AC Milan have dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri after the club failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with the season described internally as an “unequivocal failure”.
Milan’s hopes of returning to Europe’s top competition collapsed on the final day of the Serie A campaign following a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari, a result that saw the Rossoneri drop from third to fifth in the standings.
The disappointing finish means Inter Milan, Napoli, AS Roma and Como will represent Italy in next season’s Champions League, while Milan and Juventus must settle for Europa League football.
In a strongly worded statement, American investment group RedBird Capital, who took ownership of Milan in 2022, admitted the club’s performances during the closing weeks of the campaign had fallen far below expectations.
“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 statement read.
“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.
“It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations.”
The club’s restructuring has extended beyond the coaching staff, with chief executive Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada also departing.
Allegri’s second spell at Milan lasted only one season after he returned to the San Siro in May 2025 to replace Sergio Conceicao.
The 58-year-old previously coached Milan between 2010 and 2014, guiding the club to the Serie A title during the 2010-11 season before also lifting the Italian Super Cup the following year.
However, his latest stint ended in disappointment as Milan lost seven of their final 14 league matches during a dramatic collapse in form.
While Milan struggled in the closing stages of the campaign, rivals Inter secured their second Serie A title in three seasons, further increasing frustration among Rossoneri supporters.
The decision to sack Allegri signals the beginning of a major rebuilding process at Milan as the club attempts to recover from missing out on Champions League football for the second consecutive season.
