Galliani ´feels sorry´ for Allegri

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani admits he sympathises with sacked head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The 46-year-old endured a torrid season in Serie A with Milan winning just five of their 19 league matches thus far, a return that leaves the club languishing in 11th place, well off the pace for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Allegri – who had previously announced his intention to depart San Siro at the end of the season – was relieved of his duties on Monday following Sunday’s shock 4-3 defeat at Sassuolo.

The former Cagliari boss took the reins at Milan in 2010 and guided the side to the league title in 2011.

Having lost their crown to Juventus the following season, Milan endured a difficult campaign last year and needed a late resurgence to ensure Champions League football.

But Milan failed to carry that form forward and Allegri paid the price, with Galliani admitting it was a tough decision on a personal level.

“I feel very sorry for Allegri,” he told Sky Sports Italia. “Especially for how the situation has evolved on a human level.

“But this is football.”

Milan begin life without Allegri in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia encounter with Spezia, with former assistant Mauro Tassotti set to take temporary control of first-team affairs.