16 July 2014
Massimiliano Allegri joins Juventus with a reputation as one of the finest Italian coaches in the business.
It was his time at Milan that confirmed his managerial credentials at the very highest level, with his arrival in 2010 sparking a remarkable upturn in fortunes that would result in the Rossoneri ending their seven-year Scudetto drought during his first year at the helm.
Allegri, a former midfielder who enjoyed a 19-year professional playing career, first came to national prominence in 2008, when he masterminded a historic promotion into Serie B for Sassuolo.
His achievements with the Neroverdi attracted the attentions of Cagliari, whose owner, Massimo Cellino, moved quickly to install him as the club’s new coach for the 2008/09 season.
Despite working with limited resources in Sardinia, Allegri lifted the Rossoblu to a highly respectable ninth-placed finish in his first campaign at the helm.
This, coupled with the eye-catching football on show, saw the Tuscan-born tactician scoop the prestigious 2008/09 ‘Panchina d’Oro’ (Golden Bench) award.
A year later, Allegri was appointed manager of Milan, whose decision was instantly vindicated when he inspired them to Serie A and Super Cup triumphs at the first time of asking.
This feat saw him become one of the youngest coaches to ever win the title, earning him the Serie A 2010/11 manager of the year award in the process.
Now tasked with building on the Bianconeri’s recent success, Allegri’s winning pedigree and propensity for attacking, attractive football make him the perfect fit for a brand new era in Turin.
