BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
AC Milan have dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri following a dramatic collapse that saw the club miss out on next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The Rossoneri dropped from third to fifth place in Serie A after suffering a damaging 2-1 defeat to Cagliari Calcio on the final day of the season, extending their absence from Europe’s elite competition to a second consecutive year.
Club owners RedBird Capital labelled the campaign an “unequivocal failure” despite Milan spending much of the season among the top two and remaining in the Scudetto race deep into the campaign.
The club announced a sweeping restructuring of its football department, with chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada all leaving their roles alongside Allegri.
Allegri, 58, had only returned to San Siro last summer for a second spell in charge after replacing Sergio Conceicao. His first stint brought major success, including the 2010-11 Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup.
However, Milan’s season unravelled badly in the closing months, with seven defeats in their final 13 matches allowing rivals Inter Milan to secure another league crown.
Next season, Inter Milan, SSC Napoli, AS Roma and surprise package Como 1907 will represent Italy in the Champions League, while Milan and Juventus FC head to the Europa League.
