Juventus’ recent dismissal of head coach Massimiliano Allegri could potentially end in a court case according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday morning.

Allegri was officially sacked on Friday, in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final, where, despite Juventus lifting the trophy, the coach erupted on the touchline, before making a series of alleged personal threats to Tuttosport editor Guido Vaciago.

Do Juventus owe Allegri €7m?

La Gazzetta report that Juventus consider themselves negatively impacted by Friday’s sacking, and that they have been evaluating the possibility of dismissal for just cause.

If that is the case, then Juventus could get away with not having to pay the remaining €7m on Allegri’s contract, which had been due to expire in the summer of 2025.

According to Sunday’s report, the former Bianconeri coach is yet to decide which next steps to take. If just cause is found, he could still appeal. He will have five days from the time of his dismissal to respond to the disciplinary issues he was presented with by CEO Maurizio Scanavino on behalf of the club’s lawyers at the time.

If Juventus are found not to have had just cause, or if they do and Allegri successfully appeals, the coach will be entitled to the €7m he is owed from the remaining year on his contract in full, plus potential compensation for damages to reputation.

Juventus have officially confirmed the appointment of Paolo Montero as interim head coach, following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri on Friday in the aftermath of Wednesday’s fiery Coppa Italia final.

Allegri had his second Juventus tenure cut short after erupting on the touchline against Atalanta, before making a series of alleged threats to the editor of newspaper Tuttosport in the Stadio Olimpico tunnel.

His contract had been due to expire in the summer of 2025, although many believed that the Bianconeri were set to end the partnership one year ahead of schedule anyway.

It became evident later on Friday that Montero would be the man to guide Juventus in their final two games of the Serie A season, against high-flying Bologna on Monday and at home then against Monza in the final round of 2023-24 fixtures.

Montero is also the head coach of Juventus’ U19 squad. He also has 278 appearances for the Old Lady, including 186 in Serie A, having played as a defender in Turin between 1996 and 2005.

He has had to wait for his official announcement, as he had to sit out a one-game touchline ban during the U19’s league match against Frosinone on Saturday.

He is, of course, still eligible to lead the team for Monday’s match against Bologna, which could determine the ranking of the Serie A top four.

Juventus statement

“Paolo Montero will take the reins of the Men’s First Team for the final two games of the Serie A season, which come away at Bologna and then at home to Monza.

“Currently coach of our Under-19s team, who finished their season on Saturday, 18 May, Montero will take the step up to the First Team for what remains of the current campaign. He will take his first session with the squad on Sunday, before facing Bologna at 20:45 CEST on Monday evening at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

“He will then lead the Bianconeri for the season finale against Monza at the Allianz Stadium.

“Paolo is a Juventus legend, firstly on the pitch, and someone who has long been a bearer of the Club’s DNA on the bench.

“Best of luck, Paolo!”

Paolo Montero takes charge of the Men's First Team until the end of the season

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 19, 2024

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter, celebration and chaos

At San Siro against Lazio to celebrate the Scudetto

Zhang accuses the fund Oaktree: ‘They put the future of the club at risk’

But the owners could hand it over

Toro for the Cups

Milan flattened, now Europe is closer

Atalanta in the Champions League

Motta, the final clash against Juve

Allegri in court?

Tomorrow against Bologna

Il Corriere dello Sport

Zhang’s surrender

On Tuesday the deadline for the 375m loan: no extensions

‘Stability is at risk’

Oaktree have Inter in hand

Steven’s concerns: ‘Every effort to reach an amicable solution has been exasperated by legal threats. We want to protect the club colours’

This evening there is Lazio

‘I will decide after the Final’

Gasp takes the Dea into the Champions League: Napoli are waiting

Atalanta win 2-0 in Lecce

Coach: ‘What counts for me is the challenge. Future? Bayer first’

Toro crush Milan (3-1): they are now ninth

Roma–Genoa

De Rossi raises the bar: ‘Something has to change’

‘A strong coach gets the players he wants. For six years this team hasn’t gone beyond fifth place’

