Fabio Capello analysed the coaching options in front of Milan, questioning why they’d focus on a foreign tactician considering the last 24 years of history in Serie A.
The Rossoneri are gearing up to replace Stefano Pioli after five years at the helm and have seemingly narrowed their shortlist down to two options – Porto’s Sergio Conceicao and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca, with the former in pole position at this stage.
The idea of appointing Conceicao has divided Milan fans, with some appreciating his CV and experience in Portugal whilst others believe a local option like Antonio Conte, Thiago Motta or Roberto De Zerbi would be a better choice for the new project.
Capello questions Milan thinking
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello first weighed in on the debate surrounding less experienced Italian coaches like Raffaele Palladino.
“It’s like this, winning Italian coaches are little sought after. Today there is a lot of talk about foreigners and young coaches on the rise, from De Rossi to Gilardino and Palladino.
“The directors’ idea is probably to go in search of something new, different, but also cheap. Safe second-hand products are less popular.”
He was asked if experience makes the difference for a club like Milan.
“Getting you out of every situation, especially the difficult ones. In this case we are talking about coaches who have demonstrated great ability. Today’s young coaches are doing well and are growing but the education is worth it.
“In terms of victories I find a ‘dash’, not a number that indicates how many trophies they have won. The arguments given to forwards should apply, in the end you look at the goal count, with all due respect to everyone, today there are also the agents…”
Capello commented on if Serie A should be ‘more grateful’ to experienced Italian coaches.
“It is said that Conte has high expectations on the transfer market, but it’s right that this is the case, as he’s a top-tier coach. To accept an offer, he must be fully convinced, wherever he went, he did his part well.
“Allegri still has a year of his contract with Juve and in the past he rejected offers from the big European teams. Today all the blame for this Juve team is placed on him, but they’re not a strong team.
“The strange thing was to see him fighting for the Scudetto, he has a mediocre midfield, and the midfield is the driving force of everything.”
The former Milan coach expressed confusion regarding the Rossoneri’s search for a new coach.
“Who came from outside to win in Italy? Liedholm, Boskov, Eriksson, a few examples and now dated. Since 2000 only Mourinho. It must mean something. We look around when we have Thiago Motta at home, who is ready for the big teams.
“Gasperini himself, he hasn’t been dancing for just a year, he’s been doing it for years and every time he manages to give something more to the team, he constantly renews himself and always manages to be competitive. For the skills he has, he deserves any important bench.”
Finally, Capello analysed the options on the coaching market.
“It depends on what a club are looking for, what idea they have and what type of football they want to see on the pitch. We talked about experience, but it is also true that it takes courage. If Berlusconi hadn’t had it, Sacchi’s Milan would not have existed, of Capello, of Ancelotti himself.
“There are young coaches doing well. De Zerbi has a great sponsor in Guardiola, he did well at Sassuolo, now he is in a bit of difficulty.
“He won a Super Cup in Ukraine, it can be said that he is an Italian with international experience. And today to coach Milan or Juve you need to know many things.”