bit of credit he’s ever gotten, but Allegri is just another level in terms of achievements and stature.

Before joining Leeds, the biggest club Bielsa had ever managed was probably Marseille, while Allegri has taken charge of teams such as AC Milan and Juventus, while he’s also been targeted by the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea.

Radrizzani has said he wants Leeds to be in Europe within five years, and getting Allegri through the door could be Leeds’ ticket to the big-time.

The Italian has been one of the most sought after bosses in the world since he left Juventus, and if he ended up at Elland Road, it would go a long way towards putting Leeds United back on the map as a real European force.

Finding an upgrade on Bielsa will be tough, but if Radrizzani appoints Allegri he will be making a massive statement.