It is a critical part of the season, and once again, AC Milan are surrounded by a controversial situation, which is becoming all too common now.
There were rumours about Paulo Fonseca’s job throughout his tenure, whilst Sergio Conceicao was going to be without a job before several big occasions. In other words, the Milan head coach being surrounded by rumours about his future is no surprise.
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It shouldn’t be the truth, but it almost feels expected that there will be questions and now, they have arrived about Massimiliano Allegri. Shocker, again, they are in the lead-up to a massive fixture for the Rossoneri. However, are things quiet, or is there actually any truth to what is being suggested?
Initial claims of Allegri’s future
On Tuesday, SportItalia director Michele Criscitiello reported that the Italian was ‘unhappy with the current internal dynamics’ to the point where he is considering his future for the summer. Whilst perhaps believable to an extent, it is a bold claim to make.
“The news from February doesn’t carry the same weight as the news from March-April, because just one or two wins are enough for the world to change. However, we are at the lowest point in the relationship between the current Milan and the current Allegri.
“Allegri is unhappy with many things, with the management of the Rossoneri transfer market, with the confusion that still reigns at the corporate level, with the ownership, and with the interlocutors within the club.
“It’s not a strong statement, it’s not meant to be a buzz phrase, but right now Allegri is seriously considering his future, starting next season.”
Of course, considerations and actual desire to leave are separate things entirely. You can consider going to the shop and not go, or you can actually make the movement towards going – poor example, but a thought isn’t anything more unless an action is taken.
The point is that if this were a proper concern, there would probably be something to counteract it or solidify it from other sources. Now, this is not to say that SportItalia are unreliable, but instead, the lack of supporting evidence suggests otherwise.
Since then, further reports have emerged from Calciomercato.com on Thursday, and Nicolo Schira today. Both replicate what was reported – that Allegri is a little unhappy – but there are, importantly, no mentions of his future.
Again, that is massively important; unhappiness can be solved through discussion. If he were considering his job, that would be the headlines. Instead, it is that he wants to meet with the management for clarification.
Taking stock of the situation
So, what are the consistent elements? Firstly, is that there are internal frictions, and then also that he wants greater control of things. Both are understandable and ultimately related.
Reports suggest that Allegri has been overlooked in the mercato, as shown with the attempted signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta, which reportedly completely handled by Giorgio Furlani without, keyword, the input of the manager.
It has been previously suggested that Furlani was also completely in control of the signing of Christopher Nkunku, which would make it almost €70 million spent on the incorrect strikers – not pocket change.
Allegri has been clear with what he wants, and neither option really ticks all the boxes, so him seeking more control over transfers, given his massive success with Adrien Rabiot, is understandable, and perhaps needed.
Is he going?
So, to round it off, is Allegri going? Right now, we’d hazard a guess at no. Of course, it cannot be ruled out, but the idea of a multi-year partnership has been discussed regularly, so throwing that away even before the end of this season feels out of the question.
Furthermore, there have been no follow-up reports confirming that extra step. Reports since have strayed away from a mention about his job, focusing instead on the dissatisfaction over certain, solvable situations.
In football, things can change quickly, but this feels like a situation where we have to remain grounded.
One needs to understand that the Italian sports press is very anti-Milan and they love to make up stories in order to incentive discord within the club. Whether or not these allegations are true, is not at all proven just because some “journalists” claim that they are happening. Sportitalia is a joke and notoriously unreliable. Take it with a big grain of salt.
I’m not giving it much credence. But if Allegri is intentionally having his people spread the rumor to get a little more leverage and make Furlani look (more) incompetent then fair play.
The coach absolutely should have a say in which specific players he wants. Or doesn’t. Especially one with the clout of Allegri who has proven he can win trophies and go far in Europe.
He deserves a say in the project.
Think of it logically,
If there is an issue in Milan do you think Allegri or our management would tell journos? DO they look like Conte to you?