AC Milan's head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, wants to make an immediate impact: respect within the group, mentality, and strong discipline
The ex Juventus boss can't wait to get started. He’s hungry for Milan and eager to get back in the game after a year spent watching others from his living room couch—this, from a man who’s already lifted 14 trophies in his career and has no intention of stopping. But Max knows that Milan needs to be turned inside out like a sock to become the team he envisions. Last season’s eighth-place finish didn’t happen by chance. As he likes to say, “There’s work to do and improvements to be made”—starting with the group’s mentality and the mindset of individuals.
That’s why he asked the club to speed things up: training camp begins on July 7, even while Inter and Juventus, two of Milan's most serious rivals, may still be involved in the final competition of 2024–25, the Club World Cup. This summer, more than ever, offers a rare chance to gain a small edge in preseason preparation over the other traditional powerhouses. And unlike Napoli, Atalanta, Roma, Fiorentina, and Bologna, Milan won’t play in European competitions—so, at least in theory, they should be much fresher for the domestic league.
Before even stepping on the pitch, Allegri will use the summer to make adjustments to group dynamics. He’s not a strict disciplinarian—Max enjoys laughing and joking with his players—but there are principles he won’t budge on when he’s in charge: clear rules, discipline, punctuality, and impeccable behavior. The coach from Livorno—backed by the credibility of his trophy-laden résumé—will have little tolerance for the kinds of scenes seen in Milan’s 2024–25 campaign: players separating during cooling breaks, impromptu penalty takers, arguments broadcast around the world.
After all, Allegri has built his managerial success primarily on strong group management: clear agreements and lasting harmony.
Once Milan is settled on that front, the real work on the training ground will begin. Max’s priority will be to bring solidity and balance to a team that, over the last three seasons, has never conceded fewer than 40 goals. Yet under Allegri—whether during his first stint with Milan or in his two spells with Juventus—his teams have never allowed more than 39 goals in a season. It’s not just about having a solid backline; it’s about the collective effort of all eleven players on the pitch.
But for the players to stay sharp and work as a unit, the right mentality is essential. Max is so confident in his approach that, when signing his new contract with Milan, he agreed to bonuses tied only to winning the Scudetto. No reward for qualifying for the Champions League—something the Rossoneri dramatically missed last season. Furthermore, his deal with Milan is a two-year agreement, with options for a third and fourth year. If they win the league title, those options are triggered automatically.
In short, Max is the first to believe. Now he just needs to convince his players.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
