MILAN (AFP) - Struggling Italian Serie A football giants AC Milan sacked coach Massimiliano Allegri on Monday, a day after a 4-3 league defeat by league newcomers Sassuolo.

The seven-time European Cup winners are 11th in Serie A, 30 points behind leaders Juventus and 20 behind Napoli, who occupy the third and last qualifying spot for the Champions League.

A statement on www.acmilan.it said: "AC Milan announces that it has dismissed as coach of the first team, with immediate effect, Mr Massimiliano Allegri and his staff.

"AC Milan would like to thank Mr Allegri and his staff for the work done and wishes them the best professional success. The team will be run on a caretaker basis by Mr Mauro Tassotti."