AC Milan approach Iraola to replace departing Allegri

AC Milan have contacted the representatives of Andoni Iraola as they begin to rebuild following a disappointing end to their season, according to Sky Sports.

The Rossoneri confirmed a sweeping restructure on Monday after missing out on Champions League qualification for a second straight campaign.

Manager Max Allegri has been dismissed alongside sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada.

Milan had started the season well and looked on course to compete for the Serie A title, but things fell apart in the second half of the campaign.

A disastrous final-day defeat to Cagliari dropped them from third to fifth in Serie A, meaning they must settle for Europa League football.

The seven-time Champions League winners now want a complete reset ahead of the new campaign, with further appointments expected in the coming weeks.

Iraola has quickly emerged as one of the leading contenders.

The Spaniard did a tremendous job at Bournemouth, guiding them into Europe for the first time in their 127-year history while ending the season on an extraordinary 18-match unbeaten run.

The former Rayo Vallecano boss has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen after confirming he will leave the Vitality Stadium this summer.

And while it feels slightly surreal that Milan are not aggressively pursuing Antonio Conte, their interest in Iraola could prove hugely significant for the club’s future direction.

Italian football is guilty of recycling tactically stale ideas and familiar names.

Milan desperately need fresh energy, modern coaching and progressive thinking. Iraola represents exactly that.

The club sold Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo, yet still produced vibrant, fearless football.

That is elite coaching, and it is easy to understand why Milan are interested in Iraola.