A stunning rumour has emerged in the Italian media: AC Milan manager Max Allegri has been relieved of his duties at the club. And former Rossoneri star, Clarence Seedorf, is the frontrunner to replace him.
Reports suggest that Milan’s vice-president, Adriano Galliani, axed Allegri at a meeting on Tuesday, and that the manager is now negotiating a severance package.
Allegri’s contract with Milan is only set to expire in 2014, but the club’s last-minute qualification for next season’s Champions League has not inspired confidence among the bigwigs at the San Siro.
Asked by the media if he remains in charge of Milan after the meeting on Tuesday, Allegri stormed off without reply.
37-year-old Seedorf is a Milan legend, having spent 10 successful seasons at the San Siro.
Outspoken, articulate and intelligent, Seedorf currently plays at Brazilian club Botafogo. He has never been a manager before, but surely carries the weight of personality and tactical acumen to control a dressing room of star players.
If the rumours are true and former Dutch international Seedorf is Milan’s new manager, he will become the first ever black manager in the Serie A.
Given Italian football’s recent problems with racism, it will be intriguing to see how the nation reacts to a powerful, talented black man in charge of one of its greatest sporting institutions.