Guardiola: a poker to enter history

If Manchester City beat West Ham, Pep will win his fourth consecutive Premier League title

Sprint finish with Arsenal

Tuttosport

Motta’s Juve? French style

Reinforcements, tactical system: project ready to take flight

Todibo and Thuram of Nice are objectives for defence and midfield

Meanwhile Montero prepares to lead the team in Bologna

His maxim: ‘Fairness matters in life, but in football I have to win’

Fantastic Next Gen: 3-1 in Caserta, progress in the play-offs

Zhang’s star is shattered

From the Scudetto to chaos within the club: Inter towards a turning point

No agreement with Pimco: this adventure is on its last legs

Strong Suning statement against Oaktree, who are ready to take control of the club and confirm faith in management guided by Marotta

Atalanta in the Champions League

Rejoice, Toro! Europe is right there

Milan flattened (3-1) and Napoli leapfrogged

Zapata, Ilic and Rodriguez seal a fabulous Granata night

Now they need to win in Bergamo to be certain of 9^th place

And then hope Fiorentina triumph in the Conference League Final

Banners against Cairo and players

Juric: ‘I won’t change my mind, there is too little joy here and too much controversy’

The day after he was sacked, Juventus players continue to pay tribute to Max Allegri, with Danilo, Dusan Vlahovic, Tim Weah, Filip Kostic and Kenan Yildiz among those sending messages.

The coach was fired on Friday afternoon with a statement noting that his behaviour during and after the Coppa Italia Final victory over Atalanta was “incompatible” with the values of the club.

Paolo Montero, a former defender who is currently in charge of the Under-19 youth team, is going to sit on the bench for the final two games of the Serie A season.

Meanwhile, players got over the initial shock and have been sending messages to say goodbye to Allegri.

“I thank you for everything and will never forget you,” wrote teenage Turkish sensation Kenan Yildiz on Instagram.

 

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Danilo was named captain of the team by Allegri and reminded the coach of his own motto.

“Ciao Max, you always said that words don’t count for much, it’s action that matters. But I still wanted to make those words public,” wrote the Brazilian.

“Victories are always wonderful, but they do not always allow us to grow, whereas difficult moments force us to mature and allow us to see what every individual is made of.

“Having said that, our moments of difficulty over the last three years were immense, and you and your staff never let go, never allowed us to stop fighting even for one day.

“This lesson will remain with us forever, in football and in life. This means being Juventus! Thank you for everything. Ciao Mister.”

 

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A post shared by Danilo (@daniluiz2)

Vlahovic and Gatti thankful for Allegri lectures

Vlahovic had his clashes with Allegri on the touchline and in training, but showed he recognised it was for his own good.

“It is important to thank those who welcomed you as a youngster and helped you to become a man. Thank you for everything Mister! Thank you also to your staff: Landu, Trombe, Aldo, Prof and Stefano.”

 

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Defender Federico Gatti had a similar approach to his salute.

“Thank you for the faith, the advice and the telling off. I will always be grateful, Mister.”

 

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A post shared by Federico Gatti (@federico_gatti2406)

Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot, who had already written yesterday that Allegri “deserved a better goodbye” to the Bianconeri, confirmed he was anything but offended by that behaviour in the Coppa Italia Final.

Rabiot commented on the Instagram page of L’Equipe describing his coach going ‘completely mad’ with the response: “Greeeeeeeat Mister!”

It was also noted that during the incident that got Allegri sent off, Andrea Cambiaso was standing on the touchline visibly loving every moment of the jacket, tie and shirt tearing antics.

Juventus sent a letter of complaint to Massimiliano Allegri when dismissing him as head coach, highlighting five justifications for their decision to sack the Livornese tactician.

The Bianconeri officially showed the Italian tactician the door on Friday afternoon following his explosive outburst during the Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta on Wednesday evening, where he made his rage plainly apparent before storming down the tunnel.

