AC Milan are about to finish third in a two-horse Serie A title race. The Rossoneri lost steam and fell apart in the second half of the season following a brilliant start under Massimiliano Allegri.
Milan endured a disastrous 2024/25 campaign, finishing ninth and failing to qualify for Europe, prompting the club’s directors to turn to a familiar figure to salvage things.
After an underwhelming summer transfer window and a patchy start to life, Milan went on a stellar run of unbeaten games, perching close to eternal rivals Inter Milan at the summit of the table.
The amazing run had Milan fans believing that they could finally challenge for the title again and give the Nerazzurri, the favourites, a run for their money.
Signs that the wheels were falling off began to appear in January, following three draws during the wretched month, but the directors failed to read the writing on the wall.
When the squad was crying out for reinforcement to sustain the title challenge, the club brought in West Ham United flop Niclas Fullkrug and Alphadjo Cisse (he went back out on loan) in January.
Unsurprisingly, Fullkrug didn’t move the needle, leaving Milan lacking serious quality up top.
Since January, Milan have lost to Parma, Lazio, Napoli, Udinese, and Sassuolo.
The Rossoneri have dropped to third, and there are serious questions about whether Allegri is the right man to lead the club because of the capitulation.
However, the club should be thanking its stars that the Italian tactician has salvaged what could have been another poor season following their abysmal summer transfer window.
Allegri is the reason Milan are returning to the Champions League next season. He has done a sensational job of keeping the club in a good position against all odds.
Milan do not have a top-class centre-forward or defensive midfielder, and lack a creative player who can unlock defences.
The club’s directors should be hanging their heads in shame for the poorly assembled squad that has left Allegri in this position.
Sure, his football is not the most enthralling. One of his most memorable touchline moments this season involved him stopping Pervis Estupinan from taking a quick throw-in and raising the tempo of the game.
But Allegri is not to blame here. He has done a great job. It is now up to the board to atone for their mistakes by bringing in difference-makers that can help challenge for top honours.
Sacking Allegri now would only send Milan backwards again. Few coaches could have extracted more from this group, especially with the lack of support in the transfer market.
Milan have a manager capable of rebuilding the club’s identity and competitiveness.
Instead of changing coaches yet again, the Rossoneri must back Allegri this summer and give him the tools to finish the job.