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In one of the most violent shake-ups in the Milan club’s recent history, shocking details have been revealed about a brutal confrontation that almost turned into a hand-to-hand fight between former coach Massimiliano Allegri and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an adviser to owner Jerry Cardinale, days before the massive ouster that shook the Lombard club to its foundations.
According to the Italian “Corriere della Sera”, the incident took place in a luxury restaurant in Milan, where the two men had an argument over the selection of the third goalkeeper for next season, before sporting director Igli Tare intervened to separate them and prevent the matter from escalating into a physical confrontation.
A storm engulfs the San Siro
Yesterday, Monday, AC Milan announced the departure of four of the most prominent pillars of the technical and sporting administration in a shocking surprise to their fans: CEO Giorgio Forlani, sporting director Igli Tare, coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada, in a decision that reflects the magnitude of the club’s crisis.
The collective decision comes after a disastrous season in which the Rossoneri finished fifth in the Italian league, outside the Champions League qualification spots for the first time in years, a disappointing finish that angered fans and management.
Ibrahimovic…the greatest winner
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 44, appears to be the biggest winner from these dramatic developments, with his powers greatly expanded as an adviser to American owner Jerry Cardinale, becoming the de facto strongman at the San Siro.
A strained relationship from the beginning
Club sources revealed that relations between Allegri and Ibrahimovic were strained throughout the season as the two sides found it increasingly difficult to work together in light of conflicting visions on technical policy and contracts.
The tension also extended to CEO Forlani, who found himself in direct confrontation with the Swedish star’s growing influence.
European qualification requirement
According to sources close to the board, Allegri could have continued with the club if he managed to lead the team to Champions League qualification, as his contract included an automatic extension if that goal was achieved, but failure to finish fourth sealed his fate and that of the rest of the squad.
The straw that broke his back
The restaurant incident reveals the depth of the crisis ravaging the club behind the scenes as a row between a coach and a Swedish adviser escalated into an imminent physical confrontation, in a rare scene reflecting the state of administrative chaos that has gripped the San Siro in recent months.