Allegri has long been a figure of ire amongst Juventus fans and his exit was met with much amusement by fans, who are now hoping to see Bologna’s Thiago Motta take on his post in the summer. In the meantime, Primavera coach Paolo Montero will take over for the final two games.

Five reasons Allegri was sacked

Page two of today’s Corriere dello Sport details how Juventus do not want to pay Allegri for the 2024-25 season, which would cost around €7m net, so have sent a letter of complaint justifying why they sacked him a year ahead of his contract’s expiration.

The five reasons are: his behaviour on the pitch with the referee and fourth official, the damage to LaPresse’s equipment outside the changing room, the fiery argument with Tuttosport editor-in-chief Guido Vaciago, the alleged abuse aimed at security officials and finally his heated discussion with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, where he complained of never being defended.

Ivan Zazzaroni, the editor-in-chief of Corriere dello Sport, explained why the harsh dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus was inevitable, analysing their ‘incompatibility’.

The Italian tactician was officially shown the door from the Old Lady on Friday afternoon following his explosive outburst during the club’s Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta on Wednesday evening, where he took aim at Tuttosport editor-in-chief Guido Vaciago and damaged a press area.

Juventus will now be led by Primavera coach Paolo Montero for their final two matches of the season against Bologna and Monza. The club are widely expected to appoint Bologna’s Thiago Motta as a long-term replacement in the summer.

For Allegri, it’s still unclear whether he’ll take a sabbatical year or immediately return to management in the summer, with a move abroad looking a realistic possibility.

‘Allegri and Juventus incompatible’

Writing on page three of today’s Corriere dello Sport, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief Zazzaroni analysed Allegri’s explosive exit at Juventus, explaining why it was a long time coming.

“The stark truth is contained in a single word in the statement with which Juventus sent Massimiliano Allegri out the door (it’s a disciplinary complaint preceding his dismissal). The word is ‘incompatibility’.

“From the very first moment, 18 months ago, Max had realised he had little in common with this Juve; Juve to which he had returned in 2021 out of passion and ambition. The world had suddenly changed on him, and in a traumatic way.

“But he, stubborn, lazy and naive – yes, naive – as he is, tried to adapt to something and someone who was likely to reject him because he had other ideas, other goals (first and foremost economic sustainability, accounts in order), another story and other methods, they were two entities as incompatible as a bolt and a screwdriver.

“The Elkann management had inherited him, Allegri, there was a very heavy contract to honour and at least in the first few months the new management tried to find the balance point to arrive without too much damage at the end of the road.

“Things, however, gradually deteriorated, relations, already complicated, became strained (also due to Allegri’s fault, for goodness’ sake), some spitefulness was not tolerated, and the affair dragged on until the final of the Coppa Italia, where Max presented the best Juve of the season and won, but then gave the club the opportunity to end it all.

“The letter delivered to the coach lists the five reasons that led the ownership to speed up the dismissal by about ten days, irrelevant, in my opinion, is the attitude held towards the fourth official, a situation that unfortunately occurs in all fields of the world with a frequency and tone that is not very edifying.

“The destruction of the photographic material of LaPresse could have been resolved with a compensation that the agency did not demand, the misunderstandings (euphemism) with the director Giuntoli had been evident for months and on Wednesday night a few too many words escaped.

“The frost towards the president and the CEO, Max should have avoided it, Both Ferrero and Scanavino, however, hadn’t let it be known that in the minutes following the final whistle, Allegri is the least approachable person in the world.

“He discharges the tension with terms that aren’t exactly urban, in the Livorno style all instinct (which I do not justify but understand). Something of this – recent cases – Baccin and Marotta of Inter, Ibra and the communication manager of Milan, with whom the coach has moreover apologised.

“Where Allegri actually made a big mistake was in verbally attacking the editor of Tuttosport, an episode he later regretted and felt ashamed of. And which he ended yesterday with a hug and ‘forgiveness’.

“By dismissing Allegri, the club wanted to protect their image and interests. And knowing one of the top executives, I don’t think money had anything to do with it, football is a lie and an ugly world, it has a language and manners that are hardly tolerated by those who don’t habitually frequent it.

