AC Milan have sacked manager Massimiliano Allegri after a late-season collapse which the club’s ownership has branded an ‘unequivocal failure’.
Milan finished fifth and missed out on Champions League qualification, bringing a disappointing end to what had, for long spells, looked like a promising campaign.
Allegri signed off with a 2-1 home defeat by Cagliari on Sunday, meaning his side won just one of their final four matches as their form unravelled at the worst possible time.
‘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,’ the club said in a statement.
The Italian had only returned to San Siro this season for a second spell, having previously managed the club between 2010 and January 2014. Milan had mounted a sustained Serie A title challenge for much of the season but a sharp downturn in results ultimately cost him his job.
Allegri signed off with a 2-1 home defeat by Cagliari on Sunday, meaning his side won just one of their final four matches as their form unravelled at the worst possible time
Iraola ended the season in style on Sunday, guiding Bournemouth into the Europa League – the first time in the club’s 127-year history they have qualified for European competition
‘Further announcements regarding the next appointments will be made in due course – with the goal to be ready and well prepared for next season,’ the statement added.
Reports have already linked the vacancy with outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who confirmed in April that he would be leaving the Premier League club.
Iraola ended the season in style on Sunday, guiding Bournemouth into the Europa League – the first time in the club’s 127-year history they have qualified for European competition.
The Cherries finished sixth in the Premier League, extending an impressive unbeaten run to 18 games, and will now head into next season’s campaign under new manager Marco Rose.
The Spaniard had also been linked with the Manchester United job until recently, before the club opted to stick with Michael Carrick following his strong second half in charge.
Iraola’s achievements are all the more impressive given he had to rebuild after losing several key players last summer, including Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Ilya Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain, having guided Bournemouth to ninth place in 2024-25.
After replacing Gary O’Neil in June 2023 following his arrival from Rayo Vallecano, Iraola quickly won over supporters with an expansive and progressive style of football – and has now emerged as a strong contender to take over at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
