Alex Jimenez, former AC Milan player who has now been permanently signed by AFC Bournemouth, gave an exclusive interview to GianlucaDiMarzio.com, opening with these words:
“For me, playing in the Premier League is a dream. I am happy with this moment in my career. It is true, the Premier League is more physical than Serie A and La Liga, but I feel very comfortable here. My main quality is speed, and this is the right environment to show it.”
After Real and Milan, now Bournemouth...
“I grew up at the two biggest clubs in the world. Here at Bournemouth life is calmer, there is less pressure. The fans are always by our side, in good times and bad. My relationship with Andoni Iraola is excellent. I am very happy to have a coach like him and I hope to stay with him for a long time.”
If you had to choose one word to dedicate to Milan, what would it be?
“Thank you. Thank you because it is the club that gave me my first team debut, the club I loved and still love. I felt very good at Milan. I did not want to leave. But when the season began I realized I would not play a leading role. There were several situations I did not appreciate.”
Which ones?
“I was not given the responsibility I thought I deserved. They should have believed in me more. I will give you an example. At the start of the season I asked for the number 2 shirt. It meant a lot to me because of the tradition of great full backs who wore it. They said no. They told me I was not ready, that I was too immature. They were wrong. After that, it is true, I lost focus and I arrived late a few times.”
The final straw?
As the interviewer Luca Bendoni wrote, this refers to a private message that became public, in which Jimenez vented about Massimiliano Allegri, saying:
"I did not even play… this shitty coach."
Six months later, Alex responds:
“It was stupid. I do not think Allegri is a ‘shitty coach,’ and his career proves it. I had just come out of a match, I had not played and I was angry. I sent the message to the wrong person. From day one I apologized to Allegri. I do not stand by what I wrote. And he accepted my apology. But all these situations took away my peace of mind, and I was the one who told the club to look for solutions. Milan is a club I love, and I did not want to feel bad or negatively affect the team because of my difficult moment.”
What was the problem at Milan?
“I do not think it was ever a coaching issue. It was a team issue. We needed more belief in ourselves. Football is like that. One year you struggle and the next you do well. Just look at them now.”
Which former teammates do you keep in touch with?
“I often speak with Bartesaghi. We had a similar path at Milan. He is playing a lot now and I am very happy for him.”
Would you return to Milan? Jimenez replied:
“Right now I am focused on Bournemouth. I am happy and I am playing well. But of course, I loved Milan and I will never close the door on a club that gave me everything. If today I am here playing in the Premier League, it is also thanks to Milan. Only time will tell.”