“Of course, the non-compatibility with the values of Juve and the behaviour of those who represent them is paradoxical when referring to those who in eight years have brought five league titles, as many Coppa Italia, two Champions League finals and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.

“But this is another Juve and the line of cutting with the past must be considered and respected.”

Giovanni Galeone, the mentor and close friend of Massimiliano Allegri, opened up about his acrimonious exit from Juventus, why he’d be ideal for Bayern Munich and the lack of Saudi interest.

The 56-year-old Italian coach was at the centre of drama on Wednesday night’s Coppa Italia final against Atalanta. Officiating decisions left him furious on the touchline and he was shown a red card for his protests, prompting him to start stripping off in rage before disappearing down the tunnel.

Allegri’s fury continued as he headed toward the dressing room, taking aim at Tuttosport editor-in-chief Guido Vaciago, threatening to ‘rip his ears off’. He also damaged a press area set up for post-match interviews and was visibly emotional later on in his press conference. He was officially dismissed by Juventus on Friday, bringing an end to his second spell in Turin.

‘Allegri sacking unfair’

Speaking on page 13 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, his mentor and friend Galeone first gave his thoughts on Juventus’ decision to sack Allegri.

“Max’s dismissal is unfair, but at this point it’s better this way, because if Max and Giuntoli don’t get along, it’s better to part ways. I’ve known Max for years, if he exploded like that the other night, there must have been something serious that triggered his reaction.

“Not to mention that the penalty not given to Vlahovic was impossible not to award… One thing is certain, the team in the Coppa Italia showed that they’re with Max.

“It’s mathematical, otherwise Juventus wouldn’t have won with that spirit against Gasperini’s Atalanta. Tactically, they were perfect and defensively they conceded nothing.”

He was asked if this sacking or the one back in 2019 was more painful.

“This one is more painful. His only fault is that he did too well in the first half, creating illusions and external expectations. But do you think that Simone Inzaghi would’ve won the Scudetto with this Juventus squad?

“Max won the Coppa Italia, brought the team back to the Champions League and launched many young players. All with the suspensions of Fagioli and Pogba, who would’ve made the difference even just 20 minutes a game.

“Max can only be blamed for the second half, which however in the end didn’t compromise the seasonal objectives that the club had set.”

Galeone commented on if Allegri or Juventus would benefit more from this separation.

“Max, there’s no doubt about it. He won 12 trophies at the helm of Juve and is the only coach to have won the Coppa Italia five times. Now let’s make room for the professors, let’s see if they will win as much at Juventus.”

He spoke about the idea of seeing Thiago Motta take over in Turin.

“I hear that he is good with young players. Didn’t Allegri transform Cambiaso, launch Yildiz and improve Iling?

“Thiago Motta is good and I’m the first to recognize that, but he also has a nice character. He is more demanding than Max, we’ll see.”

He was asked if Allegri would take a sabbatical year or immediately return to management.

“I hope to see him in the Premier League. Even if my dream is different.”

Galeone elaborated on this dream.

“Bayern Munich. Bayern are the Juventus of Germany, and they are looking for a great coach. Max would be ideal to guide all those talents and bring the Bavarian club back to success after the last Bundesliga ended early with the historic triumph of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. Although…”

Finally, Galeone suggested Allegri wouldn’t be tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia.

“No, because I don’t think Max needs money. Rather, I believe that De Laurentiis, who has always been an admirer of his, will also give a ‘thought’ to Allegri.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Out

The ugliest ending between Allegri and Juve

Club takes a stance: ‘Behaviour was incompatible’

On Monday with Montero

Giuntoli in charge

Here is what Motta’s Old Lady will look like

Inter, Zhang hanging by a thread

Oaktree ready to take the club

Pimco fund steps away, current financer prepared to pounce

There’s Fonseca on the phone

Milan call the Portuguese boss

Scaloni emerges too

Euro Toro try again

Tonight they face the Diavolo, with a victory they can hope

Fiorentina 2-2 Napoli

Il Corriere dello Sport

#SadnessIN

From the Coppa Italia triumph to Allegri Out

A long story of success at Juve ends badly

He is dismissed for incompatibility

Montero on the bench in Bologna

Club decides for an immediate change and blames Max for 5 incidents after victory over Atalanta

