AC Milan in Turmoil: Cardinale Fires Allegri and Entire Leadership, Only Ibrahimovic Remains as Club Faces €90M Financial Hit
AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has executed a sweeping purge of the club's technical and executive leadership, firing manager Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada after a disastrous season that saw the Rossoneri miss out on Champions League qualification.
The Monday night massacre
In what has been described as an unprecedented 'revolution' and an 'earthquake', RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale cleaned house at AC Milan on Monday evening. The club confirmed the immediate dismissals of manager Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada. The decision came after a crushing final-day defeat to Cagliari at San Siro, which sealed a fifth-place finish and a second consecutive season outside the Champions League.
Due to an unequivocal failure, the conditions no longer exist to continue like this: the time has come for a profound reorganization of the Club's sporting area.
The only senior figure to survive the cull is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club's Senior Advisor, who will now take a central role in the reconstruction. Cardinale reportedly told colleagues, 'This is my first day as owner of Milan,' as angry fans hung protest banners outside the club's offices.
The financial bloodletting
The sporting collapse carries a staggering financial cost. Analysts estimate the missed Champions League revenue at between €70 and €90 million, factoring in participation bonuses, ranking shares, TV rights, and matchday income. Compounding the damage, the cost of terminating the contracts of Allegri, Furlani, Tare, and Moncada is projected at approximately €22 million gross, though final figures may be reduced through settlement agreements.
- Missed Champions League Revenue
- 70 € millions
- Contract Termination Costs
- 22 € millions
The Europa League revenue that Milan will now receive is considered 'small change' compared to the riches of Europe's elite competition. The double financial blow will severely constrain the club's summer transfer budget and force a leaner operational model.
The search for a new manager
With the old guard swept away, Ibrahimovic and Cardinale are moving quickly to appoint a new head coach. The profile sought is a modern, progressive 'game-oriented' manager in the mould of Ferguson or Klopp, not a pragmatic Italian-style coach. Antonio Conte is explicitly not under consideration, having been rejected a year ago and remaining unconvincing to Ibrahimovic.
The leading candidates are Xavi, the former Barcelona legend who won La Liga, and Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth. Francesco Farioli, fresh from winning the Portuguese title with Porto, and Thiago Motta are also on the list, though Motta's stock has fallen after a disappointing spell at Juventus. The club wants a swift resolution, aiming to finalize the appointment within days.
Player exodus and Maldini's shadow
Rafael Leão is the first big-name player expected to leave in the summer window. The Portuguese forward failed to meet expectations this season, and the club is prepared to listen to offers. His name has also surfaced in connection with Fenerbahçe, where presidential candidate Hakan Safi has promised marquee signings.
Adding to the drama, club legend Paolo Maldini resurfaced on social media on the very day of the sackings, posting a photo from Istanbul with Safi. The Fenerbahçe candidate called Maldini 'a great football mind' and a 'true friend,' hinting at a future advisory role should he win the club's presidential election on June 6-7. Maldini's appearance rubbed salt in the wounds of Rossoneri fans who still mourn his acrimonious departure under Cardinale's ownership.
The wider coaching carousel
The upheaval at Milan is set to trigger a domino effect across Serie A. Allegri, despite fierce criticism from pundits like Antonio Cassano—who declared him 'finished' and only fit for a relegation-battling side—remains a candidate for the Napoli job, along with Vincenzo Italiano. Antonio Conte, having left Napoli, is now on standby, with Juventus reportedly ready to recall him if their own restructuring plans falter. Meanwhile, Lazio have moved decisively, announcing Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager on a two-year contract.
He is very good at selling himself to players and the press. With his cunning he has managed to fool Italian football, but people in Italy are no longer stupid. He is inadequate, he ruined Milan.
The only Serie A coaches considered safe are Cristian Chivu at Inter, Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, and Cesc Fàbregas at Como, whose fourth-place finish has made him untouchable.
