AC Milan fires Allegri and CEO Furlani for 'unequivocal failure' of a season

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan fired coach Massimiliano Allegri and CEO Giorgio Furlani on Monday after what it deemed “an unequivocal failure” of a season.

The team's U.S. owner, RedBird, cleaned house a day after Milan missed out on a Champions League berth by one point after blowing a 1-0 lead and losing at home to also-ran Cagliari 2-1. The Rossoneri were booed off the field by their own fans.

Milan spent much of Serie A in the top two positions and fighting for the title but a run of only two wins in its last eight matches dropped it to fifth on Sunday, the last day of the season.

“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,” RedBird said in a statement.

“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.”

RedBird kept only special adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Allegri returned to Milan last year tasked with taking the Rossoneri back to the Champions League after the team finished eighth in Serie A the previous season. Allegri oversaw 42 matches resulting in 22 victories, 10 draws and 10 defeats.

RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale is now expected to work closely with Ibrahimovic to restructure the club, including choosing a coach, CEO and sporting director.

"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," the statement concluded.

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AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers reacts at the end of the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, right, reacts with his teammate Niclas Fuellkrug at the end the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, left, reacts with his teammates Strahinja Pavlovic, center, and Zachary Athekame at the end of the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's head coach Massimiliano Allegri gives instructions during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's head coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets star Juan Soto was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day Monday because he was sick.

Manager Carlos Mendoza was unsure whether Soto would be available off the bench against the Cincinnati Reds.

“He developed fever again last night. Still weak,” Mendoza said.

Soto was scratched Sunday, when the Mets lost 4-0 at Miami as the Marlins completed a three-game sweep that dropped New York to 22-31, last in the NL East.

Soto is hitting .294 with 10 homers, 21 RBIs and a .949 OPS is his second season after signing a record $765 million, 15-year contract.

New York's batting order already was without shortstop Francisco Lindor (strained left calf), catcher Francisco Alvarez (surgery to repair a torn right meniscus in his right knee), designated hitter/first baseman Jorge Polanco (bruised right wrist) and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (lumbar spine disk herniation).

Lindor, sidelined since April 22, has started running and hitting indoors and will soon start fielding grounders, according to Mendoza.

“It’s hard to put a timetable,” Mendoza said. “He’s still got to go through a lot — he’s got to check a lot boxes still.”

Infielder Jared Young, who last played April 12 because of a torn left meniscus, could be activated Tuesday. He hit .227 with one RBI over 22 at-bats in six minor league games since May 15.

Left-hander A.J. Minter, returning from surgery on May 12 last year to repair his left lat muscle, was to go through a throwing progression Monday and could be activated Tuesday or Wednesday. The 32-year-old has a 1.59 ERA in 12 minor league outings since April 7, striking out seven and walking one in 11 1/3 innings.

“Every time you miss that much time, mentally, it’s a grind,” Mendoza said. “He's a big part of our bullpen.”

Polanco, who last played April 14, was to work out Monday in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and could start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment this week.

Alvarez, who got hurt on May 12, could be back sooner than the original six-to-eight-week projection.

“He’s already hitting. He’s already doing catching,” Mendoza said.

Right-hander Kodai Senga, who last pitched for the Mets on April 22 because of lumbar spine inflammation, was to throw a bullpen Monday and will make a second minor league rehab start Thursday. He allowed two runs, four hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings for Class A St. Lucie on Friday, throwing 37 of 64 pitches for strikes.

Banged up New York also is missing right-hander Clay Holmes, out until late in the season because of a broken right leg.

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New York Mets' Juan Soto sits in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

New York Mets' Juan Soto runs on a ground out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)