Juventus set to sack Allegri, Capello: ‘A sad end, but he deserves respect’ | OneFootball

Former Juventus coach Fabio Capello feels ‘sad’ for Massimiliano Allegri and insists the Italian tactician ‘deserves respect’ for what he has achieved in his career.

Allegri is on the verge of being sacked by Juventus with two Serie A games remaining this season.

The Italian tactician raged at club directors, referees and journalists on Wednesday night, after a 1-0 win over Atalanta in the Coppa Italia Final, and the club could fire him today for just cause.

Capello explained Allegri’s reaction in his latest interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The numbers are important, and the numbers show that Juventus had won nothing for three years and that they’ve lifted a cup again with Massimiliano Allegri,” said the ex-Juventus, Roma and Milan coach.

“I was surprised [by Allegri’s reaction because I don’t think it’s anger coming from competitiveness. There is more behind it.

“When you feel that the air around you has changed, it’s not easy to continue and pretend it’s all normal. You hope rumours are just rumours until you realise it was all true. So when you have a cup in your hands, the pride emerges.”

Is this how Allegri lost his cool at the Olimpico?

“I think so. He has won a cup with two trophies at his disposal [this season],” argued Capello.

“Juventus didn’t play in Europe even if Allegri had led the team to the Champions League by finishing third a year ago. The only thing he could have done more was to win the title, but the team was not equipped to fight with Inter. Juventus have a good team but are inferior to Inter and Milan.”

So, what didn’t work for him in his second spell at the club?

“Perhaps, only winning a trophy in three years,” said Capello.

“Expectations at Juventus are very high. That being said, the club has decided to change a year before the end of his contract, so it’s evident that there are other factors. I think Juventus have taken a different direction since Giuntoli’s appointment. Cycles end for these reasons as well.”

Capello insisted that Allegri should have been treated differently by fans and media over the last few years.

“He was criticised also when he won titles and accused of not playing well,” he said.

“Allegri deserves respect; his career speaks for itself.”

Lastly, Capello admitted that the end of the story between Allegri and Juventus is said and that the Serie A giants usually don’t sack their coaches before the end of a campaign.

“I’m not going to discuss the details; I’ll just say that it’d be a very sad end to the story. Sacking a coach before the end of the season is not part of Juventus’ history,” he concluded.