Former Milan chiefs Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani insist they had chosen Coach Marco Giampaolo in 2016 rather than Vincenzo Montella.
They ran the club for over 30 years, before a brief spell under Yonghong Li and since last April Elliott Management.
“I had opted for Giampaolo in the summer of 2016, when we were sharing our ideas with one of the many Chinese groups in negotiations to buy the club,” former CEO Galliani told Sky Sport Italia.
Former Milan chiefs Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani insist they had chosen Coach Marco Giampaolo in 2016 rather than Vincenzo Montella.
They ran the club for over 30 years, before a brief spell under Yonghong Li and since last April Elliott Management.
“I had opted for Giampaolo in the summer of 2016, when we were sharing our ideas with one of the many Chinese groups in negotiations to buy the club,” former CEO Galliani told Sky Sport Italia.
“They wanted Montella, who I do respect, don’t get me wrong. Giampaolo can confirm this, he came to my house and if it were up to me, we’d have hired him in 2016.”
Giampaolo went to Sampdoria instead and now seems to be all set for a new job at Milan.
“He seems a Coach who likes beautiful football, has an attacking mentality and that is what you need in a team that must win convincingly,” added Berlusconi.
“I like that he’d bring back the trequartista. I will ask the current Milan President if I can meet with Giampaolo, as I think I can give him some useful tips. I did talk to President Paolo Scaroni recently and perhaps he also chose Giampaolo because of my advice.
“I’d be happy if Milan just stepped on to the pitch every time with an attacking intent, playing good football and showing respect for their opponents.
“There were very few shots on goal this season and that really disappointed me. Gennaro Gattuso is the great athlete we all know and who gave so much to Milan. I am very fond of him as a person and a player.
“I did have some disagreements with him as a Coach, because we didn’t share the same views on what the tactical system ought to be.”