CorSport: ‘Knows how it’s done’ – why Milan see Allegri as the best man for the present moment

AC Milan are in a rut at the moment, but the club’s hierarchy are firm in their belief they have the man to get them out of it: Massimiliano Allegri.

As Corriere dello Sport begin this morning, ‘he knows how it’s done’. In times of crisis, having a coach like Allegri at the helm often means having a leader that is using to coping with delicate and complicated situations, thanks to astute management of the dressing room at human level.

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It’s a quality he’s been recognised for wherever he’s been: the Livorno-born coach may have some flaws, but when it comes to steering a ship even in the roughest seas, he always knows his stuff. Now, he has to lead AC Milan to the Champions League ocean.

A burning desire

This season has been no exception to Allegri’s approach. Since taking over last June, the coach has successfully restructured a club that had been left in shambles by the previous season’s ill-advised decisions, which ended with a disastrous eighth-place finish.

He got it back on its feet first through the credibility of his project, then through consistent results on the pitch and a long unbeaten run. All this has been put into practice to help him weather periods of inadequacy with the right counter-measures.

Indeed, one of those periods has arrived now, with three games remaining in the season. The Milan side of recent weeks seems to have lost that hunger, concentration and sharpness that characterised the entire first half of the season.

Allegri reminded his players of this already in Reggio Emilia, shouting in the dressing room: “This is not who we are.” His Milan can’t be the lacklustre and disorganised side of recent matches, especially since qualification for next season’s Champions League is a must.

After Sunday’s outburst, Allegri moved on to a motivational speech at Milanello. He let each player examine their consciences on their own without being criticided further, before having them meet again and addressing all of them just once.

The coach provided a reminder of responsibility, personal pride, and the prestige of the club they play for. Allegri’s recent past at Juventus is a testament to how he can find a way through. On Sunday, against Atalanta, the Rossoneri hope to finally sail past the choppy waters.