- Unai Emery is reportedly among the candidates AC Milan have on their wishlist to replace Massimiliano Allegri
- The club sacked the Italian on Monday, publishing a stark statement.
- Emery’s recent comments confirm his total focus on next season with Aston Villa
AC Milan are searching for a replacement for the recently sacked Massimiliano Allegri. Aston Villa’s Unai Emery is reportedly one of many names the Italian side are eyeing up.
After Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Cagliari, Milan dropped to fifth place in the Serie A, failing to qualify for the Champions League. As a result, Milan sacked Allegri on Monday.
I Rossoneri looked likely to finish in the top spots throughout the majority of the season, but their performances declined in the latter stages of the campaign, causing them to finish one point behind Como in fourth.
Despite beginning April inside the top two, they went on a run of two wins in their last eight matches to fall out of the Champions League places. It means they will now compete in the Europa League next season, alongside Juventus.
Milan publish a scathing statement
Following the defeat to Cagliari, Milan quickly acted and published a statement on Monday, sacking four people in one swoop.
“After the disappointment of last year, the mandate ownership set for the club was to return to the Champions League and to establish a foundation for winning consistently at the top of Serie A.
“For the majority of this season, we were in the top two positions in Serie A, with a credible shot at competing for the Scudetto. The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night’s disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure.
“It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations. Effective immediately, we are parting ways with CEO Giorgio Furlani, Sporting Director Igli Tare, Head Coach Massimiliano Allegri and Technical Director Geoffrey Moncada. We thank each one for their hard work and dedication to AC Milan during their respective tenures.
“Further announcements regarding the next appointments will be made in due course – with the goal to be ready and well prepared for the next season.”
As Milan are now searching for a successor, Sky Sport Italia has reported that Unai Emery is one of the names on their list of replacements. Andoni Iraola, Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano and EX-Juventus head coach Thiago Motta are also being eyed.
Emery fully focused on next season
It has been clear since Villa’s Europa League win, and after their 2-1 victory over Manchester City, that Emery has no desire to leave this summer.
Speaking after the triumph at the Etihad, he discussed what his aims are for next season with Villa.
“The first priority next season is the Premier League, then the Champions League, then the other cups,” Emery stated.
“Now we are going to increase our demands, trying to get more trophies and be consistent to get the top seven positions for Europe or the Champions League. This is the challenge and how we want to be demanding – the club and the supporters.”
ReadAstonVilla verdict
Ultimately, Milan’s ambitious pursuit of Emery underscores the magnitude of their rebuilding task, but Villa holds all the leverage. While the Italian side staggers from an unprecedented hierarchy sacking after their Champions League collapse, Emery remains entirely unattainable.
Fresh from silverware and a historic season, the 54-year-old is completely locked into his project at Villa Park. The Villans’ qualification for the Champions League eclipses Milan’s Europa League reality, making a move highly unlikely.
Instead, Emery is already masterminding Villa’s summer recruitment plans to assemble a squad capable of competing at Europe’s highest level consistently.
