AC Milan fires coach, CEO, and directors after failing Champions League

AC Milan has fired its coach, CEO, and two directors after failing to qualify for the Champions League. This is a big change for the club's future.
By Newsroom | Football, Italy |

AC Milan has initiated a sweeping dismissal of key leadership figures, including head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada. The club's ownership, RedBird Capital Partners, cited the team's failure to secure Champions League qualification as the direct cause for this radical shake-up, labeling the season an "unequivocal failure." This mass exodus follows a dramatic late-season collapse, where Milan dropped from Scudetto contention to finish fifth in Serie A, relegating them to the Europa League. The collective cost of these departures is reportedly €22 million, unless Allegri secures a new coaching position swiftly.

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The club's official statement underscored a mandate from ownership to return to the Champions League and build a foundation for sustained top-tier performance in Serie A. Despite a strong start and periods challenging for the league title, Milan's form faltered significantly in the latter half of the season. This marks a regression for the Rossoneri, who had previously enjoyed a four-year run of Champions League qualification.

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Leadership Void and Lingering Questions

The simultaneous departure of Allegri, Furlani, Tare, and Moncada leaves a considerable void at the top of the club's hierarchy. Their tenures, with Allegri and Tare having arrived just last summer, have been abruptly cut short within a year. The club has stated that further announcements regarding new appointments will be made in due course, with the immediate focus on preparing for the upcoming season.

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Notably, Zlatan Ibrahimović, serving as a special advisor to the owner, appears to be unaffected by the purge and is reportedly being positioned for a more prominent role in shaping the club's future direction. The club's statement thanked each departed individual for their efforts.

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The Collapse

AC Milan's season is characterized by a stark dichotomy: a strong opening that placed them among the league leaders, often vying for the Scudetto, contrasted sharply with a dismal finish. In the final stretch, the team managed only 10 points from as many matches, a performance deemed completely inconsistent with their earlier efforts. This downturn culminated in a crucial 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari on the final day of the season, which proved decisive in their failed bid for Champions League qualification.

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This loss saw Milan finish a single point behind Como, who secured the fourth and final Champions League spot. Consequently, AC Milan will compete in the Europa League next season. The club's final tally of 70 points is the most they have achieved in a Serie A season while finishing outside the top four, a statistic that, paradoxically, was insufficient to save Allegri's position.

Context of the Departures

The dismissals occurred just days after the end of the Serie A season. Allegri, 58, had returned to AC Milan last May, aiming to guide the club back to the Champions League after their eighth-place finish the previous season. The club, an 19-time Serie A champion, now faces a period of significant restructuring. Reports suggest Geoffrey Moncada's profile is also of interest to OGC Nice. Speculation about potential successors for Allegri has already surfaced, with names such as Antonio Conte and Raffaele Palladino being mentioned in specialized press.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did AC Milan fire their coach, CEO, and directors on May 27, 2026?
AC Milan fired head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada because the team did not qualify for the Champions League. The club called the season an 'unequivocal failure'.
Q: What happens to AC Milan next season after these firings?
Because AC Milan finished fifth in Serie A, they will play in the Europa League next season instead of the Champions League. The club's ownership wants to build a team that can consistently perform at the top level.
Q: How much did the departures of the AC Milan leaders cost?
The cost of these departures is reported to be around €22 million. This amount could be less if coach Massimiliano Allegri finds a new coaching job quickly.
Q: Who is Zlatan Ibrahimović in relation to AC Milan's leadership changes?
Zlatan Ibrahimović, who is a special advisor to the owner, was not affected by the firings. He is expected to take on a more important role in guiding the club's future direction.
Q: What caused AC Milan to miss Champions League qualification?
AC Milan had a strong start to the season but had a very poor finish, earning only 10 points from their last 10 matches. A 2-1 loss to Cagliari on the final day of the season confirmed they would finish fifth, one point behind the final Champions League spot.