Juventus sack Massimiliano Allegri after cup final antics

Posted Saturday, May 18, 2024 by ESPN

Massimiliano Allegri has been sacked by Juventus, the club announced Friday, two days after they beat Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final.

Juventus have two games left in Serie A, but Allegri was due to miss them following a two-game suspension for his behavior in the final on Wednesday.

Allegri lost his cool in stoppage time when he grew angry at a decision, ripped off his jacket and earned a red card for sarcastically applauding the referee as Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0.

Juventus said in a statement that Allegri's behavior was not in line with their "values."

"The firing follows certain behaviors during and after the Italian Cup final that the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus, and the behavior that those who represent it should have," the club said.

Juventus have sacked Massimiliano Allegri.

Aside from the suspension, he was also fined $5,400 by the Serie A league judge. Allegri "acted aggressively" and used insulting language and gestures toward the referees, the judge reported.

Italian media reported that Allegri was also aggressive toward journalists after the match.

The Italian football federation is looking into the events during the final.

"We can confirm that an investigation on incident (that) happened during the Coppa Italia Final, in which ... Allegri and Tuttosport newspaper's director Guido Vaciago were involved, is in due course amongst the FIGC's Prosecutor Office," FIGC said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Away from the Italian Cup, Juventus have had a disappointing season. The side are fourth in Serie A and have been banned from European competition due to a false accounting case.

Allegri was in his second stint at Juventus, having rejoined the club in July 2021. He was more successful in his first term at the Bianconeri, winning five straight Serie A titles from 2015 to '19. His only trophy since returning was the Italian Cup won this week, which has become his final match with the team.

Juventus did not immediately announce a replacement for Allegri. There has been speculation that the club wants to hire Thiago Motta from Bologna for next season, which may have led to a rift between Allegri and the club.