ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - AC MILAN - Coaching Carousel Strikes Milan

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/04/2010

If there's one thing an elite club needs, it's stability in the head coaching position. I've never understood sacking a coach midway through the season. Unless the squad is seriously underperforming or there is legitimate turmoil between the coach/player, doesn't switching tactics halfway through just disorganize the team and set them back to step 1?

A team like Chelsea has had four different coaches in the past four years on the search for the metaphorical Holy Grail known as the Champions League trophy. Owners that are salivating at the mouth for silverware utter the phrase "you're fired" more than Donald Trump in The Apprentice.

Milan had one of the longest tenured coaches in the Serie A. In 8 years, Carlo Ancelotti guided the team to a treble of Champions League trophies, and yet was questioned mercilessly for suspect tactical decisions. He was infamous for putting in the balding ageless wonder Emerson for a striker as soon as Milan would take a lead against Insert Provincial Side Here, which would subsequently lead to an equalizing goal, infuriating fans who asked for Ancelotti's head.

Carletto Sparks Up A Victory Cigarette ©AP

What's my point in all this? Unfortunately our undeniable passion leads to very short term memory. Ancelotti accomplished more in a few years than most coaches will in their entire careers, yet most of us were jubilant upon his dismissal, eager to see what Leonardo's youthful mind could conjure up.

Well, we won't be able to see Leonardo doing his signature pose where he covers his mouth with two fingers on the sidelines anymore. He has decided to go back to his native Brazil to spend more time with his family. I always liked Leonardo. From the moment he took charge, he made it clear he'd model the team after old Seleção sides: Leonardo wanted speedy offensive full backs with no discernible defensive skills whatsoever. Well, Antonini & Abate filled that roll perfectly. When half the defence is employed by players who suited up for Torino and Empoli, and another who is 68 years old, what success can you expect on the European stage?

Leonardo employed some questionable tactics, to say the least. You'd probably have better luck sticking a fire hydrant at center back alongside Thiago Silva than Massimo Oddo. At least the fire hydrant wouldn't play a part in assisting the other team. In this situation, give Albertazzi a run so he gains valuable experience. Also, shifting Ambrosini to central defence in the most important game of the season (second leg of MU-Milan) aided in the total collapse of the backline. Somewhere at coaching school, there must be a disclaimer that reads: Do not place a player in a position he has never played before in his career in a pivotal Champions League fixture.

However, Leonardo was also very, very unlucky. His major stars went down with injuries, and he has recently clashed heads with the owner, prompting Leo to deliver this tidbit about Berlusconi.

I cannot deny that our relationship is a difficult one. We are very different. Maybe we are incompatible

The question now is: who will step in to steer Milan in right direction. Many Milanista's feel that with Berlusconi in charge, they cannot seriously compete for any silverware. Now the debate rages on about Leonardo's successor. Will it be Milan's assistant coach Filippo Galli? Van Basten? Or perhaps the highly rated ex-Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri. The next few months will be interesting, if not disappointing ones, for faithful Milanistas.

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Comments

Posted by Jason on 05/04/2010

So Silvio is putting the blame on Leo? I'm pretty sure Carlo equaled our current table position last year. Now look what he's doing at Chelsea. The coach isn't the problem. It's Silvio. Leo does have bad luck. He coached a team with a depleted roster and a president unwilling to revamp it. Though, how lucky are we that if we fire our coach, he just goes on to be the Brazil National Team coach? We have a jewel in Leo, a cheap jewel to put in way's Silvio would understand, and it's a shame this has to happen. Also, a Brazilian coach was a great tool to keep Pato from Carlo. What now?

Posted by JClancy on 05/05/2010

I liked Leo throughout the season. Many of the tough times cannot be blamed on Leo. When you coach a team with a decent starting 11 with no depth on the bench whatsoever, and 2 of your 3 best players are injured for extended periods of time, I'd like to see any coach do better than with that than what Leo did. However, stubbornness, and questionable tactics the last few weeks gave me second thoughts about him. Oddo is a terrible RB, what makes you think he would be better at CB? Albertazzi was sitting on the bench, heck I'd rather see Daniel Maldini playing CB than see Oddo there again. We have the best primavera team in Italy. Why not play some of those guys instead of the decomposing corpses that play every week? Why not play Verdi, Adiyiah, or Zigoni instead of Huntelaar? Even Abate on the wing would be better.

