While AC Milan agreed a club-record deal for Goncalo Ramos on Friday, they did so with two coaches on their books.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Milan have hired Ruben Amorim as their new head coach for the next three years, who is the designated man to replace Massimiliano Allegri. Meanwhile, Aurelio De Laurentiis is hoping that the latter is freed up so he can sign with Napoli.
Allegri remains in a limbo that was supposed to be short-lived but is instead becoming unpleasantly prolonged. Certainly beyond what’s legally permissible, given that Max is Napoli’s coach in pectore, but not in official or legal terms.
Furthermore, periodic reassurances arrive that the arrival is not at risk in the slightest. Inside the Napoli offices they say they’re calm, but meanwhile the days pass without any news.
The root of the impasse
It all boils down to the breakdown of the relationship between Allegri and Milan, and it should be clarified immediately that this matter immediately ended up in the hands of their respective lawyers.
The timeline states that on May 25, Milan published the statement announcing the departure of Allegri. This was effectively a dismissal. On the 28th, three days later, the coach received the club’s official certified email – signed by president Scaroni – informing him of his sacking.
Allegri’s contract expires in 2027, so in order to move to Naples, it must be terminated. In these cases, it’s called a mutual termination. This scenario includes a clause in the contract that would allow Milan to deduct from his salary whatever Max will earn from his new club.
In short: at Milan, he earned €5m net per season (which would have risen to €6m in the event of a Champions League spot), while Napoli offered him €4.5m (plus bonuses). This means an outlay of €500k for the Rossoneri.
This is where things get bogged down. It’s (easily) conceivable that Allegri is wanting a higher severance package, just as it’s (equally) conceivable that Cardinale isn’t willing to add a single cent.
This is the crux of the matter, and clearly it’s in no one’s best interest to dig in. If an agreement isn’t reached, Milan would have to pay the final year of Max’s contract in full, and he would be sidelined for a season. Napoli too would be left without the man they want.