Adriano Galliani has paid tribute to the “four lives“ of ex-Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, while revealing plans to take Monza into Serie A by 2021.
Galliani gave an interview to Corriere dello Sport, where he spoke in great length about his relationship with Berlusconi.
“I feel admiration for [Silvio] Berlusconi,“ he began.
“First, there was the builder. Whilst others were building apartments, he built Milano Duo [a neighbourhood] between 1970 and 1979."
Adriano Galliani has paid tribute to the “four lives“ of ex-Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, while revealing plans to take Monza into Serie A by 2021.
Galliani gave an interview to Corriere dello Sport, where he spoke in great length about his relationship with Berlusconi.
“I feel admiration for [Silvio] Berlusconi,“ he began.
“First, there was the builder. Whilst others were building apartments, he built Milano Duo [a neighbourhood] between 1970 and 1979."
“Second, he was the editor. He founded three [TV channels] to compete with Rai and invented private television in Italy.
“Third, football. In July 1987, we all met at Castello di Pomerio and he surprised us by saying, ‘this year we will win the League, next year we will win the European Cup, and in 1990 we will be No 1 in the world.’
“The fourth, as a politician. When, at the end of 1993, he decided to start a party, he said he would be Prime Minister within six months and, in May 1994, he was.”
Having sold Milan in 2017, Berlusconi then bought Monza, currently in Serie C, and again hired Galliani as his right-hand man.
However, the 74-year-old denies that the duo are applying their old model of outspending every other side to achieve success.
“This is our first year. We have spent €3m on the squad and €5m on the infrastructure: the training ground, the stadium and other things. Wages are a separate issue.”
Galliani says it didn’t take much convincing to entice Berlusconi back into the world of football.
“He’s lived in Arcore for 40 years, Villa San Martino is just two kilometres away from Monza. From there, you can see the lights of the Stadio Brianteo. I didn’t have to convince him.
“It took him about one minute and 15 seconds to say, ‘let’s do it.’ We both have a sense of cultivating a belonging, which is crucial in both football and in life.”
Monza are currently top of Serie C Group A with Cristian Brocchi their coach, but could the former Rossoneri player be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti?
“In a year-and-a-half, when we’re in Serie A, I’ll call him!”