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My thoughts on the "crisis-talks" held by Galliani in the aftermath of our exit from the uefa cup, and the similarities with 2001:
It is slightly ridiculous that our management (if the rumors of the coach out at season's end, mass player exodus and wage slashing are to be believed) would take this approach.
After failing to properly invest, and failing to acknowledge said failure, its now the "fault" of the coach and players?
Are they really serious?
I won't go into the individuals who I feel are certainly not good enuf to play for Milan, instead, I will certainly ask what are these purported statements going to do for team morale?
If I were a Milan player, especially one with "star" status, I would certainly go ahead and put in a transfer request right away.
I don't think any of our players are underperforming on purpose...I think that there are too many of them that just aren't good enuf @ the highest level.
We have aging/decrepit superstars that have outlived their usefullness, yet seem to be a fixture in the starting 11...and if there is one thing that we do know about our team selection policy, its that the coach doesn't always decide who plays.
Ancelotti for me, is a gentleman, and maybe, just maybe, is too much of a gentleman for this club.
I recall my dismay at his arrival, my constant put-downs of his selections and tactics, yet in my time as a Milan fan, only Capello has been more successfull...and we saw how our owner treated one of the best coaches on the planet...
To change coach now for me would be a mistake. Many will disagree with this, and say its time for a change...but if we look @ the club (Man U) that has been a consistent protagonist domestically and in europe, then surely he should be given more time, especially if he gets this lumbering, creaky old squad to 3rd place or better in the Serie A.
The opposing model of club management: Real Madrid, has achieved arguably an equal measure of success, yet has only really done so with ridiculously huge amounts of money (which Berlu is no longer willing/able to do) being thrown at problems as they arise.
Wage slashing? Mass sell outs? Is management really for real? How motivating is that? Much can be said for the "carrot and stick" model of management, and indeed, "failure" cannot be rewarded...but this threat must be taken seriously...as from a business point of view, it makes sense.
We cannot continue to pay stars UCL wages if they are only capable of getting to the uefa cup.
My way forward:
a) I suggest that management reverse their "experience first" recruitment policy in the first instance, then
b) clinically assess the under/inconsistent performers, and rid ourselves of them ASAP. c) Keep Ancelotti (though I agree his tenure must be contingent on getting into the UCL next term...and I am quite sure he is capable of this)
d) Continue to invest in young, proven talent, in the following positions:
i) Centre forward / Striker: eg Benzema
ii) Attacking/Central midfield : eg Gourcuff
iii) Goalkeeper (Abbiati and Dida are both long in the tooth)
iv) Defensive back: Zambrotta needs an understudy, as does Marek.
v) CD: (eg Santacroce, Mexes)
With this, Milan can renew, and challenge on all fronts.
We have a good core of young players, and players still @ the top, or close to the top of their game...so we don't need the threatened wholesale changes...
I jus hope Carlo remains at the helm next term...we need the continuity, and hopefully the players will respond to this "challenge/threat" in a positive way.
In the end, a very similar situation to the 2001-2002 season, hopefully with some key changes to the modus operendi.
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I Love Milan.
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