Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi insists that Massimiliano Allegri will remain as boss despite his admiration for Pep Guardiola.
Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi insists that Massimiliano Allegri will remain as boss despite his admiration for Pep Guardiola.
The President suggested at the weekend that his club would try to tempt the Spaniard at the end of the season, but he has today shown faith in his current tactician.
“Guardiola gave life to a Barcelona team that played the best football of recent years,” the former Italian Prime Minister told Canale 5 on Monday.
“I think that everyone would like Guardiola, but we have an excellent relationship with Allegri and that will continue.
“There has always been a good rapport with Allegri on a personal level. There have been rumours and stories which don’t correspond with the truth.
“There have been three sides in history who have played the best football. The Ajax of Cruyff, the Milan of the three Dutchmen and his Barcelona. But we will continue with our Coach.”
Milan have had their struggles so far this season, but they are moving up the table after a 1-0 win over Juventus on Sunday.
“It seems as if we have cancelled out our start to the season. That beginning was predictable because after 26 years, our best players, because of their age, left.
“Now Milan have to focus on youngsters and we need to give them time to affirm themselves. We have to work like that and I think we already have an attack that will ignite with Alexandre Pato, when he returns, Stephan El Shaarawy and Bojan Krkic.”
Berlusconi also insisted that the club were right to keep Paris Saint-Germain target Alexandre Pato last January, who could have been replaced by Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.
“I have no regrets that I didn’t sell him. I personally have never liked Tevez and, anyway, we want to start a new cycle with youngsters.”
On reports suggesting that Wesley Sneijder, frozen out of the Inter squad, could move to the Rossoneri, Berlusconi said: “There is no Milan option.”