Scanavino told him of the dismissal: Giuntoli not seen at Continassa

Thiago Motta, agreement for 2 years plus 1

Napoli-Europe, almost goodbye

With draw in Florence (2-2), Viola are practically secure

Rrahmani opens the scoring, Fiorentina turn it around with Biraghi and Nzola, then Kvara magical free kick

Italiano remains at +2 over Calzona

Another Mihajlovic

His son will be coach of the Bologna babies

Miro follows in his father’s footsteps: he will be assistant-manager of the Under-15 or Under-16 team

His sister Virginia will call her second son Leone Sinisa

Finally FIFA say yes to VAR requests

The announcement

Tuttosport

Allegri sacked: ‘Incompatible with Juve values’

After the controversy, the dismissal arrives with strong statement

Waiting for Motta

Divorce brought forward over behavioural issues: never happened in the Bianconeri

But Agnelli hails him and Rabiot says ‘you deserved a different goodbye’

Montero on the bench for the final two games: tomorrow in Bologna he will face the chosen future coach

The last chat with Max

Meeting at Tuttosport HQ

The coach visited us to apologise to the director and clarify what happened in Rome

Bitterness over a split with Juve filled with tension

Toro, it’s fine like this for Juric

But not for the fans

Tonight against Milan to keep believing

Croatian: ‘I had a good three years. Europe would be the icing on the cake. I want joy, not these splits. There is no unity…’

Draw between Fiorentina and Napoli keeps hope alive

Oaktree ready to take Inter

Still not agreement with Pimco

Without developments this weekend, Zhang will lose control of the club on Tuesday

Meanwhile, the Californian fund hires an Italian communications expert

Former Juventus President Andrea Agnelli, who brought Max Allegri back in 2021, paid tribute to the fired coach with a pointed rebuke of the official club statement.

Allegri has completed his second stint in charge of the Bianconeri after an initial run of five consecutive Serie A titles from 2014 to 2019, returning at the behest of Agnelli in 2021 on a five-year contract.

He was sacked today for his actions on and off the field in the Coppa Italia Final victory over Atalanta, where he raged at the fourth official, his own director Cristiano Giuntoli and the editor of Tuttosport.

The statement released by the club blamed this for his dismissal.

“The exoneration follows certain behaviours during and after the Coppa Italia final that the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus and the behaviour that those who represent it should have.”

With that firmly in mind, the wording of Agnelli’s message on social media feels like a rebuke to the club that he left behind, or rather was forced to leave behind when the scandal over financial irregularities erupted in late 2022.

“An extraordinarily unique mix: pride and humanity that continually combine during a 10-year journey,” wrote Agnelli.

“Thank you Max, thanks to you who represented being Juventus with your every cell. To the end…”

The former patron echoed the sense of ‘representing’ Juventus values, although he turned it on its head to suggest it was Allegri who embodied that spirit rather than the current crop of directors.

Agnelli tribute to Allegri

Un mix straordinariamente unico: superbia e umanità che si fondono continuamente durante un viaggio decennale. Grazie Max, grazie a te che hai rappresentato essere Juventus con ogni tua cellula.
Fino alla fine…

— Andrea Agnelli (@andagn) May 17, 2024

If Juventus noted Max Allegri was fired for ‘behaviour incompatible with the values’ of the club, then interim coach Paolo Montero is most famous for his red cards and punching opponents in the face.

The decision was made to sack Allegri this afternoon, as the tension escalated after the Coppa Italia Final win over Atalanta on Wednesday.

“The exoneration follows certain behaviours during and after the Coppa Italia final that the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus and the behaviour that those who represent it should have,” read the statement.

This included tearing off his jacket, tie and almost shirt, screaming in the face of the fourth official, then getting into an altercation with the editor of Tuttosport.

