In a bit of a surprise, AC Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi has ended weeks of speculation surrounding the position of coach Massimiliano Allegri, by bringing him back for another season.
Allegri was expected to be fired after guiding Milan to a third place finish in Serie A last season. The Milan coach was so sure he would be let go, that he had agreed to take over as AS Roma’s new manager.
But after a three-hour dinner meeting with Berlusconi and Milan CEO Adriano Galliani on Sunday, the club announced that Allegri will see out the final year of his contract at the San Siro.
“We had a frank and cordial discussion during which we reviewed and analysed a lot of what happened last season, as well as clearing a few things up,” said Berlusconi. “We also talked about what kind of football we want to be playing next season and what kind of policy we should have for the transfer market. Our ongoing relationship with the coach continues with absolute confidence and mutual respect.”
Berlusconi had been upset with Allegri due to the poor start that Milan had to the season as Milan struggled to overcome the departures of experienced talent including Clarence Seedorf, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Filippo Inzaghi.
Problem with that thinking is that it was Berlusconi who sanctioned the moves, as he looked to slash the club’s payroll to better meet Uefa’s financial fair play rules. The teams slow start was more due to him than Allegri.
