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AC Milan on Monday sacked coach Massimiliano Allegri and chief executive Giorgio Furlani after what they considered “an unequivocal failure” of a season.
The team’s American owner, RedBird, cleaned up a day after Milan missed out on a Champions League spot by a point after blowing a 1-0 lead to lose at home to also-ran Cagliari 2-1. The Rossoneri were booed off the pitch by their own fans.
Milan spent much of Serie A in the top two places and were challenging for the title, but a run of just two wins in their last eight games saw them drop to fifth place on Sunday, the final day of the season.
“The last stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up until the point where tonight’s disappointing loss in the last game made the season an unequivocal failure,” RedBird said in a statement.
“It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations. With immediate effect, we are parting ways with CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, head coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada. We thank each of them for their hard work and dedication to AC Milan during their respective tenures.”
RedBird retained only special adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Allegri’s conservative tactics ultimately stifled the team’s creative spark down the stretch.
Key forwards, including USA men’s star Christian Pulisic – who finished the Serie A campaign with 8 goals and 4 assists – found themselves starved of service during a slump in which Milan have won just two of their last eight games.
Allegri returned to Milan last year with the task of taking the Rossoneri back into the Champions League after the team finished eighth in Serie A the previous season. Allegri oversaw 42 matches, resulting in 22 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats.
RedBirds managing partner Gerry Cardinale is now expected to work closely with Ibrahimovic to restructure the club, including the selection of a coach, managing director and sporting director.
“Further announcements regarding the next appointments will be made in due course – with the aim of being ready and well prepared for next season,” the statement concluded.
