To change everything, Milan has gone back 4,154 days — to Max Allegri’s last Monday as Rossoneri coach.
After all, if the club wants to return to greatness, in Italy and in Europe, it inevitably needs to look back, take inspiration from its history to shape its future. Allegri will be the coach of this new era also because of his glorious past. Max is a winner, and the club wants to be one again: that’s why they’ve entrusted him with the job for at least the next two years, with an option to extend the deal for two more seasons (in numbers: two +1 +1, the last extension triggered in case of a league title). It’s a clear signal that the management wants to plan long-term.
A future, they hope, full of satisfaction. Allegri will earn five and a half million euros with increasing bonuses: one — which the club would be more than happy to pay — is tied to winning the Scudetto. Clear enough, right? No bonus for Champions League qualification — that’s considered the bare minimum.
Milan's new era begins...
On June 24, 2011, Max kept his promise and walked up to the sanctuary of Montenero to thank the Madonna for Milan’s 18th Scudetto. He said: “It would be an honor for me to become the coach who brings the second star.” A step forward was taken under Stefano Pioli, who brought the tally to 19. Now Max just has to run toward the finish line. The new chapter with Milan effectively began yesterday with the contract signing and will officially begin today with the announcement.
Since January 13, 2014 — the day after the loss to Sassuolo that led to Allegri’s dismissal — 4,154 days have passed. A lot has happened since then: the Rossoneri bench has been occupied by Seedorf, Inzaghi, Mihajlovic, Brocchi, Montella, Gattuso, Giampaolo, Pioli, Fonseca, and finally Conceição.
The latter was officially farewelled last night: "AC Milan and Sérgio Conceição will not continue their journey together next season. The Club would like to thank Sérgio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication shown during their time leading the First Team over the past few months. The AC Milan family parts with the coach who won the 50th trophy in the Club's history, wishing him the best for the future."
An ending written days ago, made possible by a clause added to the Portuguese coach’s contract last December: the agreement was until 2026 but allowed for a mutual termination with twelve months’ notice.
In the space of a week, both Tare and Allegri have arrived — a double move that certifies the club’s desire to quickly fix the mistakes of the 2024–25 season.
The decisive meeting
Yesterday afternoon, the connection was reestablished during a meeting in Milan, on Corso Magenta, at the legal office of Giovanni Branchini, Max’s agent: that’s where the contracts were signed.
Present were CEO Furlani — who had promised announcements within the week and delivered — and the new sporting director Tare, another key figure in the coach’s appointment. A top-tier coach, an experienced winner: this was the profile drawn from the beginning, and Allegri fits it perfectly. President Paolo Scaroni also stopped by briefly.
In the end, everyone left without speaking — including Max, who had some papers in hand, presumably Rossoneri-headed documents bearing his signature.
While the coaching staff is still being finalized, some names expected to follow Allegri include assistant coach Landucci, collaborators Dolcetti and Trombetta, fitness coach Foletti, physiotherapist Stefano Grani, and scouts Bosco and Doveri.
Max hopes the players will follow him, starting today, phone calls will begin, and especially Rafa Leão, who could prove decisive in the new Milan. As his first “move,” Rafa responded to a video posted by Italian Football TV, in which Antonio Cassano (never one to shy away from debate) said that Allegri’s Scudetto win was basically thanks to him, with a series of laughing emojis.
Leão tried to deny it. If there’s one talent who wants to be decisive in Max’s next Scudetto, it’s him.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
