Allegri takes charge at Milan

AC Milan have appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach until 2012, the 42-year-old former Cagliari Calcio trainer stepping in to fill the void left by Leonardo's departure at the end of last season.

Allegri took over at Cagliari in summer 2008 and, after starting his first top-flight season with five consecutive defeats, led the Sardinian side to a seventh-place finish. He won the Panchina d'Oro award as best coach in Serie A that term, but was replaced with five games remaining last season following a run of seven defeats in nine matches.

Prior to joining Cagliari, Allegri had gained experience in the lower leagues with US Grosseto FC and US Sassuolo Calcio. During an 18-year-playing career, Allegri counted AS Livorno Calcio, AC Perugia, Cagliari and SSC Napoli among his many clubs before retiring in 2003 at Aglianese Calcio 1923 and taking up a coaching position there the following year.

Allegri is the first Milan coach who has not also played for the club since Fatih Terim's brief tenure in 2001. Leonardo took charge of the Rossoneri following Carlo Ancelotti's departure to Chelsea FC last summer and led the seven-time European Champion Clubs' Cup winners to third place and a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage.