Massimiliano Allegri insists 'he had no doubts' about deciding to go back to Juventus -despite having already agreed to take over at Real Madrid last summer.
The 54-year-old Italian was sacked by the Bianconeri in 2019 despite winning 11 trophies in five seasons, but they did not enjoy much success under either Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo.
Fast forward two years after his dismissal, chairman Andrea Agnelli opted to bring Allegri back to the club following his two-year break.
He returned to the Old Lady, despite already agreeing to take over at the LaLiga giants Real, before changing his mind.
It wasn't the first time Allegri has rejected a move to the Bernabeu, having turned down the Spanish giants in 2018 too.
But it hasn't quite gone to plan with Juve crashing out of the Champions League in the last-16 and currently sitting fourth in the Serie A - seven points adrift of leaders AC Milan.
'I had already signed with them (Real Madrid) last summer, but I called the president to tell him that I would not go because I had chosen Juventus,' Allegri told GQ.
'He thanked me. When they called me in May, I had no doubts.'
Despite the season not going to plan so far, Allegri has no regrets, and is proud to be at the helm at a prestigious club like Juventus.
'I have no regrets, it would have been a great professionally: Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid…but you can't have everything in life.
'I am proud to have coached Milan for four years and to be at Juventus now. I rejected Real Madrid twice.
'The first time I was in talks to extend with Juventus. I told Florentino (Perez) that I had already given my word to Agnelli.'
Allegri agreed a four-year deal last summer and is reported to be the highest-paid coach in the Serie A.
The former AC Milan revealed that his second stint in charge of the club could have come earlier, but it wasn't right for him personally - despite attracting interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real.
'It was the right time. I could have returned earlier, but I didn't do it because of personal reasons.
'My mother died in 2018, so I didn't want to go too far away. I remained close to my son Giorgio and my father, who was severely affected by the death of my mum. He still lives in Livorno.
'I decided to return to Juventus because I have a strong bond with the club and the owners, but also to stay closer to my son, who lives in Turin with his mother. I like to be close to my loved ones.'