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NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 06: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Massimiliano Allegri paid tribute to his mentor, Giovanni Galeone, at an event on Thursday, becoming so emotional that he could not hold back tears during his speech.
Former Milan coach Allegri broke down in tears on Thursday during an event held in Pescara to honour ex-coach Galeone, who had died on November 2, 2025, aged 84.
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Galeone was a former coach of Allegri and a mentor of the Italian tactician.
Galeone coached Allegri for many years as the pair worked together at Pescara from 1987 to 1991, at Perugia in 1991-92, and at Napoli in 1997-98.
Allegri is now expected to return to Napoli, having reached an agreement with the Partenopei over a two-year deal, days after being sacked by Milan.
“The coach’s defining characteristic was undoubtedly that he was a pioneer, ahead of everyone else,” Allegri said viaGazzetta.
“The things he was saying 30 or 40 years ago are still valid today and, in some ways, still innovative.
“Not taking yourself too seriously, but taking things very seriously. That’s another lesson I’ve carried with me and hope never to lose.
“The more reasonable and wiser you become, the more you risk losing some of the fearlessness he always had right up to his final day,” Allegri concluded.
“I last saw him in Udine last year. Even there, he was smiling, always ready with the right words. And I believe that, from wherever he’s watching us, he can surely see just how much this city loves him.”
Video: Allegri gets emotional for Galeone
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
