Massimiliano Allegri distances himself from the Italy national football team job, prioritising AC Milan’s bid for a UEFA Champions League return.
Massimiliano Allegri has played down speculation linking him with the vacant Italy national football team role, insisting his full attention remains on guiding AC Milan back into the UEFA Champions League.
The national team position became available after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down following Italy’s World Cup playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The setback marked a third consecutive failure to qualify for the tournament and also led to the resignation of federation chief Gabriele Gravina.
🚨🇮🇹 Gennaro Gattuso, set to part ways with Italian Federation and ready to leave his role as Italy head coach.
Decision made as reported yesterday with formal steps next, as Sky reports. It’s over between Gattuso and Italy. ❌👋🏼
The process to appoint new coach has started. pic.twitter.com/XVIxYDitft
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2026
Questions about Italy’s future and Allegri’s own prospects dominated his press conference ahead of Milan’s Serie A clash with Napoli. The coach acknowledged the disappointment but urged a long-term approach to rebuilding Italian football.
Allegri said the failure to qualify should be viewed as an opportunity for growth, stressing that decisions about structural changes should be handled by the relevant authorities. He emphasised the need for a strategic vision that spans the next decade.
The 58-year-old returned to the AC Milan bench last season after previously winning the Scudetto with the club. In his first campaign back, AC Milan currently sit second in the table, six points behind Inter Milan and narrowly ahead of Napoli.
When asked directly about the Italy job, Allegri reiterated his commitment to Milan. He said his priority is finishing the season strongly and securing Champions League qualification, adding that he hopes to remain at the club for a long time.
Allegri also joked about his cautious wording regarding his future, noting that football is unpredictable. He maintained that the immediate objective is to reach the Champions League before considering any other possibilities.
With eight matches remaining, Milan hold a nine-point cushion over fifth-placed Juventus. A top-four finish would secure a return to Europe’s elite competition and strengthen Allegri’s position as he continues focusing on the Rossoneri’s campaign.
