Massimiliano Allegri has pledged to restore AC Milan to its former glory as he begins his second stint as manager of the struggling Italian giants.
The Rossoneri turned to the proven winner after sacking Sergio Conceicao following a dismal eighth-place finish in the 2024-25 season – the club’s worst league performance in a decade.
“The goal for this season is to return to the Champions League as a club like AC Milan has to play in Europe,” Allegri declared during a press conference in Singapore, where Milan is preparing for a pre-season friendly against Arsenal. “This is the sole objective for me from the get-go. These are the games the team lives for. We’re not going to look back, but we are looking forward to the future now.”
The 57-year-old Italian manager, who previously led Milan from 2010 to 2014, inherits a team that not only missed European qualification but also fell short in the Coppa Italia final against Bologna. Allegri’s first tenure at Milan saw him deliver the club’s first Scudetto in 2011 since their 2004 triumph, before his subsequent successful spell at Juventus where he won five consecutive Serie A titles.
“It has been more than a decade since I first took charge of Milan. The situation is obviously different now. A lot has changed, not just in Milan but in the world of football,” Allegri reflected. “But the overall goal remains the same, and that is to get this club back to where it belongs, and that is the Champions League.”
Allegri highlighted the recent signing of 39-year-old Luka Modric from Real Madrid as key to Milan’s revival. The Croatian midfielder, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, brings a wealth of experience to the seven-time European champions.
“Modric is a proven champion who does not need any introduction. He is a role model not only from the discipline but technical perspective,” said Allegri, clearly banking on the veteran’s leadership to inspire his squad.
The manager’s immediate focus will be on rebuilding team morale and implementing his tactical philosophy during their Asian pre-season tour, which continues with Wednesday’s match against Arsenal in Singapore. With the new Serie A season approaching, Allegri faces the formidable challenge of transforming Milan’s fortunes and returning the historic club to Europe’s elite competition.
