OFFICIAL: Leonardo is our new coach

it's nauseating to see Galliani hugging Leonardo on the stand when Milan scored and when Ancelotti was still on the bench.

I'll be honest with you: I think this 'Milan-is-like-a-family" value and philosophy is nothing but a smokescreen to attract talents when they are needed.

When they are no longer needed, when resources trump, or when pathetic fans cry for anyone's exit, the management will do exactly that: family no more.

I don't know. The way I interpreted it was that there was this constant fear that what Galliani and Leo have been planning for the summer all depends on securing 3rd place. What I saw was relief from both of them that their plans are still on track and won't change. I didn't see it as forced emotions for the cameras.

Family atmosphere doesnt mean that clubs priorities are on the first place. After all, and above all, ac Milan is a football club/firm that has certain organization and everyone in there has his own place. Family is a wrong expression to describe the way things work at professional institution.

I would have preferred that Milan bring in an experienced coach like Prandelli or someone with a similar track record, but I know that Leonardo loves Milan and he will do everything he can -- and surround himself with the people he needs -- to be the best coach he can be. It's always exciting (and maybe a bit apprehensive) when your club goes in a new direction -- even if that direction isn't a radical departure from the past. So I'm hopeful about the future and I will give Leonardo my full support (for what little that is worth). Hopefully he can be as successful as Pep Guardiola has been at Barcelona.

One thing I was thinking is that Leonardo has been responsible for most of the younger talent that Milan has brought in. That would seem to be a sign of encouragement to those who are always bitching because Milan doesn't cast off every player who turns 30 or brings in a player over 25. He has a good eye for talent and he seems to have the trust of Silvio and Uncle Fester in scouting and player development matters. What he might not yet know as far as the x's and o's are concerned, he can surround himself with assistants who know their way around the strategy and the tactics. His main job at first should be to rebuild the squad and to manage things properly. If he can do that, I'm sure Milan will be in good hands.

Originally Posted by mrki

Family atmosphere doesnt mean that clubs priorities are on the first place. After all, and above all, ac Milan is a football club/firm that has certain organization and everyone in there has his own place. Family is a wrong expression to describe the way things work at professional institution.

...that clubs priorities are NOt on the first place... Sorry for quoting myself, I wanted to fix the error.

Its a pure gamble, I hope it works. I would have preferred if we had copied Barca and picked Tassoti.

I need a breakdown here: what attributes a great coach needs and what Leonardo is gifted. Really appreciate if anyone give it a try.

"My team is Milan. My team is the Italian team with Italian features and we will prove in the field."

Statment by carlo Ancelotti four hours before match against Man Utd on San Siro!!

GRAZIE CARLETTO..you are still on of the best!!!

Originally Posted by lana

Its a pure gamble, I hope it works. I would have preferred if we had copied Barca and picked Tassoti.

I have to question this statement. What in the world do you mean by Tassoti? Leonardo was an old-boy, just the same. Leo is starting his coaching, just as Guardiola was 12 months ago.

Just because Tassoti sat on the bench with Carlo doesn't mean that he has an advantage over Leo.

Mind you, I'm not trying to pick sides here, just stating objective arguments. I just feel that it's unfair for you to compare Pep to Tassoti, but not to Leo....

I'm happy Carlo is gone because we needed the change at the club, but I'm not sure if someone as inexperienced as Leo is the right person for the job. I wish Leo all the best, however, and I'm excited to see how he shapes his Milan for next season.

P.s. is it just Leo or are we having the trident of coaches in Leo, Galli and Tassotti.

Originally Posted by rinogattuso

"My team is Milan. My team is the Italian team with Italian features and we will prove in the field."

Statment by carlo Ancelotti four hours before match against Man Utd on San Siro!!

GRAZIE CARLETTO..you are still on of the best!!!

I didnt here about this one...great intro into the best game in this century by Milan. Ancelotti is a true great..

I don't know, my fear is Leo will have no leverage to build his own team. How can he go into berlu's office and go "look, I'm dropping ronaldinho, this 3 man attack thing is not working." when he has no experience and no credentials?

I do believe he is an incredibly intelligent man though, and I have no doubt he knows what he's doing, just not sure whether he's very good at it yet. I think Tassotti would have been a mistake, there has to be a shake up, new ideas, and tassotti would not have represented that.

All I have to say is:
Good Luck AC Milan

Thanks Carlo. Good luck.

We venture into the unknown now.

Not that we arent equipped for next season as we stand, to not totally embarass the club, its fans, and its crest...but as this campaign has proven, our bench was not (again) deep enough to compensate for the loss of the starting players, inconsistency ruled the day on numerous occasions, and points were dropped.

Next term therefore, for us to be considered serious contenders, on three fronts, we will need significant investment, and sales of players, to not only aquire what Leonardo requests, but simply to replace those who leave.

Leo has the ear of Berlu, this for us could be a good thing...will our patron now cough up the funds he hasnt for quite some time, this year? We already have what, 12M pounds for Gorky right? Hmmm..seems we already have funds to go shopping in S America....

The reactions of Galliani and Leonardo for me (as has been said) were more of genuine relief that their plans were actually going to go ahead. This is comforting (despite the obvious hypocracy of it all) in that it indicates that we have been planning this for some time, and therfore targets would be already identified, if not confirmed (hopefully..yes, the glass is half full) and as such, summer training could have the full complement of players Leo wants. (Always a good thing to help build chemistry and integrate the new players).

Nesta´s return was a welcome sight today, and a lot rests on his form, and ability to play through a grueling season (if we challenge on all 3 fronts), regardless, we will stillneed a partner for Silva, (who cannot be Favalli, if that is, we are thinking of actually targetting any silverware next term. Key players in key positions, surgical replacements, say, Seedorf out, Essien in

The nucleus that Leonardo has inherited is sound, Pato, Kaka, Ronaldinho are a trio of such potential that it seems difficult to understand why they havent played more...and this, more than anything, this insistence by Carlo to leave Ronaldino on the bench, was a factor in Berlu´s decision to part ways with the clubs most successful coach, IMO.

A glimpse of the future? Berlu the pupeteer, this time 100% pulling all strings...?

Hope not.

So, into a world of fantasy...Leo has a hard task ahead of him, what with Guardiola setting such an unbelieveable precedent, I find it hard for circumstance to conspire with fate to give us anything but a challenge for European places (of any form) next term, though I certainly hope otherwise.

In a best case scenario, Leo will have all he needs to go for glory...lets see if he has the leadership skills to control the egos and push all the right buttons, not to mention his tactical nous...

Best of Luck Leo.

Forza Milan!!

Thanks to Carlo for everything he did for Milan but I believe this is the right time to bring in a change at the club. If Leonardo is the right guy to bring the change or not, only time will tell that but at the moment lets hope Leanardo proves to be the right guy.

Best of luck to Carlo for his future and welcome to Leonardo as a Milan coach. Hopefully you will change the fortunes of this club from the very first season like Pep Guardiola of Barcelona.