Massimiliano Allegri's position as AC Milan manager, along with the club's ability to retain Luka Modric, is reportedly contingent on securing qualification for next season's Champions League. According to a report from Italy, failure to finish in Serie A's top four would trigger a significant downsizing of the club's sporting project, casting serious doubt on Allegri's continuation and making Modric's departure almost certain.
The alarm bells sounded at Milanello following a damaging 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo, which tightened the race for Champions League places. Milan currently sit third, just two points ahead of fourth-placed Juventus and three ahead of fifth-placed Roma with a handful of games remaining. A collapse in the final stretch, resulting in Europa League football instead of the Champions League, would have severe financial and sporting repercussions for the Rossoneri.
The report states that without the substantial revenue from UEFA's premier club competition, Milan's transfer market firepower would be reduced by an estimated 100 million euros. This scenario would directly contradict the conditions under which Allegri agreed to return to the club, with the understanding he would be backed to build a squad capable of challenging for the Serie A title from his second season onwards. His current contract is set to automatically extend until 2028 if Champions League qualification is achieved; otherwise, it runs only until June 2027.
Further compounding the issue, the club's annual accounts are projected to finish in the red unless a major asset is sold by June 30. The absence of Champions League money next season would exacerbate this financial pressure, potentially forcing the sale of higher-earning stars like Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, and Mike Maignan to balance the books. This diminished appeal and reduced budget would also impact summer transfer targets, with pursuits of players like Leon Goretzka and a top striker such as Alexander Sorloth, Gonçalo Ramos, or Nicolas Jackson becoming far more difficult.
The future of veteran midfielder Luka Modric is directly tied to the club's ambitions. The Croatian, who joined last summer to fulfill a childhood dream, is said to be likely to stay only if he believes the project can compete for trophies. A summer of low-cost investment, necessitated by a lack of Champions League football, would likely see him depart. For Allegri, the prospect of leading a scaled-back project could also see him consider other opportunities, with the report suggesting the Italian national team job could become an attractive alternative.
The stakes for Milan's final matches could not be higher. Missing out on the Champions League would not only represent a sporting failure but would also widen the perceived gap with city rivals Inter, who sealed the Serie A title on the same weekend Milan fell to Sassuolo. The club's entire medium-term strategy, built around Allegri's leadership and a competitive market presence, hinges on securing a top-four finish.