However, it has raised a few eyebrows among Juve fans that Allegri’s replacement is Montero, famously the ‘hard man’ of the Bianconeri defence during his playing career.

Montero the hard man of Juventus

Now 52, the Uruguayan came to Italy for Atalanta in 1992, then joined Juventus in 1996, where he remained until 2005.

Montero still retains the all-time record for most red cards in Serie A, 16 in 266 matches.

He also received a 20-day ban in 2000 for punching Inter’s Gigi Di Biagio in the face.

“As far as I was concerned, the football pitch was a battle for survival,” said Montero.

If we look beyond Serie A, then Montero received an astonishing 21 red cards in his playing career.

During his time at Juventus in 1996, Montero got into an altercation with a photographer on the side of the pitch who was arguing with his teammate Angelo Di Livio, with the photographer taking him to court.

He hasn’t exactly calmed down, as confirmed by the fact he will not be announced as the new Juventus coach until after Saturday morning – so he can sit out a touchline ban with the Under-19 team.

Adrien Rabiot has shown full support after Max Allegri was sacked by Juventus, insisting ‘you deserved a different goodbye.’

Of all the current players, Rabiot was probably the most bonded to Allegri and had already hinted in the last few months that his decision on whether to remain at Juve would be influenced also by who was on the bench.

So when Allegri was fired with two rounds left in the Serie A season, just days after winning the Coppa Italia for the fifth time, it hurt some more than others.

Rabiot message for Allegri

“You will be remembered as one of the most winning coaches in the history of Juventus,” wrote Rabiot on Instagram.

“You deserved a different goodbye. Thank you for everything Mister and best of luck.”

 

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A post shared by Adrien Rabiot (@adrienrabiot_25)

The midfielder had joined Juventus as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain and was in a position to walk away for free last summer, but decided to sign a one-year extension, despite the fact the club was excluded from European competition due to financial irregularities.

The France international is now in the same situation and expected to leave now that Allegri has been dismissed.

Max Allegri has been sacked by Juventus, so players and fans have reacted to the shock news in very different ways.

The coach was dismissed this afternoon, officially because his behaviour during and after the Coppa Italia Final win over Atalanta on Wednesday was “incompatible with the values” of the club.

Although it was no secret that the Bianconeri were going to fire Allegri at the end of the season, it was still surprising and rare to see him sacked with two rounds left in the Serie A campaign.

Nicolò Fagioli, the midfielder who will make his comeback after a ban for gambling in Monday’s trip to Bologna, was the first to react on social media.

“As you always said, few words needed… THANK YOU, MISTER.”

 

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A post shared by NICOLÓ FAGIOLI (@nicolofagioli)

Juventus fans split on Allegri

When it came to the supporters, there were very different moods in evidence on social media, as the Allegri Out crowd was jubilant.

One even wrote ‘this is the best day of my life’ linked with the Juventus statement.

Others were sad that the coach was ending this second stint in such negative circumstances, having raged at the referee, the fourth official, the editor of Tuttosport and seemingly at director Cristiano Giuntoli during that Coppa Italia Final.

“Thank you Max, more or less everything happened over the last three years, but you always stood up for us, for Juve.”

The situation had been tense for some time, as at the Allianz Juventus Stadium, the ultras would regularly cheer for their coach, whereas the main body of the crowd tended to jeer him.

Max Allegri has been fired as the coach of Juventus for the second time, but he leaves with a remarkable number of records and 12 trophies.

The club released a statement today confirming his dismissal with immediate effect, so Under-19 tactician Paolo Montero is set to take over for the final two games of the Serie A season.

Allegri’s last action was to lift the Coppa Italia, beating Atalanta 1-0 in Wednesday’s Final at the Stadio Olimpico.

That was his 12^th piece of silverware at the club over two spells, lasting from 2014-19 and 2021-24, which included five consecutive Serie A titles from 2014-15 to 2018-19.

Only Giovanni Trapattoni with six won more in a row at Juve.

