Tensions between Bonucci and Allegri culminated with Juventus’ decision

Tensions between Massimiliano Allegri and Leonardo Bonucci started in 2017 and culminated with Juventus‘ decision to exclude the veteran defender from their project, forcing him to search for a new club this summer.

Bonucci was famously excluded from a Champions League Round of 16 clash against Porto in 2017 after an argument with Allegri in the previous home Serie A game against Palermo.

As highlighted by Gazzetta, the defender had urged Allegri to replace Claudio Marchisio and let him rest before the match with Porto, but Max replied harshly telling him ‘shut up, di**head.’

The image of Bonucci watching the game at the Estadio Do Dragao sitting on a stool became viral, symbolising tensions between Max and Bonucci.
The defender left the club at the end of that season, joining Milan. He spent just one year at San Siro, returning to Turin in 2018, but he never really fixed his relationship with the coach.

Allegri was sacked by Juventus in 2019, but when he returned two years later he refused to name Bonucci as the vice-captain given that Paulo Dybala had spent more consecutive years at the club. If Bonucci wants it [the captain’s armband] he can go and buy it in the street, the coach said at a press conference, taunting the Italy international.

Bonucci struggled with playing time in 2022-23 and showed frustration during an interview at the end of last season saying Juventus had not been up to the task over the previous two seasons following Allegri’s return. Now Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna have told Bonucci that they no longer count on him for next season, but the decision has been shared with Allegri.