Criscitiello explains Maldini sacking and picks ‘only names’ for sporting director and coach | OneFootball

With AC Milan desperately needing a rebuild in the summer, there are multiple names being put forward for the roles. However, criticism has arisen for the targets.

On paper, Milan have a team that should be competing for the Scudetto every year. Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan, all fantastic names on paper, but this season they have been below the standard required.

Unfortunately, the best players this season, and last season, have been the ones that haven’t stolen the headlines – Tijjani Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Gabbia, for example.

The Rossoneri have a real issue with the idea of the quality within their squad, compared to the actual talent within it, that performs consistently, and this is a worry for Michele Criscitiello, who spoke about the situation for Sportitalia.

“Milan has sunk into crisis with its own hands. Sometimes the criticism reaches us before the interested parties. It’s like sitting at a poker table. The player looks at his cards over and over again. He thinks a hundred times about what to throw on the table, but someone comes by and sees the cards. The solution is simple.

“If you think about it too much, you make the wrong decision. At Milan they did everything by themselves. A mess. Anti-football.

“From Furlani to Moncada from Ibra to the choices of the Portuguese on the bench. They had guessed half of them right. Two wasted transfer sessions. First the summer and then the winter. And no one will be able to tell us: afterward, we’re all good. We said these things right away.

“Those who regret Maldini are wrong. Paolo had won, true. He had put things in order, true. The attitude, however, was not Milan-like.

“Maldini believed he was the owner and not an employee. Of course, if the person who comes after is called Ibra, then Paolo becomes a giant as a manager. Now we need to clarify. We are talking about coaches. If you don’t take the Director first, there is no point in naming coaches. Here too, however, we will get there. The first thing is to completely reset the company. In all its components.

“You cannot start again with just one name from those currently in charge. Who chooses the Director? This is the first question to ask. Ibra? God forbid. Furlani? As he himself admits, he is not a football man and therefore cannot choose the DS.

“Luckily for Milan, Berta will not arrive. Overrated profile. Mendes, the man, executor and not decision maker. Club manager but not Director. Not needed. Tare? We need Italian management. Tare has been in our country for 100 years, but the result does not change.

“Milan needs a Manager who has already played to win and not to make capital gains or fourth places. Too much chatter has surrounded Tare in Rome and working with Lotito is one thing, working at Milan is another.

“Paratici is the only name that can be spent for Milan. Someone at Milan is snobbish and lets us know that Paratici has been disqualified, but if we start playing this game, then 99% of the clubs should not have a manager. Let’s leave the puritans, or fake ones, at home. Paratici is the right man to restart Milan.

There is only one name to block immediately for the bench. RDZ! Roberto De Zerbi. Crazy not to have taken him last year, double madness if today the new Director does not drive to Marseille and does not go to block him despite his contract with the French.

“De Zerbi is coming off great years in Ukraine, England and France. He is the young and modern coach. The players love him. The fans adore him. He has Milan in his blood. Raised as a child in the Rossoneri youth team with the Motta shirt on his chest, he has Milanist DNA, even if his faith is Brescia. Milan must not think of anything else.

“Fabregas? The new Thiago Motta. Yet another foreigner. It is one thing to coach Como, another to coach Milan. Without experience. Plus, if we want to tell the whole truth, with the team that Como has they should have at least 10 more points. I don’t see any other solutions.

“Sarri would be the other right name. Great coach, winner, man of honor and without compromise. You won’t like the tracksuit. Amen. The Sarri of Naples, Turin and Rome is a great profile for all the clubs that want to win again. Today, however, Milan has two big aces up its sleeve.

“Without thinking too much. Paratici is on the chair and De Zerbi is on the bench. If they make the wrong choice this time too, then, let’s call it a day and think about selling the club. Because football is not just about numbers and appearance.”

Unfortunately, there is now a risk of further appointments being made with the idea of their quality, rather than established results, which you feel would only further hinder their chances of success.