11 August 2015
Massimiliano Allegri celebrates his 48th birthday, having wrapped up a record-breaking seventh Italian Super Cup for the Bianconeri on Saturday.
The victory over Lazio was not only significant for Juventus but also for Allegri himself, who joins Fabio Capello and Rafael Benitez as the only manager to have won the season's curtain-raiser with more than one team.
After a playing career as a skillful and technical advanced midfielder at Cagliari, Pescara and Perugia among others, Allegri has enjoyed a seamless transition from the field to the dugout.
Breaking onto the scene at Sassuolo, the Tuscan tactician secured an historic promotion to Serie B with the Neroverdi in 2008. He would go on to become manager of the season at Cagliari the following campaign for guiding the Sardinians to a ninth placed finish in Italy's top flight.
A Scudetto and Italian Super Cup with Milan two years later cemented the Livorno-born coach’s position as one of Italy’s best.
Taking the top job at Juventus last summer, few would argue that his first season in charge could have gone any better, guiding his side to their fourth consecutive Serie A title with four games in hand, in doing so becoming the first manager to win two league titles in their debut season at different clubs.
Allegri followed that up with a tenth Coppa Italia, overturning Lazio in Rome, before masterminding a glorious run to the Bianconeri’s first Champions League final in 12 years, narrowly losing to Barcelona.
On his special day, everyone associated with Juventus Football Club wishes Massimiliano many happy returns and the best of luck for the new season.
