Leo Is Not to Blame for AC Milan's Problems

For Milan fans, last summer was a particularly difficult time for a number of obvious reasons.

Their two-time Champions League-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti headed off to Stamford Bridge whilst their legendary club captain, Paolo Maldini, retired after 25 years of exceptional service to the one club.

Then of course, Milan sold their iconic and inspirational talisman Kaka to Real Madrid to only further compound the misery of Milan fans.

With the loss of these three key figures, the expectations for Milan this season were low, even amongst fans. Expectations, however, were lowered even further due to the fact that the Milan board had, yet again, failed to bolster a side that has drastically needed new faces for a few seasons now.

In addition, the appointment of rookie coach Leo did little to curb the concern of many Milanisti heading into the season.

Given the changes that had swept through the club over the summer and the very limited resources provided by the board because of their failure to properly invest and bolster an aging squad, appointing Leo was nothing short of a gamble. 

Leo had no coaching experience at all; yet here he was, set to take charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world that maintained great expectations with minimal resources.

Therefore, all things considered, it has to be said that Leo has done a fine job this term in his first season as a coach. Despite a shaky start, Leo led Milan to the higher echelons of the table and placed the Rossoneri in a great position to challenge for the Scudetto come the end of the season.

Not only did Leo achieve a string of good results, but Milan were at one point of the season playing some of the most attractive football on the continent. Leo also helped Ronaldinho rediscover some form and turned him into Milan’s new talisman and to great effect.

Sure Milan’s Scudetto challenge is all but over now, however, it had not been years since Milan had challenged for the title and the fact that Milan had a chance this season is testament to the good work of Leo. Furthermore, had it not been for the injuries of Pato and Nesta and the lack of sufficient cover in the squad, Milan may well be still fighting for the Serie A title.

This point may be argued by some, but there is no denying that the loss of these two key players and the lack of cover in the squad has played a major role not only in the demise of Milan’s Scudetto tilt, but also their Champions League campaign.

Had Leo been provided with a squad with sufficient depth and quality, the effects of injuries to key players could have been alleviated somewhat. Since this is the job of the club’s management, Milan’s failings on the pitch this season are significantly due to the board’s failure to provide their coach with a squad capable of challenging for major honors.

Therefore, it is maintained that the reason for Milan’s late season collapse has been more due to the lack of quality and depth in the squad rather than Leo’s capability as a coach.

The simple truth is that this has been the problem for a number of seasons now and until the board brings in the required new players, Milan will continue to fall short of challenging for major honors.

Berlusconi’s latest comments indicating that Leo is to blame for Milan’s apparent failings this season is simply to gloss over the real problem. A coaching change will not do much, if anything, to improve the fortunes of Milan next season unless new players are brought in also.

The coach is not the problem here.

What Berlusconi fails to see is that the results provided by Leo have exceeded expectations. On this point even Arrigo Sacchi agrees. Considering what many expected of Milan this season, which was not much, one suspects that the real reason Berlusconi wants Leo out is a political one.

No doubt, as a result of the politics involved and Berlusconi’s refusal to invest in the squad, it is no wonder why Leo is happy to move on.