Mancini & Benitez among candidates to replace Allegri at Milan

The club's hierarchy are not impressed by their side's poor start to the season, and have already drawn up a list of candidates to take the 45-year-old's job

EXCLUSIVE
By Elijah Raimondo

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and former Liverpool and Inter boss Rafael Benitez are among the candidates to replace under-fire AC Milan's Massimiliano Allegri, Goal.com understands.

The Rossoneri's poor start to the Serie A season could cost the current head coach his job, and owner Silvio Berlusconi has already created a shortlist of coaches to replace the 45-year-old.

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After a turbulent summer which saw big names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave San Siro, Milan have been in poor form, losing five of their first 10 Serie A matches, and speculation is rife that the former Cagliari boss will soon be sacked.

Top of the shortlist is Pep Guardiola, who resigned as Barcelona boss last summer, citing exhaustion, but is unlikely to make a move to the club due to their financial situation.

Next on Berlusconi's list is Zenit St Petersburg trainer Luciano Spalletti, due to his vast experience in Serie A, having coached Udinese and Roma for a number of years.

The rest of the contenders are Benitez, who was sacked by rivals Inter in December 2010 after just six months in charge, and Mancini, who has won three Scudetti.

Filippo Inzaghi could also be in contention to replace Allegri. The former Italy international ended his playing career last summer, but has been working with the club's youth ranks, and would be a popular choice amongst fans.