Leo did well for this year. But the last couple games have showed his stubborn tactics. Can he lead us back to Champions league Glory?

No. Bring on someone new.

Posted by SUCKKY on 05/05/2010

Mr.MATTEO,GOOD ARTICLE.I HAVE PREFERRED LEONARDO THOROUGH OUT THE SEASON.HIS ATTACKING STYLE IS OFTEN PERFECT.BUT AS HE IS INEXPERIENCE IN HEAD-COACHING WE HAVE SEEN SOME ERROR TACTICS IN HIS COACHING.IN INTER GAME HE GROUNDED MANCINI.IT IS UNTHINKABLE.BUT BUT ABOVE ALL HE IS GOOD.HIS MASTERMINDED TACTICS FORCED R.MADRID TO BITE THE DUST IN BERNABEU .SO WHATS THE PROBLEM?THE PROBLEM IS MR.MILAN PRESIDENT HIMSELF.HE HAS SAID,MILAN HAVE NEVER LOOK CREATIVE THOROUGH OUT THE SEASON.IS HE JOKING?MILAN IS THE BEST ATTACKING SIDE IN ITALY.NOW WHO WILL BE MILAN`S NEXT COACH?I THINK KLINSMAN IS PERFECT.HE LED GERMANY IN WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL.HE HAS ALL THE QUALITIES TO COACH MILAN.HE CAN HELP MILAN TO RETRIEVE THE LOST GLORY.

Posted by Hari narayanan, Chennai, India on 05/05/2010

We really cant blame leo for this( atleast, not entirely). We dont have squad depth. when our best attacker( pato ), best defender( nesta ) go out for half a season and our best midfield player ( pirlo ) playing as if he is 40 years old, not many would have done what leo has done for us.

But lets face it. leo s tactical setup and his dreams of the 1982 brazil team is not going to suit milan. we just dont have enough quality for that. also, milan have been playing like an individual team, i have not seen many goals that has conme out of a team move. its always a piece of individual brilliance( read ronaldinho's brilliance).

Upfront, we have pretty good quality. if only we play more like a team, we should be doing much better agaisnt the big teams. Too much reliance on Ronaldinho makes us flop when he flops. A team effort would surely result in players like huntelaar, who cant conjure much on his own to score more goals.

Posted by Roslan on 05/05/2010

We should look at Frank Rijkard if Van Basten is not available.

Posted by atalefman on 05/05/2010

Blaming Leonardo for Milan's performance? Give me a break. The squad is full of old geezers. Leonardo did his best, bringing a spirit of enthusiasm and optimism which kept the team in the top four of the Calcio. I'd like to see any other coach outdo Leonardo with the same impoverished squad he had at his disposal. If AC Milan does not invest next year in purchasing new younger players or form their players in their own schools, they will not even finish in the top four in the Italian league. Mark my words. Berlusconi should stick to politics. Doesn't he have a country to run? Oh, I forgot, he's doing a pathetic job there too.

Posted by Lorenzo on 05/05/2010

I believe that the real problem for Leonardo is that he was a milan player, way too recently. alot of the players he coaches are his friends and colleagues, it must be awkward to suddenly be the boss. so he was kind of forced to give his mates favalli and oddo a chance etc etc. at no point did he show he was dedicated to rejuvanating the team. fillipo galli is the man for me. success comes in cycles and milan is facing a poor cycle, no superstars will be coming this summer and galli won our only trophy this year. if anyone gives verdi and albertazzi a chance its him. oh before i forget. sell pato, these brazillians peak too young, this one particular is a constant injury problem. sell him next christmas if he does well for the first half or next summer. just dont keep him until he becomes a hugely overpaid player hobbling up and down the pitch.

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/05/2010

Lorenzo:

Huge typo there, can't believe I let that one slip by. I don't think he was forced at all to give Oddo and Favalli a chance. When everyone is healthy, he prefers the younger fullbacks. Favalli only played when Nesta went down to injury. The two centerbacks in the pecking order behind Nesta (Bonera/Onyewu) have also been injured throughout the season.

