Gennaro Gattuso explains he took Milan into a training retreat because “not everyone had their minds on the job,” but denied he’s leaving or quitting.
The game with Bologna kicks off on Monday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT).
“We trained well, it was a week where I heard a lot of things in the media that were inaccurate,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Gennaro Gattuso explains he took Milan into a training retreat because “not everyone had their minds on the job,” but denied he’s leaving or quitting.
The game with Bologna kicks off on Monday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT).
“We trained well, it was a week where I heard a lot of things in the media that were inaccurate,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“I made the decision to put the team into a training retreat and the club supported me in that. I saw the team was more irritable over the last few days and we’ve got to prove it on the field. It’s not ideal, but it’s our duty to take responsibility.
“I didn’t want to take this action, but there are rules for everyone to respect. In difficult moments, you must realise the importance of the jersey you are wearing. I chose the training retreat because I felt not everyone had their minds on the job. We’ve been together for four of five days and this strengthened us.
“Anyone who plays football and is part of any sport knows you need ambition, the pride of hearing that Champions League theme tune. We’re in a negative period right now, but the only way out of the tunnel is to analyse what’s working and what isn’t. Anyone who plays for Milan must have this ambition.
“The problem perhaps is that in order to avoid causing controversy, we stayed quiet, whereas we ought to say things to our faces. If an attitude is wrong and unhelpful, we’ve got to point it out.”
Gattuso also denied suggestions he will be fired at the end of the season, even if Milan get into fourth place.
“No decisions have been made, my only objective is to reach the Champions League and I have two years on my contract. Nobody has told me anything else.
“As for resigning, that just isn’t part of my vocabulary. It’s not happening. Look at my history, do you think I’d just give up? I’ve been battling since I was 17 years old. When I no longer want to fight, I’ll spend time with my kids and my dogs, I’ll enjoy my life, but that time is not now.
“Over the next few games, we must prove that we’re not dead yet and that we are still here. We’ve thrown away too many points, but fourth place is still there and we have to go and get it back.”