The Uncertain Future of AC Milan

This time last year, was a time of much distress for any Milan fan. With the sale of Kaka, the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the retirement of Paolo Maldini, things were not looking up for the 2007 Champions League winners. A year on, not much has changed.

In fact, with the indecision of the board to decide on who will be Milan’s coach next season, rumours surrounding the possible sale of the club along with the age old need to completely revamp the entire squad that requires a budget the club simply does not have, the situation in Milan is possibly worse than last year.

In addition to all this, the club’s President, Silvio Berlusconi has shown that he has gone certifiably insane with his latest comment where he was quoted as saying that he could coach Milan to a Scudetto. With a leader who says such things, it is no wonder Milan is in the state that it is. It is not only wholly disrespectful to the great work of Leo but it simply is an idiotic thing to say. However, I will recant such criticism if Silvio can prove me wrong by coaching Milan to the Scudetto next season.

There was hope a few weeks ago that Berlusconi would show that he has not completely lost the plot when there were rumours that he was willing to sell a 20-30% stake in the club. Though this would force him to relinquish his majority control of the club, such a move would inject some much needed funds into the club. With an estimated figure of 180 million Euro, such funds would enable Milan to finally make significant changes to the playing personnel.

Even though such a move would force Berlusconi to relinquish majority control over the club he has commanded for 25 years, for the sake of Milan this would be the best possible move.

Simply put, the club needs to invest in the squad to avoid another season ending trophy-less. To do so Milan need money to buy players. Since Berlusconi is unable to provide the funds necessary, outside investors need to be attracted.

Since there is logic in this argument for a stake of the club to be sold. If Berlusconi did sell, he would not only help the club get back to winnings ways, but he would prove that he can still think logically. Something that of now is not wholly certain.

Unfortunately, as the rumours increased surrounding a possible sale in recent weeks, Berlusconi has since come out and denied any such reports. For now, such rumours will be put to the side. However, one cannot help but think there is some element of truth in them given Berlusconi’s teetering political career and the financial troubles facing his media empire.

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club and the state of mind of the current President, it is still unknown as to who will be Milan’s head coach next season. Former Caligiari boss Massimiliano Allegri is in pole position and it seems just a matter of time before he is officially announced. Until this time, however, uncertainty will abound.

But, even when Allegri is officially appointed head coach, if it so happens, one has to question whether he is the kind of manager Milan need to ensure success. From my own personal point of view, he is not the kind of manager that will ensure success.

For a club like Milan, undoubtedly one of the greatest clubs in the world, only the best managers should be considered. Managers that have proven themselves by winning the biggest prizes at the biggest clubs or national teams in the world. Coaches like Ancelotti, Capello, Lippi, Mourinho, Trappattoni are the calibre of coaches Milan should be courting. Even Rijkaard would be a better option than appointing a coach who has not won anything and who has no experience coaching big teams filled with big stars. Allegri does not even have experience playing at a big club, so he will be a novice to the expectations associated with a club like Milan.

Allegri is a competent coach, but he will not ensure success and therefore he is not the right option. Fabio Capello, Giovanni Trappattoni, Marcello Lippi and Frank Rijkaard are the coaches Milan should be attempting to sign.

For now though, Milan are left without a coach and this is a real problem and it is yet another failure of the board. With Leo having decided long ago that he will leave, Milan should have already resolved the issue of who will be coach next season.

With the interruption that the World Cup will cause, it would have been ideal for the new coach begin to his role in time to meet all the players before the world cup and introduce to them his project for the next season or two. Unfortunately, this has not happened and thus the new coach will not have the chance to work with a full side until late July early August. With less time to prepare for the season ahead, it can only be detrimental to Milan’s chances next season.

Furthermore, because of the indecision to decide on the coach, Milan’s transfer strategy is also being undermined. Whoever is elected coach will no doubt have their own preferred system of play. Without knowledge of who will be coach next season and thus without the knowledge of what system of play Milan will adopt, it is harder for the club to determine what kind of players are needed.