Posted by RG on 05/05/2010

Leonardo showed some inexperience in the way he faced ManU and Inter. But the squad he is given has very few defensive pieces so even then he is not entirely to blame for fielding a team very vulnerable to counters. Plying Brazil 1982 style or whatever other attacking style against 'weaker' sides is and never should be a problem.

Posted by Tony on 05/05/2010

I am an Inter Fan, LEanordo has very goo coaching tactics, but he is a little unexperienced when it comes to coaching against Europes best sides. I think the stage is perfet for Frank Rijard to return to the San Siro.

Posted by rawr on 05/05/2010

Leonardo has achieved way beyond reasonable expectation for Milan. Coaching this aging, depleted squad was a very difficult task. 3rd place finishing is a very flattering result.

I don't agree that Leo is unlucky. The Milan squad was so razor thin in depth that injury to any key player (Nesta, Pato) would make Milan impossible to compete for top spot, and injury is bound to happen to such old squad.

The only grudge I have against Leo is his reluctance to use younger players. Even when he was out of alternatives, he'd rather stick with old players to very poor effect. Oddo at CB? Come on. Abate wasn't a great RB but he could have been a threat with his pace down the flank. Instead Milan got Mancini in the winter to do nothing. Are the younger players so terrible that they cannot have a go, even when regulars are playing really poorly? This sends a bad message to the youngsters, and damages the team in a long run. Didn't we learn something from Gourcuff?

Posted by shiok on 05/05/2010

Why do you have to say "four different coaches"? Will people misunderstand that the 4 coaches are the same person if you did not?

Posted by Domenico on 05/05/2010

Solid article. I like Leo; however, he hasn't paid his dues as a coach. Ex-players need to work their way up the coaching ranks getting the necessary experience to be a great coach. The examples in the article show the need for this. You can't outrun it. Even if the quality of a side covers up the lack of coaching experience, eventually you will run into a side that has equal or better quality and an experienced coach. Barca, meet Inter. Milan needs to commit to a solid coach for 5 years and build the new 'core' players who will be around for the next 8 years or so. This doesn't mean buying expensive famous players. It means finding the next Gattuso, Pirlo, Sheva, Dida, etc.

Posted by Josias Goh on 05/06/2010

I'm really upset at Milan. It is true we should use more of our youngsters and selling off all the old people, including Ronaldinho. Whenever I watch him play, he will just get to the ground easily and not chase back for the ball, sometimes even leading to goals. Abate is not bad, but he is not really that good to play in Milan. Sign some younger players so we can win some trophy next season

Posted by Desilolla on 05/06/2010

" I cannot deny that our relationship is a difficult one. We are very different. Maybe we are incompatible " So mr. Bonetti you were there when Leonardo gave this statement? You heard him qoute this? All this is peace of crap. If Silvio doesn't need or want Leo then Leo would've been sacked and sent to Brazil several months ago. Milan fans are all crybabies, just needs a person of some people to blame their crappie performance. Why can’t you people just realize and admit that Milan aren’t good enough. To blame Silvio for every misery is simply cowardly and wrong. Milan had funds and money last year, but you stupid people wasted it on Mr. Invisible Huntelaar. Instead you could use the money on Cissoko and atleast have a decent full-back. You people had Senderos but opted to use Mr. “Grandpa” Favalli, Mr. “Stupido” Bonnera, , Mr. “Im ALWAYS injured and should’ve opted to be a doctor cuz I’m always at the hospital” Nesta,

continues ->

Posted by Desilolla on 05/06/2010

Continues

Mr. “I don’t know how I became a footballer cuz I REALLY suck” Zambrotta and Mr. “I like to assist the opponent” Oddo. You people have Flamini but instead you use Mr. “Slowmotion, I’m actually a balledancer who hits 1 of 1000 freekicks and overrated as hell” Pirlo, Mr. “Im just goodlooking and can live as a model or an actor for the next 10years” Beckham and Mr. “ I’m so crazy that I hurt myself and I can’t actually hit a 2feet pass and I’ve never ever scored a goal despite R80 hundred open goal assists” Gattuso. So instead of getting a young talent you bring a burned out player who haven’t played regulary for almost 2years(Mancini). To sack Leo is wrong, to blame Silvio is wrong, so I recommend to sack all the useless players and start from scratch, with or without Silvios money. As mentioned before as long as the Special One is at Inter, no one will win the Seria A except Inter.

