AC Milan sack Allegri after missing Champions League spot

AC Milan has dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri following a dramatic season finale that saw the club fail to secure a UEFA Champions League spot for the second year running. The club's decision came after a 2-1 loss to Cagliari Calcio on the final day of Serie A, which relegated them from third to fifth place in the standings.

In a strongly worded statement, owners RedBird Capital Partners declared the season a failure, despite periods of promising performance. "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 stated. They characterized the season as an "unequivocal failure" and confirmed a significant restructuring of football operations.

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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 upheaval extends beyond the coaching staff. Chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada have also departed their roles as part of the shake-up. Allegri's dismissal marks the end of his second tenure with the Rossoneri, having returned last year. He previously managed Milan from 2010 to 2014, leading them to a Serie A title in the 2010-11 season and an Italian Super Cup the following year. The club's late-season collapse, marked by seven defeats in their final 14 league matches, proved decisive in their race for Champions League qualification.

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It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations.