Vincenzo Montella has hit out at Gennaro Gattuso for criticising his physical preparation of Milan’s players but accepts ‘I should’ve left after the Supercoppa’.
Montella led Milan to victory over Juventus in the 2016-17 Supercoppa but was sacked last November for failing to get the best out of the Rossoneri’s new signings, while Gattuso claimed the Diavolo’s players were unfit when he took over.
Vincenzo Montella has hit out at Gennaro Gattuso for criticising his physical preparation of Milan’s players but accepts ‘I should’ve left after the Supercoppa’.
Montella led Milan to victory over Juventus in the 2016-17 Supercoppa but was sacked last November for failing to get the best out of the Rossoneri’s new signings, while Gattuso claimed the Diavolo’s players were unfit when he took over.
“I had two regrets about my sacking: one is that we had enough chances to win [against Torino, his last game in charge] and the second is that there was no confidence from the board and my sacking was long overdue,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“My most serious mistake was to support the club in how they addressed the fans: enormous expectations were created.
“It was too much for a team that started with 11 new players, many of them without Champions League experience.
“We had to keep a much lower profile. I left with the feeling of unfinished business: we could’ve grown together but instead there was no time for that.
“The club promised Bonucci the captaincy. I told him over the phone that he could’ve been a leader without the armband.
“The club forced me to choose a new signing, but it still could’ve worked out. I thought of Leo and Biglia, who wasn’t that enthusiastic about the idea.
“I’ve never heard from Gattuso. I just wanted to tell him that he was wrong to insist on criticising my physical preparation in his interviews.
“He exaggerated an issue that touches me deeply. He’s doing well, but it’s not right to criticise my ability.
“I have 5-6 years of experience in Serie A. I think I have more knowledge than those who say certain things: I challenge anyone to debate the issue in public.
“One issue is how much you run, the other is how much intensity you put in. Still, I’ve never celebrated someone else’s misfortune.
“I remain focused on myself. I don’t care about anything else. I should’ve left Milan after we won the Supercoppa, but I felt tied and grateful to Milan.
“I had too much desire to keep going. I was so proud about beating an unbeatable team to win a trophy.
“I say ‘thank you’ again to Galliani for choosing me and to Fassone and Mirabelli for keeping me on.
“I only knew later on that there were doubts about me, even if I first had to read messages of little confidence in me, which filtered between the lines.”