Struggling Serie A giants AC Milan have sacked their head coach Massimiliano Allegri, according to the BBC. Milan are currently languishing in 11th place having won just five of their 19 league games this season, leaving them a whopping 30 points adrift of leaders Juventus. Allegri announced late last year that this would be his final season in charge after four years with the Rossoneri. Yet the decision for him to step down appears to have been taken earlier than expected with the 46-year-old and his entire backroom staff being dismissed. Assistant coach and former player Mauro Tassotti has been put in temporary charge of Milan while sacked Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is apparently in the frame to take over permanently. Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Sassuolo appears to have been the final straw for Allegri, whose side have now lost seven times already this season. A club statement read:
"Massimiliano Allegri and his staff have been relieved of their duties. "AC Milan would like to thank Mr Allegri and his staff for their time with the club and wishes them the best for the future."
Allegri led Milan to the Serie A title in his first season in charge of the club, after replacing Leonardo in June 2010. They finished runners-up to Juventus the following year but fell into decline thereafter, coming 15 points behind Juve last season, who won the Italian league yet again. And the embarrassing defeat to newcomers Sassuolo appeared to be a bridge too far for Allegri, who, according to club director Barbara Berlusconi, was fired for "intolerable performances".
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
