‘Gattuso isn’t a caretaker’

Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli insists “Gennaro Gattuso is our Coach” as “to make him caretaker would kill him with the group straight away”.

The former midfielder replaced Vincenzo Montella today, and it appears he’s not just being asked to steady the ship before Carlo Ancelotti or Antonio Conte can take over in the summer.

“We restart with Gattuso, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Montella and his staff,” Mirabelli said, speaking to assembled reporters outside the Gran Gala del Calcio.

Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli insists “Gennaro Gattuso is our Coach” as “to make him caretaker would kill him with the group straight away”.

The former midfielder replaced Vincenzo Montella today, and it appears he’s not just being asked to steady the ship before Carlo Ancelotti or Antonio Conte can take over in the summer.

“We restart with Gattuso, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Montella and his staff,” Mirabelli said, speaking to assembled reporters outside the Gran Gala del Calcio.

“Today was a difficult day, but we want to give a shock. The decision was taken in the night, after the match we were in contact with China and we decided in this way.

“Gattuso is our Coach, to make him the caretaker would kill him with the group straight away. We’ve given him this great opportunity, we’ll see how he plays it.

“We were a bit unlucky against Torino, but it’s normal that after losing six games we had to win with a performance worthy of Milan. Time was up for that reason too.

“I’ve been working since this morning, so I don't know what Montella’s said [since].

“We still have some problems but we’re calm, we need to make up ground. We still believe.”