Mourinho Given As Reason Chelsea Won’t Hire Allegri As New Manager

Chelsea are now in a dogfight to finish in the top four and Massimiliano Allegri has been linked to take over as boss from Frank Lampard as a result.

But former midfielder Craig Burley, speaking to ESPN, believes the Italian won’t get the job because of his negative tactics.

Yet he thinks Brendan Rodgers could make a stunning return to Stamford Bridge, having previously worked at Chelsea as a coach.

“Allegri is known for pragmatism. There is nothing wrong with that, but Abramovich has always tried to get away from that. He had enough of it under [Jose] Mourinho,” Burley told ESPN FC.

“I’m not a Thomas Tuchel fan. He’s done a decent job at [Borussia] Dortmund and PSG but I’m not on the Thomas Tuchel train.

“I look at Brendan Rodgers as, at least, the third-best coach in the Premier League.

“Is there anybody better [except Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola]? No, not even close.”

Burley also expressed a belief that Rodgers’ past Chelsea connection could be key.

 “He’s [also] worked at Chelsea before with the younger kids,” he added.

“Would Rodgers have more understanding of what he wants [with the Chelsea squad] because of his experience [compared to Lampard]? Yes, he would.”