Allegri and Trapattoni top of Juventus pile

Trap is also the only coach with more games on the Bianconeri bench, with 596 to Allegri’s 407, overtaking Massimiliano Lippi on 405.

Only Trapattoni had more victories for the Old Lady, 319 to 271.

Although his style of football did not always convince everyone, nobody can question Allegri’s results.

He oversaw 268 victories, 68 draws and 71 defeats in all competitions.

In terms of win percentage, Allegri is the most successful coach among those with at least 150 Serie A matches under their belt, victorious in 67% of his 202 Juve games.

His biggest regrets were losing the two Champions League Finals in 2015 to Barcelona and 2017 to Real Madrid.

The wording of the Juventus statement sacking coach Max Allegri suggests they will try to avoid paying his €9m salary, as he was dismissed for ‘just cause.’

It had been in the air and known for some weeks that Allegri would be dismissed at the end of the season, despite his contract running to June 2025 and his ability to achieve all the targets set this term with Champions League qualification and victory in the Coppa Italia.

The concern had been that for the second time after 2019, Juventus might be stuck with the bill for a whole season of his massive salary because they fired him a year early.

This may well explain the wording of the statement confirming his sacking today, as it seems to paint a picture where the club could argue he had to be fired for ‘just cause,’ therefore avoiding a year’s worth of wages.

“The exoneration follows certain behaviours during and after the Coppa Italia final that the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus and the behaviour that those who represent it should have.”

Juventus pounce on Allegri error

Allegri was sent off for dissent during the final minutes of the 1-0 win over Atalanta on Wednesday evening, storming off the field shouting, taking off his jacket, tie and almost his shirt too.

He then got into an altercation with Tuttosport editor Guido Vaciago, although they resolved the matter today with a joint statement on news agency ANSA.

What Sky Sport Italia and others imply was the real breaking point was during the Coppa Italia celebrations on the pitch, when Allegri seemed to declare ‘go away’ and wave his hand dismissively towards director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli.

He denied that afterwards, but was clearly saying it to someone and the club evidently did not believe his version of events either.

Perhaps they also saw an opportunity to rid themselves of Allegri without paying that €9m per season salary for 2024-25.

Paolo Montero will be the interim Juventus coach for the final two games after Max Allegri was sacked, but it won’t be announced until tomorrow to avoid a ban.

The statement from the club this afternoon confirmed that Allegri had been fired after behaviour which was “incompatible” with the “values of Juventus.”

His replacement for the final two matches of the 2023-24 campaign will be former defender Montero, who is currently the coach of Juventus Under-19 youth team.

However, there is a very good reason why this will not be confirmed until Saturday afternoon.

Juventus await Montero ban

It is because Montero has a touchline man that he must sit out and so the confirmation will not be made until after the Under-19 team play their game on Saturday morning.

Montero will then be free to sit on the senior Juve bench for Monday’s showdown with Bologna and the last game of the season against Monza.

Uruguayan Montero played at Juventus from 1996 to 2005, then became a coach in South America and Italy before returning to Turin in 2022 for their youth team.

As for next season, it has been widely reported for a long time that Juve have a deal with Bologna coach Thiago Motta.

Max Allegri becomes only the third coach that Juventus have fired mid-season in the last 50 years and there is a curious symmetry.

The club released a statement this afternoon blaming his behaviour during and after the Coppa Italia Final victory over Atalanta on Wednesday.

Under-19 boss Paulo Montero is set to take over for the final two games of the 2023-24 Serie A season.

Firing coaches mid-season is very unusual at Juventus, and this is only the third time it has happened in the last 50 years.

The others were Claudio Ranieri in 2008-09, making way for Ciro Ferrara, then Ferrara himself fired in 2009-10 to be replaced by Alberto Zaccheroni.

Juventus mid-season sackings

Unlike those coaches, Allegri had already achieved all the targets set for him this season, qualifying for the Champions League, the Club World Cup and winning the Coppa Italia.

Curiously, the last time Allegri was dismissed by Juve was also on May 17, that time in 2019.