Dinho 4ever.

Posted by Ernest, Accra - Ghana on 05/06/2010

I have a simple analogy to this drama.Berlusconi has done great for this club without doubt.Five champions league titles from 1989,almost ten scudetti, five coppa italia, four super cups and four world club cups etc. Galliani has paid his dues but maybe it is time to consider the thoughts of the followers.i suffer anytime Milan is humiliated either at home or abroad and i am sure every Milanista feels same. Anytime Berlusconi becomes Italy PM, Milan suffers and as Italy's longest serving PM, Milan has suffered more. Check 1994 to 1995 when he was first elected PM and that marked the end of a golden era for Milan for the greatest players and team ever at club level. We could not buy players to fill the void left by these great stars because of conflict of interest. With suspicion of corruption by Berlusconi,investing in Milan would have raised eyebrows and similar things happened in 2006 and now.I agree that things must change and that begins with the Don reducing interference please.E

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/06/2010

Desilolla:

No, I was not there. But dozens of reporters were. Leonardo was quoted in a very legitimate Italian website known as the Gazzetta. One quick look around the Internet and you'll see many sites offering the same translation.

The mini-feuds between Berlusconi and Leonardo have been well documented. So before jumping to conclusions and dubbing something you don't agree with a piece of crap, do some simple research on the subject.

Also, one quick look at my previous articles and you'll see that I'm very stern on the situation of Milan players. I've written about the woes of the current roster throughout the season. Once again, simple research will show you this.

Posted by mjay on 05/06/2010

People asking for berlusconi and galliani´s head are you NUTS. Under their guidance Milan won 5 champions league, 10 serie A titles, european supercups, club world cup, and many others. They probably spent less in their time in milan than Roman Abramovich has spent in chelsea in 5 years. Every team has cicles and is not possible for a team to be on top for many years. Not so long ago (2007) we won the champions league.
I do agree that we need a younger players and that letting leonardo go might be a big mistake, just as big as firing ancelotti. I am sure if leonardo was to stay in charge of milan next season players like zigoni, verdi, strasser would have their chances in the first team. I was very sad, to say the least, to hear that we signed mario yepes and negotiating david trezeguet...we need players like dzeko, vidic

Posted by Desilolla on 05/06/2010

haha Gazzetta claimed that Frank Lampard signed Inter in 2008, Ronaldinho signed for City and Sergio Ramos signed for ManU..they are not trustworthy. Secondly, have u heard about Calciopoli?? I will never ever trust Italian media nor the Italian Football Federation. Simply cuz they're corrupt.

Posted by punditguy on 05/06/2010

It would be sad to see Leo go. I liked him a lot and his tactics. I honestly thought he did well given the situation and limited depth of the team. Give him some $$$ and allow him to build a side and he'll do wonders!

But unfortunately that cannot happen because of Mr. Bullerscon.... tsk tsk.

However i would really really REALLY like to see Frank Rikaard at the helm. That would be interesting. But these at Milan, dreams just dont seem to come through..... SIGH....................................

Posted by punditguy on 05/06/2010

@ Desilolla

Chill out guy...you come here on this forum shooting your gun with out even knowing anything. Matteo has ALWAYS criticize this Milan squad. You are right about some of the things. Especially d part about Pirlo and Beckham, that was funny. I rolled of my chair laughing.

I've been reading his articles about a year now and not once has he ever been biased. He has always been truthful and REAL about every situation which arise from Milan.

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/06/2010

mjay:

While the facts show that Milan has won everything under the current owner, times are different now.

We cannot keep living in the past. If Milan does not improve, we will have an Inter-esque drought for decades.

There was a time when Berlusconi purchased nearly anyone. Times change. It seems he is running Milan now strictly as a business - settling his debt. Plus, how much can he spend when he is running a country on the side? Wouldn't it look bad when a Prime Minister pours millions on a sport when the country has some glaring needs?

