News Focus
- Max Allegri will leave AC Milan today following the team’s failure to reach the Champions League.
- Several Italian media outlets confirm owner Gerry Cardinale has made the final decision.
- The sacking comes only 12 months after Allegri returned to the San Siro for his second spell.
- AC Milan’s form collapsed after they beat Inter Milan in the derby on March 8.
- The club now wants a more attacking coach similar to Como manager Cesc Fabregas.
AC Milan are set to dismiss manager Max Allegri on Monday. The Italian coach will lose his job after the team failed to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia and Sport Mediaset report that owner Gerry Cardinale has already made the choice. Officials will inform Allegri of the decision later today before making a public statement.
Allegri returned to the San Siro only last summer. This was his second time in charge of the Rossoneri, having previously managed the club between 2010 and January 2014.
The team looked strong for many months and fought for the Serie A title. However, their performance dropped badly after the derby victory against Inter Milan on March 8.
Following that win, AC Milan collected only three more victories in the league. They also drew 0-0 with Juventus and lost six matches. The poor run meant they missed out on the top four.
During this season, Allegri took charge of 42 matches across all competitions. His record shows 22 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats.
The manager’s exit forms part of a major rebuild at the club. Reports suggest only Cardinale and special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic will keep their positions.
President Paolo Scaroni may stay, but he will focus mainly on the new stadium project. Meanwhile, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and head scout Geoffrey Moncada are also expected to depart.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Cardinale and Ibrahimovic want a different style of manager. They seek someone who plays attacking football, similar to Como coach Cesc Fabregas.
Allegri has already been connected with the Napoli job. These links started even before AC Milan’s season collapsed.