Juventus could part ways with manager Massimiliano Allegri before the end of the season, according to reports, with the Italian boss denying claims he threatened an Italian journalist following the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday evening.
Traditionally the powerhouse of Italian football – at least for the last 15 years – Juventus have endured a wearisome few years, though they will secure a Champions League return this term.
Although they have not lifted the title since then there had been some improvement in 2023-24 with the club winning the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening, however that success was overshadowed by off-field controversy.
The Juventus head coach was sent off moments before full-time after losing his temper in the technical area and reportedly continued to express his fury with the media.
According to Tuttosport editor-in-chief Guido Vaciago, Allegri confronted him with threats and insults after the match, furious at the journalist for ‘not writing the truth’ in his newspaper.
Juventus are reportedly considering firing Massimiliano Allegri before the end of the season
Allegri lost his temper during the final and reportedly continued his fury towards the media
The Old Lady are thought to have an agreement already in place with Bologna manager Thiago Motta
Allegri is alleged to have told him, furiously: ‘S*** editor, write the truth in your newspaper, not what society tells you. Stop playing hustlers with society!’
Vaciago, who claims to have told Allegri to calm down, was then reportedly pushed by the Italian and threatened.
‘I know where to find you,’ Allegri is said to have added. ‘I’ll come, and I’ll rip both your ears out. I’ll come and hit you in the face, write the truth in your newspaper.’
It is claimed a Juventus press officer then intervened by holding the manager back, escorting him away from the editor, before Allegri took part in his post-match press conference, reportedly visibly emotional.
Tuttosport led with the headline, ‘Che brutta fine’ [What a bad end], on Thursday morning. In the report, the outlet has labelled his behaviour ‘vile, intimidating and dangerous’.
However, on Thursday the coach, through his lawyer, gave an official statement to Italian news agency ANSA denying the claims.
‘[Allegri] Completely denies the reported version of events that occurred in the Stadio Olimpico tunnel with the editor of Tuttosport, Guido Vaciago, and specifies that it was simply “a heated, verbal altercation” in the heat of the moment with the editor, during which they both audibly insulted each other.’
The statement added: ‘Any different reconstruction of events is false.’
Tuttosport ran with the headline of ‘What a bad end’ on Thursday morning following Allegri’s fury
Motta has shocked Serie A by taking Bologna up into Champions League consideration with his side currently in third place
Juventus’ new management team posed for a photo following Allegri’s on-field anger
Sky Sport Italia have since confirmed that Allegri’s statement did not come with approval from Juventus, nor was it read by anybody from the senior management before its release to ANSA.
It came after a different alleged outburst on the field, as Juventus were celebrating their cup final win, with Allegri pointing reportedly in the direction of club chiefs and pointing away from the players furiously.
Technical director Cristiano Giuntoli is believed to have been the subject of the outburst, with the chief than posing for pictures with Juventus’ comparatively new management group, including the owner John Elkann.
As such, it is thought that the club could now bring forward plans to axe the long-term Old Lady boss, with under-19s coach Paolo Montero to potentially take over before the end of the season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Montero has already been alerted to the chance he could take the side for Monday’s clash with Bologna which is a curiously pertinent game under the circumstances.
Juventus are thought to have an agreement in place for Bologna boss Thiago Motta to take over from next season, despite Allegri still having a year left on his deal in Turin.
In fact, the report continues to claim that Juventus are exploring whether they have cause for dismissal for just cause, with the manager potentially violating the club’s code of conduct by allegedly crossing the line in such a way.
Motta has stunned Italian football with Bologna, taking the side that has not won the league for 60 years to the verge of Champions League, with his contract running up at the end of the season.
The possibility has been raised that Juventus under-19 coach Paolo Montero could take over
Dusan Vlahovic scored the opener in the fourth minute to guide his Juventus side to a 1-0 win
Allegri has had a hugely successful stint during Juventus’ most successful period in their modern history with five leagues and Italian cup titles, however his furious outburst on the field and alleged actions following the game have now reportedly expedited his departure.
The Old Lady had put in a superb defensive performance in the final to lift the Italian Cup, keeping Atalanta at bay following Dusan Vlahovic’s fourth-minute opener to triumph 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
It was the club’s record-extending 15th title in the competition, but could mark the last of Allegri’s second spell at the helm.