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/06/2010

punditguy:

Appreciate your constant comments throughout the last year.

Desilolla:

Gazzetta did not claim Inter signed Lampard. They hinted at the possibility. A claim would be saying: "Lampard Signs for Inter." A legitimate rumor says: "Inter close to signing Lampard/Lampard linked with Inter". Does not make it a claim though. Gazzetta has some very credible information. It is one of the leading sports sites in Italy.

Posted by D on 05/07/2010

Matteo - don't waste your energy responding to that JA (donkey) known as Desilolla. Not worth it.

I agree it doesn't make sense for Mr. B to pour millions into the club based off current economic times. UEFA needs to look harder at something that was floated out there a while back - penanlties against clubs related to Europe competitions based off of debt.

04.21.10 Forbes report: AC is ranked 7th in value (top 20 clubs ranked). In debt/value ratio AC is ranked 2nd. It's this type of fiscal responsibility that will keep the club going long term. As a comparison the 2nd most valuable club Real is ranked 20th in debt/value. Over half their value is cancelled out by debt. No way to run a club. With all due respect to LaLiga that's been essentially a two horse race for the last 30 years (only like 4 times since '85 was the winner not RM or Barca). It's been almost 10 years since RM won CL hardware.

Posted by D on 05/07/2010

With a lot of the youth buys the last few seasons I think Gal is positioning this club to look very sharp in about 5 years.

Everyone remains excited about the Primavera's performances. Adiyiah was a good buy. Petkovic sounds like he could be the GK of the future for the club, he's only 15 now. Astori's only 23. Darmian's 21. If Paloschi comes back (20). Everyone's already screaming for Albertazzi to play. The list goes on. Didn't even mention Pato at 21.

I'm already on record as supporting selling most of the current squad - particularly Dinho. I'd even sell Pato if the money was reinvested into Dzeko (24) and Bonnuci (23).

As far as Leo - good guy, did a heck of a job with what he had. But not ready for a big club yet. Should've cut his teeth on a smaller club before taking the reins at Milan.

Posted by Desilolla on 05/07/2010

First of all my comments are not meant to provoke. I've much respect for Mr. Bonetti and like his articles.

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/07/2010

Milan is a well run soccer business according to those statistics.

We need two more elite pieces. Galliani has mentioned the budget won't go over 20m. That's not enough. Dzeko is worth well over 30 (overpriced). The bundesliga defenses are very, very suspect. I'm convinced Borriello could score 30 goals a season there as well. Honestly is central defense really a glaring need? Next year we'll have Nesta, T.Silva, Bonera, Yepes, Onyewu.

The true emergency lies at fullback.

Posted by Milan 1963 on 05/08/2010

Some comments here are very true, I believe Ernest from Ghana has nailed one of the key points here, as long as Berlusca will be involved with politics Milan will suffer. We need SB to stop is BS with politics and go back to look after the team and get more involved.

Leonardo was great at sourcing some of the best players we ever had, but so were Galliani and Braida when they had the backing of the president (Van Basten, Gullit, Rijkard, Sheva, Nesta to name a few).

As a coach Leonardo has brought enthusiasm and spectacular offensive football, he has revived Dinho who had a fantastic season, but on the other hand his tactics have been suicidal against younger and fitter teams. You can not defend properly with only 3 midfielders of which only one is defending. I agree with all those who say that he should have tried younger players from the primavera when key players were missing. Sometimes his stubborness is irritating and if he does not do it now when will he be able to do it.

Posted by milan 1963 on 05/08/2010

continues...

However it is also true that with the team he was given, he made miracles. If he leaves Milan that would really be a shame, but if it must be than I would like to see someone like Van Basten or Rijkard taking over, Filippo Galli is doing a great job with the Primavera and he could also be a good solution, after all Milan should remain to the Milanisti.

Posted by Indra Santosa on 05/08/2010

I am an Inter fan and I can remember a time when Inter just could not win the Milan Derby even when they had Vieri and Seedorf (in his younger days) in their Squad. So what has happened since then?? A cycle.. my friends.... NOW IT IS INTER TIME, and we have waited and suffered too long for it to arrive - finally.
Nah.... I am NOT sad with Milan's situation... I think it is COOL to see them playing second to Inter for ... say the next decade or so... FORZA INTER!!!

