Adriano Galliani explains Monza’s transfer strategy and why the Brianzoli ‘can’t compete with Nottingham Forest.’
Silvio Berlusconi-owned club have gained promotion to Serie A for the first time in history. They have had an ambitious transfer window so far, signing many players, mostly Italians such as Alessio Cragno, Stefano Sensi, Gianluca Caprari and Andrea Ranocchia.
“It’s a precise philosophy of President Silvio Berlusconi, which I agree with. Foreign players take longer to settle in, so being the first part of the season quite tough, with many games, the risk was to be already relegated while waiting for them to adapt,” Galliani told Tuttosport newspaper.
“Italians have a different bond with their clubs, especially if they come from the youth sector. I remember negotiations with Cesare Maldini. He wanted a lot of money from Milan to renew with Paolo, but whenever he left the room, he always said: ‘No worries, I’d never make him move from here.’ Do you see the difference?
“Now, there are more agents with more power. Football has changed following Bosman and especially TV rights,” the ex-Milan director continued.
“Premier League clubs earn four times more than Serie A’s. Monza get €33m from TV rights, and we must give €3m to Serie B. A newly-promoted team in England gets €160m. How can we compete with Nottingham Forest? And how can I stop this tendency of the world economy?”
Galliani doesn’t seem to be a fan of the Financial Fair Play.
“Why can we only spend 70% of our incomes? If this rule stood when I was at Milan, we wouldn’t have had the great Milan. The gap will become bigger, like in society, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer,” he said.
Monza will make their Serie A debut this coming Saturday at 19.45 UK time.
“President Berlusconi only thinks about political elections and Monza, but I don’t know in which order. He still loves Milan, but Monza is in his heart now,” said Galliani.
The former Milan director was asked his thoughts on Juventus boss Max Allegri who was the last coach to win a Scudetto at Milan during the Berlusconi era.
The Tuscan coach is under fire after completing Juventus’ first trophyless season in 11 years in 2021-22. The Bianconeri also had an inconsistent pre-season which ended on Sunday with a 4-0 loss against Atletico Madrid.
Nevertheless, Galliani still sees Allegri as a winner.
“He is like Giovanni Trapattoni. He thinks that winning is the only thing that matters,” he said.
“I don’t understand why fans criticise the coaches who win. Allegri is a big coach and winner, and it’s not true that his teams play badly.”
You are right Max is a big coach and a winner
Yet they had a far better window
Emeritus Professor Gump would disagree with you. I think Conte started a winning cycle at Milan before Allegri won or at least that’s what happened on his PS2.
Makes a great point about revenues. Italian teams will always be behind because of this. But they don’t help themselves with the situations in stadiums.
“The gap will become bigger, like in society, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer,” he said.
Pretty rich comment coming from Silvio’s little man !
Good luck uncle fester ! Looking forward to see Monza play in Serie A.