Adriano Galliani confirmed negotiations for Silvio Berlusconi to buy Lega Pro club Monza. “It went from temptation to genuine idea.”
Berlusconi and Galliani worked together for over 30 years, taking Milan from the verge of bankruptcy to become the most successful side in the world.
He sold up to Yonghong Li in April 2017, but couldn’t stay away from football for long and are now ready to purchase Serie C side Monza.
Adriano Galliani confirmed negotiations for Silvio Berlusconi to buy Lega Pro club Monza. “It went from temptation to genuine idea.”
Berlusconi and Galliani worked together for over 30 years, taking Milan from the verge of bankruptcy to become the most successful side in the world.
He sold up to Yonghong Li in April 2017, but couldn’t stay away from football for long and are now ready to purchase Serie C side Monza.
“Over the last three days, I received dozens and dozens of calls from players who are out of contract, agents interested in placing their clients with us, directors who are curious about the project,” Galliani told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“The football universe is fired up, attracted by the possible return to the sport of Silvio Berlusconi. Do you know what they told me yesterday? The potential arrival of the Silvio and Adriano double act is giving Lega Pro the same effect that Cristiano Ronaldo generated in Serie A.
“We had only recently sold Milan and missed football a lot, so chatting about various things with the President last year, we had the idea of buying another club. We already acknowledged the only side we could purchase without ruining the unique rapport we had with Milan was Monza.
“Berlusconi turned down offers to buy up several clubs over the last few months and I declined roles in more than one club. The President lives 3km from the Brianteo Stadium, I was born there and started my directorial career there.
“We really do feel like Ulysses returning to Ithaca.”
Monza have been going for 106 years, but never made it to Serie A.
“Over the last few days, Monza went from temptation to genuine idea. The President mandated me to call Nicola Colombo, number one at Monza, to verify the possible negotiations.”
It’s believed Berlusconi would buy 70 per cent of the club and become Honorary President of Monza, with Adriano Galliani as general manager and Colombo remaining as President.
“We all agree on the plan of developing a Monza squad made up entirely of players who can represent Italy at international level. We want Monza to churn out talents for Italy from the Under-15 side onwards.”