He returned in the summer of 2021 and over the total eight seasons he won five Serie A titles, four editions of the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

Juventus have officially sacked coach Max Allegri due to ‘behaviour during and after the Coppa Italia final the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus.’

A statement was released confirming his actions in and around the Coppa Italia Final were “not compatible with the values of Juventus and those who must represent the club.”

The full wording of the statement:

The tactician was under contract until June 2025, but still widely expected to be dismissed over the summer.

However, the situation escalated rapidly following Allegri’s antics during and after the Coppa Italia Final victory over Atalanta on Wednesday.

The coach was first sent off for dissent, then tore off his jacket, tie and started to undo his shirt, shouting for refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi as he stormed away.

During the trophy celebrations, he was caught on camera seeming to tell director Cristiano Giuntoli to ‘go away’ and not join in with the squad.

Allegri tension erupted after Coppa Italia Final

After that, he was also involved in an altercation with Tuttosport editor Guido Vaciago, which is subject to a FIGC investigation.

They tried to calm the situation by releasing a joint statement to news agency ANSA today, but the damage was done.

Allegri oversaw this morning’s training session, then was recalled to the Continassa training ground in the afternoon along with director Giuntoli for the meeting where he was informed of his dismissal.

This was Allegri’s second stint on the Juventus bench after 2014-2019, returning in the summer of 2021.

In those eight seasons, he won five Serie A titles, four editions of the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

In a curious symmetry, Allegri was also fired on May 17 in 2019.

Massimiliano Allegri has returned to Continassa for a meeting with Juventus directors, including Cristiano Giuntoli.

The Italian tactician is set to be sacked by Juventus after losing his cool during a Coppa Italia Final on Wednesday. He raged at club directors, referees, and even journalist Guido Vaciago, with whom he has now cleared the air.

Several reports, including Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport, claim Allegri surprisingly returned to Continassa in the afternoon. He had left the training centre, which is nearby the club headquarters, in the late morning on Friday after leading a training session.

Allegri is now expected to meet Juventus directors, including Giuntoli.

Allegri returns to Continassa for urgent meeting with Juventus directors

According to Sky and Gazzetta, Allegri’s staff members are expected to replace him for the last two games of the season, while Paolo Montero will remain in charge of the U19 squad.

The ex-defender is suspended for the next league game, but he’ll serve his ban on Saturday in a Primavera match away at Frosinone, so he’d be eligible for the Juventus job if the club announced him as Allegri’s successor after the Juventus Primavera game.

However, this should not be the case as Juventus seem to have other plans for the final two games of the season, while Thiago Motta is expected to take over in 2024-25.

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Il Corriere della Sera explains Massimiliano Allegri’s stance by reporting some brief quotes from the Italian tactician: ‘Luckily, this situation will soon be over, but I was the lightning rod this season.’

Juventus are set to sack Allegri, and several sources claim that the Serie A giants will confirm their decision later today.

The Italian tactician raged at referees, club directors and a journalist on Wednesday night, after winning the Coppa Italia in a Final against Atalanta.

Il Corriere della Sera confirms Allegri has never been on good terms with club director Giuntoli and reveals the pair had different ideas on January reinforcements.

Allegri: ‘I was the lightning rod’ at Juventus but it will ‘soon be over’

Allegri reportedly wanted Giacomo Bonaventura or Roberto Pereyra, while Giuntoli signed Carlos Alcaraz on loan with an option to buy from Southampton and Tiago Djalo on a permanent transfer from Lille.

“Luckily, this situation will soon be over,” Allegri said, as Il Corriere della Sera reported.

According to the report, Allegri is also disappointed by Giuntoli’s attitude.

While the director confirmed his trust in Allegri during public interviews this season, he met Motta in February and refused to discuss the future with Allegri privately.

According to the report, Allegri believes Giuntoli should have been more transparent with him and the players. On the contrary, he was delegitimised inside the dressing room, and footballers didn’t take responsibility.

“This season, I was the lightning rod; let’s see who will be next season,” Allegri concluded.