Sure there are a number of positions that need investing regardless of the system of play Milan will adopt next season. But for instance, Leo’s 4-3-3 system is very different from the 4-3-1-2 system that Allegri will likely employ. Hence, each system requires different types of players.

The board has failed miserably in their attempts to appoint a new coach. It has taken too long, it has undermined the club’s transfer campaign and the coach that seems likely to get the nod (Massimiliano Allegri) is not of the highest quality.

Then there is Milan’s transfer campaign that, much like last season, has been more talk than substance. Galliani has recently come out and said that the club will sign at least one world class player in addition to bringing in a number of young but talented players.

However, with the club estimated to have only 30 million Euros to spend, it remains to be seen just how Galliani plans to finance these purchases.

Edin Dzeko may be the world class player that Milan is planning to buy, however, he alone will cost 30 million Euros.

Clearly, what Milan need to do is sell some players. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar should be allowed to leave for he will bring in at least 15 million Euros, one would think. The likes of Gattuso, Jankulovski, Kaladze and Oddo should all be sold as no Milan fan will be sad to see the back of these over paid veterans.

If the club can collect another 25 million Euros from the sale of current players, that will leave a transfer kitty of 55 million Euro. If used efficiently it could deliver Milan Edin Dzeko and possibly two quality youngsters.

Still, it remains doubtful such a transfer policy will solve half of Milan’s problems. Milan need at least two world class players. One striker and one midfielder. The likes of Ambrosini, Gattuso and Flamini are simply not good enough and the former two are well past their use by date.

Another problem will arise also if Milan’s new head coach prefers a system of play other than that of a 4-3-3. Allegri is the current favourite to be chosen as Milan’s coach but as already mentioned, he prefers not to play a 4-3-3. This is a problem for Milan because of one reason: Ronaldinho.

Despite a stellar season where he regained some form and inspired Milan to a third place finish, Ronaldinho is only comfortable playing on the left side of an attacking trident. In this position he excels and it is the reason why Leo adopted a 4-3-3 following Milan’s miserable start to the season. Leo’s initial 4-3-1-2 system completely failed as did Ronaldinho did playing in the role just behind the two strikers.

Ronaldinho does not have the ability to perform in this role. If Allegri does not alter his stance on his preferred system of play with Milan, then the club will need to go shopping for a player that can play in this position successfully. In such a scenario, it would make sense to sell Ronaldinho for two reasons. One, only selling Ronaldinho could finance such a purchase and two, Ronaldinho will not be content to sit on the bench.

Evidently, much uncertainty still abounds in Milan. Whether next season will be an improvement from the last is questionable.

What is clear is that Milan’s problems have all stemmed from the inability of the board to successfully their job.

The board have failed miserably in their attempts to secure a new coach for next season. They have not been sufficiently ambitious in the names they have been courting for the role. Furthermore they have wasted time.

The board have also failed to sell one of the many players Milan should off-load this summer whilst they are still yet to name the arrival of any new players. Also, and rather unbelievably, Galliani has been making attempts to sign the utterly hopeless Mancini on a permanent deal. Incredible.

Lastly, the board have failed to raise the funds needed for a successful transfer campaign. Like any company in need of funds, it is the responsibility of the board to seek investors thereby gaining access to more funds. The board have failed to do this. Selling a stake in the club also does not mean Milan becoming foreign owned. It is important that Milan stays in control by a predominantly Italian list of owners. However, it is also important that Milan retain their status as on of the greatest clubs in the world. For this, outside investors are required.

There is reason to be unsure as to what the future of Milan holds. Despite the grave state of affairs, there is perhaps hope in some recent comments made by Galliani where he has promised one world class signing and a few talented youngsters. But, this is only talk. Only after Milan actually make a significant signing will there be reason to be optimistic. Until then, Milan fans can only hope.