AC Milan's former coach, Arrigo Sacchi, has discussed the Rossoneri club's situation and the position of Stefano Pioli after the difficult games. Here are his words in the pages of Gazzetta dello Sport's today's edition:
On Milan confirming Pioli:
"Was it the right choice? I would say yes. Is there anyone who thinks it's Pioli's fault? I hope not. I believe the most serious mistake is upstream, from there the problems arise."
On the mistake made by Milan:
"Signing too many foreigners. Those coming from abroad take time to understand our league, the game, the methodologies. These boys seem confused and the result is that Milan is not always a team."
On the greater difficulties encountered in a similar situation, Sacchi said:
"Everything becomes difficult, even communicating with the players because we don't speak the same language. But was it really necessary to change so much? Milan, spending very little, had won a Scudetto and reached the semifinals of the Champions League: to revolutionize means to have rejected the previous management."
On the disappointed and furious Milan fans:
"The boos from the crowd on Saturday, I found them fair. Very poor performance. The fact is that there is little time now to get into the players' heads and convince them that they need to become a collective", said Sacchi.
On what Pioli should do now:
"I don't presume to give him advice, he will know what to do. I can say what I used to do."
He added:
"I was labeled as the 'Mr. Nobody' who arrived at Milan. And indeed, I was a 'Mr. Nobody'. But 'Mr. Nobody' didn't want presumptuous, individualistic, lazy, greedy, unprofessional players. Coaches today should make their voices heard more in the transfer market. Before buying Frank Rijkaard, I sent my trusted man to observe him for two weeks: when he came back, I even asked him what he ate, what his habits were off the field. You have to choose the people before the players, do you understand?"
On the club showing support for the coach, Sacchi commented:
"And this is positive because it allows Pioli to have the necessary authority when leading a group. In my first year at Milan, I had some difficulties. Silvio Berlusconi came to Milanello and said, 'Good morning. I have the utmost trust in Arrigo. Whoever follows him, will also stay next year. Whoever doesn't follow him, will leave. Goodbye.' Twenty-seven seconds of speech, and from that moment we began the great ride. The strength of the club is fundamental to achieving great goals."
READ MORE: Gazzetta: Milan still place trust in Pioli – But, the next two coming matches are crucial
