Monza CEO and former vice-chair of Milan Adriano Galliani has given an in-depth interview to Il Corriere dello Sport, during which he discussed topics including his love for Monza and its coach Raffaele Palladino, as well as providing anecdotes on his relationship with Juventus boss Max Allegri.
Galliani took over at Monza, his hometown team, in 2018 following the purchase of the club by the late Silvio Berlusconi.
The 79-year-old executive still speaks very highly of his relationship with Berlusconi, insisting that his mentorship several decades ago provided an incomparable education in the world of football and business.
“I joined Monza at the end of September 1975 and met Berlusconi in 1979,” Galliani said in his interview, reported by Calciomercato.com. “Without those 10 years, that apprenticeship, he would never have entrusted me with the management of Milan.
As Galliani will turn 80 in the summer, he was asked whether he still has the motivation required to run a top-flight football club.
He replied: “I am fired up. The sense of belonging is a fundamental principle and one that I take a lot of pride in. I was born in Monza, so was the captain Matteo Pessina, who is unquestionably an excellent player and also has strong roots in Monza.”
Galliani’s comments led the topic of conversation towards Monza’s current set of players, particularly the impressive Colpani, who has recently been rewarded with his first call-up to Luciano Spalletti’s national team squad.
“Nobody came to talk to us about Colpani. He has five years left on his contract. We are in December, but even in June and beyond, he is non-negotiable.”
Galliani was also asked about his relationship with Juve coach Allegri, as the two had worked closely together at Milan between the years of 2010 and 2014.
“He finished with Milan in 2014, but if anything, our relationship has grown even stronger since then,” he responded.
“After his Scudetto with Milan, Max won five championships in a row with Jiuventus, four Coppa Italias, two Supercoppas and played in two Champions League finals, losing to two unknown clubs in Ronaldo’s Madrid and Messi’s Barcelona,” he laughed.
“So what the f*** do people want to talk about,” Galliani concluded in response to those who have criticised the Juventus coach.
Monza and Juventus will face off in Serie A on Friday evening, a fixture that holds a lot of sentimental value for Galliani.
“Monza-Juve reminds me of my mother, who used to take me to the stadium when I was seven or eight years old. She would always say that one day, Monza would play in Serie A.
“I lost her when I was less than 15 years old, so the bond with this club is something spiritual, it connects two souls.”