Juventus have announced their decision to sack manager Massimiliano Allegri just days after wrapping up their 15th Coppa Italia title.
Dusan Vlahovic’s early opener inspired the record-time Serie A champions to a narrow 1-0 victory against Atalanta in the Stadio Olimpico showpiece.
Despite ending the club’s three-year title drought, the 56-year-old’s troubled second stint at the Allianz Stadium has come to a premature halt.
As the tensions hit the roof towards the end of a heated final, the veteran coach lost his temper by the touchline, culminating with a stoppage-time red card.
Furious with the referee’s decision to give an excessive added time and award Atalanta several controversial free-kicks, Allegri ripped off his jacket and lashed out at match officials.
Juventus used the Italian’s aggressive reaction as an excuse to relieve him of his duties amid fans’ ongoing protests against the ex-AC Milan tactician’s tenure.
“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,” the club’s statement read.
After guiding Juventus to five consecutive Serie A titles between 2015 and 2019, Allegri returned to the club in 2021 to restore the Bianconeri to their former glory.
However, Andrea Pirlo’s successor has failed to steer the Turin powerhouse back into the Scudetto picture, finishing fourth in his comeback season before last season’s dismal seventh-place finish.
If it’s any consolation, another impending fourth-place finish will see Juventus back to the Champions League group stages following a season-long absence due to a UEFA ban.
Club supporters never liked Allegri’s style of play, accusing him of being too cautious, and Juventus’ worst scoring campaign in Serie A this century suggests they were not wrong.
Juventus eventually listened to their prayers and can now focus on completing the long-awaited arrival of Bologna boss Thiago Motta.
