Coaching Juventus? Why not, says AC Milan boss Montella

Vincenzo Montella is open to the possibility of one day managing Juventus and would also like to take charge of a team in London.

The AC Milan boss will send his side into battle against Juve in Turin on Friday in a crucial Serie A clash.

And ahead of the game he was surprisingly open in acknowledging he would not rule out following in the footsteps of opposite number Massimiliano Allegri, who won the Scudetto with Milan during a three-and-a-half-year tenure from June 2010 to January 2014.

Montella also suggested he would be keen to manage abroad, with England's capital a city he would like to work in.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "A professional doesn't rule out anything at the start of their career, so why not? 

"When I was 17 there was talk of interest from Juventus, I was young and promising. Then I got injured and the interest was never firmed up.

"Maybe coaching Lazio would be more complicated given that in Rome I have a house in the other part of the city!"

Asked about managing abroad, Montella added: "I would have no difficulty doing that, I think it enriches you. Certain leagues and certain cities I like more than others – London for example.

"The best coach I had was Luciano Spalletti, he could have played me more, but he did open my mind."

However, Montella stressed his immediate focus was on his job with Milan, who he would ideally like to remain with if the circumstances are right.

He added: "Will I stay at Milan for a long time? I would like to. 

"The important thing is to have the opportunity to grow together, I want to help the team improve and win again. Everything depends on sharing objectives and being able to renew.

"It is not a question of staying for a year, three… 10 or even of opening or closing a cycle. 

"That is all theory, if you have a common purpose you can start from the same place. I had a contract with Fiorentina, my family and I were happy, but I felt it was time to stop."

Milan are seventh in the table, but sit only three points adrift of Lazio in fourth and seven behind Napoli in third with 11 matches to play.