Report: Ibrahimovic gave Milan duo Leao & Fofana contrasting advice to Allegri

The relationship between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Massimiliano Allegri has deteriorated to the point of a complete breakdown, with the pair understood not to have spoken for some time as internal tensions at Milan continue to bubble to the surface, according to journalist Monica Colombo.

Writing in Corriere della Sera and expanding on her findings in an interview with the Milan Vibes YouTube channel, via MilanNews.it, Colombo painted a picture of a club divided into factions, with results having previously papered over the cracks.

“Everything happening around Milan is rather turbulent,” she said. “The squad environment has inevitably been shaken by the various internal tensions. What is happening is that Milan is splitting into currents, while results were useful, the dust had been swept under the carpet, but old tensions resurfaced at the first opportunity.”

The specifics of the fallout are damaging.

Colombo reports that Ibrahimovic has not been seen in the dressing rooms at San Siro or Milanello for approximately three months, and that no face-to-face meeting between the two men has taken place to resolve the situation. “In this moment the two are not speaking and continuing this way is not possible,” she said.

The immediate trigger was a disagreement over the choice of third goalkeeper for next season, though Colombo was clear this was merely a pretext.

More seriously, Allegri is understood to have been angered upon learning of contacts between Ibrahimovic and players Rafael Leão and Youssouf Fofana, in which the Swede reportedly gave them tactical advice that contradicted the coach’s own instructions in training.

News of Ibrahimovic’s contacts with Antonio Cassano is also said to have done little to ease the atmosphere.