Allegri returns to AC Milan coach after 11 years away

AC Milan has appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new manager, signing a two-year contract with an option for a third.

This marks the return of the former Juventus boss to San Siro after 11 years.

Meanwhile, the club is yet to make a formal announcement as they are yet to officially sack Sergio Conceicao. It’s believed they are sorting out the compensation package for the former Porto boss.

According to multiple sources, Allegri has put pen to paper, and the salary is worth €5m per season, plus more in performance-related bonuses.

Sky Sport Italia reported that he signed a two-year contract with an option for a third.

Allegri was on the verge of joining   Napoli as Antonio Conte was reportedly leaving the new Serie A champions. However, those plans seemed to have changed when Conte decided to remain at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after a meeting with the management.

Before putting pen to paper, Allegri met with Milan’s new director of sport, Igli Tare, and CEO Giorgio Furlani in a hotel in central Milan on Thursday. He then signed at the offices of his agent, Giovanni Branchini.

Milan President Paolo Scaroni also joined them at the venue to welcome the new coach.

Allegri had a stint with the Rossoneri from 2010 to 2014. He was fired in January 2014 after 178 games, in which he won one Serie A title and one Supercoppa Italiana.

Allegri also had two stints at Juventus from 2014 to 2019, then again from 2021 to May 2024. He was also sacked a few hours after winning the Coppa Italia over his touchline behavior in a clash with director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli.

Several reports in Italy said Milan is expected to make a formal announcement before the weekend.

It is now left for Milan to tell 50-year-old Conceicao, who was appointed on December 30 after his predecessor Paulo Fonseca was sacked, less than six months into the season, that he is relieved of his job.

Conceicao, within the short period, won the Supercoppa Italiana, reached the Coppa Italia Final, and recorded  16 wins, five draws, and 10 defeats.