Juventus shocked the football world by announcing the sacking of their manager, Massimiliano Allegri, just two days after winning the Coppa Italia final against Atalanta. The decision to part ways with Allegri came after he lost his cool in stoppage time during the final, resulting in a two-game suspension and a red card for his behavior.
Allegri’s actions, which included angrily ripping off his jacket and sarcastically applauding the referee, were deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus. The club stated that his behavior during and after the Italian Cup final was not in line with the standards expected of those who represent Juventus. In addition to the suspension, Allegri was fined $5,400 by the Serie A league judge for using insulting language and gestures towards the referees.
Investigation and Speculations
Italian media reported that Allegri was also aggressive towards journalists after the match, prompting an investigation by the Italian football federation into the events that took place during the final. Allegri’s departure comes at a time when Juventus has been facing a challenging season, currently sitting in fourth place in Serie A and banned from European competition due to a false accounting case.
This recent stint at Juventus was Allegri’s second, with his first tenure being far more successful, winning five consecutive Serie A titles from 2015 to 2019. However, his return to the club in July 2021 failed to live up to expectations. The only silverware he managed to win during his second spell was the Italian Cup, which turned out to be his final match with the team.
Uncertain Future
With Allegri’s departure, Juventus now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement. There have been rumors of the club’s interest in hiring Thiago Motta from Bologna for the upcoming season. Reports suggest that this speculation may have caused a rift between Allegri and the club, leading to his controversial exit. Juventus, however, has not yet announced who will succeed Allegri as the next manager of the team.