Posted by stoneking` on 05/09/2010

Leonardo has been a decent coach. The reason behind his perceived failings is not so much his tactics, but his team. The 2007 champion's league win was the last burst from a team of ageing superstars. sadly, milan's team reads like a who's who of former greats ( but now way past their prime)

in the glory days milan had sheva at his peak, rivaldo, a young(er) inzaghi, kaka, and pirlo in his prime. now we have pato +/- ronaldhino along with a bunch of guys that should be playing in the middle east/USA

the thing milan needs now is youth, energy, and a midfield general that isnt the wrong side of 30. oh, and possibly a golden handshake for dear pippo

Posted by D on 05/09/2010

Just a few more thoughts then:

Desilolla - appreacite you coming back and saying what u did. For me that small touch of class offsets the way the other comments came out.

MB: we've gone back and forth on this topic before so don't want to rehash too much. For whatever reasons my thoughts are always to build from strength at the back, starting with the GK and CB. Haven't figured out who the GK should be, but that's one thing I always admired about Juve as much as I despise them. You can't help but be a Buffon fan. For me no one else comes close to his level. Call me sentimental - thinking back to days of Baresi, Maldini, et. al. but we need a strong back line that will be around for years to come. Nesta has always been one of my favorites and I see glimpes of him in both Bonucci and Ranocchia.

Something else Gal had right - as fans of Serie A we should all be routing for Inter in the CL.

...

Posted by D on 05/09/2010

...
rooting for Inter doesn't bug me as much as that Bayern shouldn't be there anyway. Fiorentina beat them, plain and simple no questions about it. Now they have the nerve to seek an arbitor's ruling on the Ribery card? How quickly they forget they have no business being there. Maybe the italian football federation should have gone to the arbitor ...but whatever.

Agree on the Bundesliga's defense ..and that Dzeko is being overpriced. If it's going to be a bidding war with Chel and RM then forget it.

Not a fan of Bonera in the middle so much. Think he's better suited on the outside. Onyewu? Has yet to show any level of comfort in Serie A to make me want to count on him as a solid option. Yepes? You mean Favalli's older sister? Tough to tell with that haircut.

If you want to talk FB still think Motta is a good target. While likely a tougher buy why not inquire on Santon? AC & Inter transfer's aren't unheard of (Seedorf).

We all agree they need to get younger.

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/09/2010

Fulvio:

Some very good input there, agreed on all counts. Leonardo has to be praised for reviving Ronaldinho's career.

Buffon would never come to Milan. It would somewhat taint his Juve career, and he has come out and said that England is the only destination for him if he were to be sold.

I agree Milan needs to improve at goalkeeper. There are two young goalies in particular I'd go for: Sirigu of Palermo being my favorite, and Federico Marchetti to a lesser extent.

Posted by Desilolla on 05/10/2010

People can call med JA(Donkey),criticize me and hate me. Some people may call it obsession but I will rather call it passion.I’ve never been a Milanfan(only routed for them when they played against ManUtd and LFC in CL).The only reason I follow Milan is because of my main man Ronaldinho. There are 3players I’ve always been a huge fan of and all three of them have played for Milan. The players are Ronaldo(The one and only, the best ever. People claim that Maradona, Pele, Zizo, Messi and CR7 are the best but nobody is near R9), Rivaldo(People who claim that Zizo was better should watch the match against Valencia) and of course Ronaldinho. I simply get tears when I see him play. He has 10 killerassists in every game.Any mediocre striker would’ve scored atleast 1 or 2. But the crappie Borri,Hunter and the king of wasting Pato can’t even score on open goal. I’ve seen all Milans matches and R80 should've 50 assists. People may think Xavi is the best passer but nobody is better then R80.

Posted by daniel on 05/11/2010

the blame cannot fall on Leo. But then again, what do you expect when the owner of your team is the president of a country during a worldwide depression and financial meltdown? Do you expect him to use money out of his own pocket to buy players when presidents should be more concerned about the welfare of his/her people? I'm not saying that Silvio does that, i am just saying there are more important things than football.

