AC Milan appoint Massimiliano Allegri as coach

[The Somalian]

Massimiliano Allegri has been named as the new coach of AC Milan.

The former Cagliari boss has signed a two-year contract at the San Siro and replaces Leonardo, who parted company with the club after only one season.

Allegri, 42, has long been recognised as the Rossoneri's first choice to take over the reins.

But the Serie A giants were forced to wait to complete a deal while he negotiated the termination of his contract with Cagliari.

Allegri led Cagliari to ninth and 12th place finishes in Serie A in his two seasons in charge.

His achievements were recognised by other managers who voted for him to be awarded the Panchina d'Oro (Golden bench) prize as the best Serie A boss in both campaigns.

Milan suffered a difficult season last term, as Leonardo struggled to improve an ageing team and the Brazilian could guide them to only third in the league - a competition they have not won since 2004.

They were also unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Manchester United, thrashed 7-2 over two legs in the round of 16.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8762435.stm