AC Milan sack Allegri after missing Champions League spot
May 25, 2026 7:23 pm
AC Milan’s Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during the Italian Serie A football match between Hellas Verona and AC Milan at the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in Verona, on April 19, 2026. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI / AFP)
AC Milan have sacked head coach Massimiliano Allegri after a dramatic end to their season saw the club miss out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive year.
The decision came after a 2–1 defeat to Cagliari Calcio on the final day of the Serie A season, which confirmed a drop from third to fifth place and triggered a sweeping internal review.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, the owners RedBird Capital Partners described the campaign as a failure despite long spells of promise.
“For the majority of this season, we were in the top two positions in Serie A, with a credible shot at competing for the Scudetto. The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point,” the group said.
They added that the season had ultimately become “an unequivocal failure” and confirmed a broad restructuring at the club.
“It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations,” the statement continued.
The upheaval extends beyond the dugout. Chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada have also left their roles as part of the shake-up.
Allegri’s dismissal ends his second spell in charge of the Rossoneri, having returned only last year. He previously led Milan between 2010 and 2014, winning the Serie A title in the 2010–11 season and the Italian Super Cup the following year.
The club’s late collapse proved decisive, with seven defeats in their final 14 league matches allowing rivals to pull clear in the race for Champions League qualification.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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