CorSport: Eight years of friendship – Allegri to reunite with Cherubini in Parma-Milan

Parma host AC Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini tonight, and a warm embrace is expected between Massimiliano Allegri and Federico Cherubini.

As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanPress) report, the game in Emilia tonight is crucial as Parma and Milan look for valuable points in their battles at the two ends of the table. Among the many sub-plots to the game – in addition to Patrick Cutrone’s presence – will be the meeting between Allegri and Cherubini.

Old acquaintances

Allegri worked extensively with Parma’s current CEO during his time at Juventus, on two different occasions. During Allegri’s first spell at Juventus, Cherubini primarily held a leading role in the youth academy, and it was under him that the Juventus Next Gen project was born in 2018.

Cherubini pioneered the creation of second teams, a project that later won over other Italian clubs including Milan. The idea was to create an intermediary step between first team and the youth sector, with the aim of nurturing talent or helping those recovering from injuries.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

He worked with Allegri from July 2014 until his first term ended in 2019. During Allegri’s second spell in Turin – from 2021 to 2024 – Cherubini served as sporting director, and together they won the Coppa Italia in 2024.

Beyond their professional bond, the two share a long-standing friendship. Allegri and Cherubini have known each other since 1995, when Max was playing for Perugia in Serie A, and their years in Umbria have fostered a lasting bond off the pitch as well.

The two will meet again on the pitch tonight at the Tardini, as opponents, with different goals but always sharing a bond of mutual respect and friendship.