Serial Scudetto winners Massimiliano Allegri and José Mourinho were sacked by Juventus and Roma this season, and their departures have common traits.
A year ago, few would have thought both Allegri and Mourinho would not even make it to the end of the season with Juventus and Roma. Mourinho’s stay in the capital had always been in doubt, with a contract expiring in June 2024 and no signs of Roma wanting to extend. Yet, his sacking in the middle of the campaign was a surprise to many.
On the other hand, Allegri had a year left in his contract with the Old Lady. Even if his breakdown in the Coppa Italia Final formally cost him the job, Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli had already decided to part company with the Italian tactician at the end of the season as highlighted by football odds from BetBrain.
Allegri and Mourinho certainly felt betrayed, but it’s not the only thing they have in common while their agents look for new clubs.
Not all players at Juventus and Roma were happy with the management of their previous coaches, and the two clubs’ projects ultimately didn’t suit the Italian and Portuguese.
Once accustomed to coaching the best players in the world, Juventus and Roma had different plans for them this time. Both projects were – and still are – based on sustainability, cheap signings and the development of young players. Allegri and Mou partially accomplished their mission. Max won the Coppa Italia and secured a Champions League placement; Mou obtained stunning results in Europe, with two finals in two years, but the Giallorossi were never credible top-four contenders during his tenure.
So, what didn’t work for them in the previous campaign? Surely, Allegri and Mourinho’s departures must give both coaches food for thought.
By the look of it, ‘speculative football’ as Arrigo Sacchi calls it, no longer pays off. Italian clubs can no longer rely on the big champions of the past. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior and the biggest stars on earth play far away from Serie A. There are still big players in the Italian league, but the lack of footballers who can win games single-handedly means Italian teams must rely on ideas, innovation and and a modern playing style.
Simone Inzaghi and Inter have been evolving hand in hand over the last three years, Stefano Pioli reached remarkable results at Milan despite finishing the last two seasons empty-handed. Bologna and Atalanta have been playing exciting football and made history this season despite a reduced transfer budget.
It’s no coincidence that Juventus picked the most surprising coach of 2023-24, Thiago Motta, to start a new project from 2024-25 and that Milan will rely on Paulo Fonseca, who surprisingly fought for a Champions League placement in the Ligue 1 with an entertaining and modern playing style at Lille.
It is improbable that Mourinho and Allegri will change the way they see football, on the contrary, they’d need teams with established players to show that they are still capable of making it. Time will tell if Max and Mou will once again have a place in the league one day.