Milan appoint Massimiliano Allegri as new coach

The 42-year-old has signed a two-year contract and replaces Leonardo who left by mutual consent at the end of last season.

His appointment draws the curtains on an ugly dispute with former club Cagliari who played hardball in negotiations with Milan.

Cagliari President Massimo Cellino fired Allegri in April after he became ‘distracted’ by interest from Italy’s biggest clubs.

Like most dismissals in Serie A, Allegri actually remained on Cagliari’s payroll and extricating him from his contract proved difficult for Milan.

Allegri is already thought to have drawn up a strategy with Milan ahead of next season.