Massimiliano Allegri has a history of losing his temper in the dugout at Juventus, with his Coppa Italia final antics the latest in a long line of emotional outbursts.
The 56-year-old Italian coach’s second spell at the Old Lady is quickly coming to an end following Wednesday evening’s cup win over Atalanta, with his rage in the closing stages of the match and anger after the full-time whistle, clearly spelling the end of his era.
Juventus are now seemingly in the process of dismissing Allegri, likely before the end of the season, but his emotional outburst in the Coppa Italia final is not a new step for the tactician, who has often shown his frustration.
12 times Allegri exploded at Juventus
La Gazzetta dello Sport reflected on 12 instances of Allegri losing his temper during his two spells at Juventus, remembering his various angry quotes and frustrated acts.
1 – Post Genoa draw
After a draw against Genoa back in March, the Bianconeri coach hit out at journalist Gianfranco Teotino, who questioned why he didn’t use a three-man frontline.
“It could be done, but we have to think about the results. I have a thermometer on the team, we are in difficulty, but we have to do the best we can, but in these moments, it can create confusion. We are currently third in the table, do you know how to be a coach?
“I don’t know how to be a journalist. Ask me a more intelligent question and maybe I’ll answer… You don’t have to understand, you just have to ask questions, which is different. What do you understand anyway? I coach the team, there are those who understand and those who don’t.”
2 – Nantes rage
Again on Sky Sports Italia, Allegri exploded after a 1-1 draw with Nantes in the Europa League play-off knockout stage.
“I don’t want the Juventus of 1-0! I get tired of hearing this bullsh*t you say. I say that if we put the ball to sleep it won’t be good. But I don’t want to win 1-0, it’s a cliché, these are inaccurate things.
“My teams have always finished first in defence and second in attack, scoring 70-80 goals. You don’t run away from data, the wind takes away chatter. You chat about nothing, I talk about numbers.”
3 – Against a fan
During a 1-0 win over Fiorentina in February 2023, Allegri took aim at a Juventus fan in the stands who was booing Moise Kean, Mattia De Sciglio and Leandro Paredes.
He shouted back: “What is it? Shut up! Go and coach!”
4 – Di Maria rage
In the closing stages of a Coppa Italia win over Lazio in February 2023, the Juventus coach was infuriated with Angel Di Maria’s inability to retain the ball as his side tried to close out a tense victory. The moment left him incensed with rage, storming down the tunnel screaming and shaking.
5 – Kicking the ads
Allegri was in a bad mood watching Juventus’ summer clash with Spezia back in August 2022, scolding his players and briefly encroaching onto the pitch to share his anger. After Arkadiusz Milik’s 92nd minute goal to make it 2-0, the coach celebrated by furiously kicking the advertising hoardings.
6 – Head-to-head with Farris
In May 2022, during the first half of extra time in the Coppa Italia final against Inter, Allegri went face to face with Inter assistant Massimiliano Farris, angrily arguing with his Nerazzurri counterpart. When Ivan Perisic made it 4-2, he flung off his jacket in frustration.
He later explained: “Do you want to know what happened? One of the Inter players kicked me, I reacted and the referee, rightly, sent me off.”
7 – A joke gone array
Travelling back to 2014, the Juventus coach came to blows with Arrigo Sacchi during an interview on Live TV. The host started it by saying: “Maybe you two agree tonight”, which the tactician immediately challenged, replying: “Maybe not even tonight.”
Sacchi responded with “It doesn’t do you much honour, given my history and your history”, prompting Allegri to counter: “Okay Arrigo, if you’re touchy… I was taught to listen to everyone, then I decide who to take and who not to take.”
The former Milan coach hit back: “I’m not willing to talk. When he has learned the respect for people, then I will speak.”
Allegri tried to explain it was a joke, but Sacchi felt he was arrogant, prompting the Bianconeri tactician to respond: “Arrogant what?! You get angry… It’s not that I can agree. You see one game, I see another. I’m a coach, you sit there commenting…”
8 – Adani attack
In April 2019, Allegri was interviewed on Sky Sports by Daniele Adani, who again was involved in an argument with the Juventus coach.
“I hear you explaining, then I’ll speak. Being a coach doesn’t mean sitting down to make plans. In Italy there is a problem, they are all becoming theorists,” started the tactician, before Adani responded: “Massimiliano, but you’re a theorist too!”
Tempers began to flare and Adani began accusing Allegri of “not being serious, sensible or thoughtful”. The coach didn’t agree, hitting back with “You’re the first to read books and you know nothing about football, because you’ve never been a coach. You’re back there and you don’t know anything, because being a coach is something else. Now I’ll talk and shut up.”
9 – Against Sconcerti
After beating Milan in the Coppa Italia final in 2018, Allegri took aim at Mario Sconcerti on RAI, saying: “It seems that for a football match you need to send missiles to the moon. Something that goes beyond those who don’t know football.”
Sconcerti questioned who the Juventus coach was angry with, and he retorted: “With no one, but if you answer like that it means you feel attacked… every time you tell you ask absurd questions. Football is reduced to a thousand things, when instead it’s like Monopoly, there are a thousand unexpected events to manage.”
He refused to accept he was ‘tired’, saying: “I’m not tired, I’m very clear-headed, unlike you who aren’t even clear-headed when you ask questions.”
10 – The first jacket throw
Now a staple of his frustration, it was back in the 2015-16 season when the Juventus coach first threw off his suit jacket in rage during a 3-2 win over Carpi.
During the closing stages, when the hosts threatened to equalise, Allegri expressed his anger at the situation by launching his jacket off to the side. He later explained: “It was the last match before the break and I told the boys not to ruin my holidays, because I didn’t want to lose. Lichtsteiner made a reverse stop inside the area… I was p*ssed off for two hours!”
11 – Coppa Italia fury
The most recent example, much has already been written about Allegri’s fury during Juventus’ Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta on Wednesday evening, which saw him earn a red card, strip off his tie and suit jacket, and shout at the fourth official before disappearing into the changing room.
He returned to the pitch for the celebrations and was professional with Gian Piero Gasperini, but his anger was still visible, clearly saying ‘out, out’ to somebody – possibly Cristiano Giuntoli.
12 – LaPresse attack
Following his expulsion in the Coppa Italia final, Allegri lashed out at an FIGC prosecutor, furious with the situation, and he kicked the lights and the set outside the dressing room, damaging the former, set up by LaPresse. The club subsequently asked if reimbursement was needed for the damage caused.
What a complete tool this man is.