Juventus has dismissed Massimiliano Allegri following inappropriate behavior during the club’s Italian Cup victory, which the Serie A team found “incompatible” with its values.
Despite Juventus’ 1-0 triumph over Atalanta in Rome, Allegri was sent off late in the game for berating match officials and dismissing the sporting director during celebrations.
“Juventus announces that it has relieved Massimiliano Allegri from his role as coach of the men’s first team,” the club stated. “The dismissal follows certain behaviors during and after the Italian Cup final which the club deemed incompatible with the values of Juventus and those who represent it.”
The club wished Allegri “good luck in his future endeavors.”
Allegri’s ejection in the final minutes of Wednesday’s match was due to his tirade against match officials. He also dismissively waved away sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli during post-match celebrations. Additionally, Allegri reportedly manhandled and threatened the chief editor of Tuttosport before the post-match press conference.
His sideline outburst, where he ripped off his tie and jacket in front of John Elkann, CEO of Exor, the holding company controlling Juventus and Ferrari, was particularly notable.
Juventus had already been rumored to replace Allegri with Bologna coach Thiago Motta in the summer following a lackluster season. However, the club was prompted to announce their decision with two matches remaining in the current campaign.
Juventus is currently fourth in Serie A, 25 points behind champions Inter Milan, having collected just 15 points in their last 15 league matches. They face Bologna on Monday night, with both teams already qualified for next season’s revamped Champions League.
When asked by AFP, the Turin giants did not specify whether Allegri was dismissed with just cause, which could potentially save the club from paying the remaining year of his contract, worth around seven million euros ($7.6 million) before bonuses.
The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has launched an investigation into Allegri, who was given an automatic two-match ban in the cup for his straight red card but may face further punishment.
