Massimiliano Allegri has warned Arsenal they will have to wait if they him to succeed Unai Emery as next permanent manager.
The former Juventus boss is 6/1 to take the reins at Emirates Stadium, with Freddie Ljungberg still the favourite to land the job full-time despite a disappointing start to his spell as interim boss.
The Gunners are open to appointing Ljungberg if he can spark a reversal in fortunes, but one point from games against Norwich and Brighton have already left him in a real scrap to prove he is the right choice.
Arsenal have reportedly started interviewing prospective managers, and Allegri is high up on a list of possible candidates, alongside former players Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira.
But the Italian has made clear he will not be rushed into a return to management after ending his five-year spell with Juve earlier this year.
Asked when he will return, he said: "In June. I don’t know if you can call it a sabbatical or not.
"Giovanni [Branchini – Allegri’s agent] and I immediately came to that decision. As soon as the relationship with Juventus came to an end the decision was to take a year out."
"I had 18 years as a player and I’ve been in coaching for 16. I stopped this year after 34. I’m happy.
"I have a chance to reflect, go and talk to people, do things in my private life that I’m passionate about like going to the theatre, some art exhibitions, reading books."
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Communication became a big problem for Emery during his 18-month spell at Arsenal as players often struggled to understand the messages he was trying to convey.
It would likely prove a hurdle, too, for Allegri, who does not have a convincing grasp of the English language. But the 52-year-old has confirmed he is attempting to address that during 12 months out from the game.
He added: "I am taking lessons here in Milan. I manage to speak quite well. I find the listening part a bit more difficult.
"If I'm talking to someone who helps me out by speaking a little slower then I understand. I watch films [in English] and if I read something in English I understand it fine."
