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AC Milan on Monday fired coach Massimiliano Allegri and general director Giorgio Furlani after what it called “an unequivocal failure” of a season.
The team’s American owner, RedBird, cleaned house a day after Milan missed out on a Champions League spot by one point after blowing a 1-0 lead and losing at home to fellow leaders Cagliari 2-1. The Rossoneri were booed off the field by their own fans.
Milan spent much of Serie A in the top two positions and fighting for the title, but a run of just two wins in its last eight games left it fifth on Sunday, the final day of the season.
“The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night’s disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure,” RedBird said in a statement.
“The time has come for a change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations. Effective immediately, we are parting ways with CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada. We thank each for their hard work and dedication to AC Milan during their respective tenures.”
RedBird was left with only special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Allegri’s conservative tactics ultimately stifled the team’s creative spark down the stretch.
Key attackers, including US men’s national team star Christian Pulisic, who finished the Serie A campaign with 8 goals and 4 assists, were starved of service during a collapse in which Milan won just two of its last eight games.
Allegri returned to Milan last year with the task of leading the Rossoneri back to the Champions League after the team finished eighth in Serie A the previous season. Allegri coached 42 matches that resulted in 22 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses.
RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale is now expected to work closely with Ibrahimovic to restructure the club, including choosing a coach, chief executive and sporting director.
“Further announcements regarding upcoming appointments will be made in due course, with the aim of being ready and well prepared for the upcoming season,” the statement concludes.
