Adriano Galliani has hinted that Milan did talk to Antonio Conte this summer, but that in Pippo Inzaghi, they have a Coach who ‘resembles him greatly’.
The Rossoneri were at one stage linked with the former Juventus tactician, before he eventually took up the vacant Italy post and they promoted Inzaghi to the bench from the youth team.
Even in the Diavolo’s bright start to this season, Galliani has admitted that perhaps Conte could have been their Coach this term.
Adriano Galliani has hinted that Milan did talk to Antonio Conte this summer, but that in Pippo Inzaghi, they have a Coach who ‘resembles him greatly’.
The Rossoneri were at one stage linked with the former Juventus tactician, before he eventually took up the vacant Italy post and they promoted Inzaghi to the bench from the youth team.
Even in the Diavolo’s bright start to this season, Galliani has admitted that perhaps Conte could have been their Coach this term.
“Let’s say there was a little courtship there. Conte is a great Coach,” the Vice-President has told the Corriere della Sera this week.
“And I think Inzaghi resembles him very much. Having been teammates has made them more than similar.
“We have signed players adapted to the ideas of Inzaghi. There is full collaboration between him, me and the President.
“There has always been a special feeling between Pippo and the President. It is in their skin – before the Champions League Final in Athens, Berlusconi called Inzaghi and predicted he would score two goal.
“In the evening before, Pippo was unwell, not able to stand up. I also said to Ancelotti: ‘Is it not better to play Gilardino?’ And Carlo said: ‘That’s right, but maybe tomorrow Pippo will score’.
“And my relationship with Barbara Berlusconi? It makes no sense to talk about it, there’s a division of labour that works.”
Milan have started the season well, as they look to make amends on a poor 2013-14 campaign that has left them without European football this term.
“The crisis last year? It’s like the economic crisis – everyone is good at explaining it afterwards, but no-one tells you beforehand not to go in a certain way.
“Now it is useless to talk about it, the past has no remedy. Milano and Milan are growing. Milan has a negative season, after a first, a second and a third place.
“And with Allegri in the Champions League we always moved past the group stage.
“Certainly over the past few nights I have suffered in seeing a lot of European matches without Milan.”
Galliani was asked for a word on his transfer philosophy, which again this summer saw focus on low-cost purchases where possible.
“The purchases must not be assessed for their cost, but for their performance. It is much more difficult to sign competitive players at their maturity.
“The appeal of Milan helps, but it takes a global knowledge of the agents and relations with the club. For example, Menez and Alex were at the end of their contracts, but Diego Lopez and Torres were tied to Real Madrid and Chelsea.
“We have purchased them for nothing only because of personal relationships.
“And the sale of Balotelli? I realised that his desire was to leave. If he can grow he will become a great player. I was very pleased to see his goal for Liverpool this week.”