Posted by joetex13 on 05/11/2010

as a juve fan, i think italian football is in love with older players. i don't know what it is, but from club football all the way up to the national team, italians just can't let go of their older players, and are afraid if that young talent fails. oh, and by the way D, onyewu's been injured the whole year, so yeah, i guess it would be hard to play with a messed up leg.

Posted by Admas Goshu on 05/11/2010

First off, I have read your columns quite often and have rather enjoyed them. I am an american living in the u.s.a. I try to get some serie a news wherever I can find it. I have to tell you I am a manchester united fan, and watched both mu-milan games in the champions league. Although I thought man u would win, I could not expect that outcome in the second game. As you said the defense was way to inconsistent throughout the year. If you put ambrosini in defense does that not call into question your depth? There are really only two ways to fix that depth: transfer or through milan's youth system. I highly doubt the youth system option since aparently serie a sides have something against giving their own youth graduates a shot, that leaves the transfer budget. Which by the way can be a rather exspensive option, as manchester city is realizing. I was dissapointed in how things fell apart for milan in the league. Seedorf is still world class. anyways, keep up the good work.

Posted by pragathish on 05/12/2010

Leonardo definitely was wonderful,and doesn't deserve a sack.But lets not cry over the spoilt.I seriously don't want to see Galli or Tossatti,or anyone who nod their heads to Berlu.
I'd love to see Capello,but it got no chance.Maybe Allegri,or Van Basten would do the trick.
But please,No Galli,No Tossati.
That is all I pray.

Posted by punditguy on 05/19/2010

I dont know about you uys but actually think/like the Tassotti idea would be good. He has been at the side for as long as i could remeber. He has been there when Carlo won 2CL titles. So i dont think its a bad idea. He probably has more experience than we know.

Should there be some one...man would i love to see Frank Rikaard!!! And he DID play for Milan in the golden years with VanBasten and Gullit

Posted by Fabio Mezzo on 05/21/2010

If this is gonn' be Leo's baptism of fire, he had it roght from the top. Leo is a decent manager but he was armstrung by serious 'bureaucracies' like Mr. Berlusconi insisting his will must be done. We are all football fans but we can never all be great coaches.
Leo's fault is in his refusal to get the youngsters in at the time he ran out of legs. Even Carletti let them in at some point.
We don't need just a coach that has been with Milan for ages. We need a coach that can keep the flair, bring out more even from the seeming tired legs (they brought us the trophies, remember), and psyche these hearts up.

Posted by KoolMILANFaN on 05/27/2010

I think Milan should do all that it can to try and keep Leonardo from leaving...In my opinion Leo did a Great Job...lets look at the facts. 1. he has never coached a team before.. 2. he was announced almost by the end of the transfer window and wasnt allowed to scout or sign his own players that he wanted... 3. he took over a Milan team who was very low in morale and was subject to a endless season of keyplayer injuries.... 4. had to find a way to make the team Gel together because of the Key playmakers who left the team (KAKA,MALDINI).. 5. Hes responsible for trimming the baby fat of Ronaldinho and giving him the rebirth of his barcelona form, and brough boriello to life!... 6. he finished the league in 3rd place which is the same Ancelotti did... i think they should of kept and given leonardo at least 1 more year and allow him freedom in this transer window to bring in new players that would work with the team chemistry like (RobinHO, 2 new defenders and a Goalie)... what do u think?

Posted by ForzaMilan504 on 06/15/2010

i dont know that much about Allegri, except he won coach of year. i hope Sivlo and Gallani step their game up and do the right thing for Milan. Theres no way with this squad we can compete for trophies. Get rid of the old players and invest in upcoming players with a lil youth a world class striker and CB. I would like to Heranes CM from Sao Paulo and maybe Rafihna or sum good defener with speed for attack and good positional sense. I like J. Pastore move. Gourcuff was a bad move to sell but it seemed since Blanc got the best out of him he wanted to stay. Now the coach will now coach France maybe we can get him back. It seems Milan dont want to spend big money so i cant see Dzeko or Fabiano arrive :(

Posted by memninseddy on 03/01/2011

Hello. And Bye.

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