Carlo Ancelotti Reportedly Eyed as Arsenal Back-Up Plan to Massimiliano Allegri

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly Arsenal's second choice if the club can't convince Massimiliano Allegri to leave Juventus and succeed Arsene Wenger as manager this summer.

The Daily Star's David Woods reported on Tuesday the plan would be for Ancelotti, 58, to take the reins and begin grooming his successor, with former Arsenal midfielders Mikel Arteta or Patrick Vieira in the frame to work alongside the Italian.

While Woods called Allegri "the Gunners' top pick," he also noted how the 50-year-old Juve chief would want "£11 [million] a year after tax" to take over.

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The fee could be a problem, since James Olley of the London Evening Standard noted how "Arsenal are looking to pay less than the £8 million a season Wenger receives."

Woods also said Allegri would expect details on how he would work alongside Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and head of football relations Raul Sanllehi.

Concerns about the decision-making structure in north London are something Allegri shares with another candidate, ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, per Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News:

Any doubts about Allegri could strengthen the case for Ancelotti, who has been out of management since Bayern Munich let him go in October. Ancelotti led Die Roten to the Bundesliga title in 2016-17, but reported clashes with some players led to a parting of ways.

Germany is one of four countries in which Ancelotti has won a league title. He earned domestic honours with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, the Serie A crown with AC Milan and guided Chelsea to the club's only Premier League and FA Cup double in 2009-10.

In addition, he won two UEFA Champions League trophies with Milan before guiding Real Madrid to La Decima—the club's 10th European Cup win—in 2013-14.

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Arsenal will struggle to find a manager with Ancelotti's trophy haul and track record at the highest level. The Guardian's Daniel Taylor believes appointing him should be a no-brainer:

"Have they been made aware that he is eager, to say the least, to return to the industry in which his collection of trophies and individual awards could fill an aircraft hangar?

"The questions feel relevant because it seems strange to me that Ancelotti – at 58, 10 years younger than Wenger – is not attracting more attention. Have Arsenal checked his CV recently? And, if so, are they really in any position to pass up someone of the Italian's class and achievement?"

Ancelotti even appears keen on the job, with Woods reporting in February how he would fancy taking over from Wenger.

Shortly after Wenger announced his decision to step down after 22 years in charge in April, the Italian also revealed he would be flattered if the Gunners showed interest, per BBC Sport:

Since then, Ancelotti has turned down the chance to manage the Italian national team, per MailOnline's Danny Gallagher. However, a return to Serie A remains a possibility, with Calciomercato reporting "contacts took place between the manager and Juventus" recently.

Arsenal should do all they can to convince Ancelotti, who has house in London, to take another job in the English capital. He would offer the name recognition and credibility the club needs to ensure a quick transition in the post-Wenger era.

Ancelotti would also be a stellar mentor for Arteta, provided the Gunners can lure the man who played for Wenger for five seasons from his role on the coaching staff at Manchester City.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is known to be a huge admirer of 36-year-old Arteta, so he could view a combination with Ancelotti as a dream managerial double act.