Kessie criticises Milan: “Giampaolo wasn’t given the time to do what he wanted” | OneFootball

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has admitted he ‘feels sorry’ for Marco Giampaolo after he was sacked as head coach last week.

The Rossoneri hit the reset button just seven games into the season as Giampaolo was dismissed last Tuesday, with Stefano Pioli named as his successor 24 hours later.

The former Sampdoria boss lasted just 111 days in charge – the shortest reign of any manager in the club’s history – but lost four of his first seven games in charge, something which proved to be fatal.

Kessie and his team-mates will be looking to put the inconsistency behind them starting with Lecce on Sunday, but the Ivorian has revealed his belief that Giampaolo wasn’t given enough time.

“We heard the news while I was with the national team,” he told SportMediaset.

“We are players and we must always give the maximum, regardless of the coach or staff chosen, reacting like professionals.

“Giampaolo gave a system of play, but he wasn’t given the time to do what he wanted. When you wear the Milan shirt, however, there’s no time, because there’s pressure. I’m sorry for the coach.

“There was a lot of work to do, but it takes time to do everything. Giampaolo started coaching without having a few players, we arrived later and had to be integrated later.

As mentioned, Pioli was confirmed as his successor via a statement on the club’s official website.

“I’ve never worked with Pioli and now I have this possibility. I have to see what the coach wants to do in order to do it on the pitch,” Kessie continued.

“We are ready to give our best, mentally we are strong and fired-up to give even more. We started badly, now we have to fight to the end to fight for the objective.

“We are determined. We were with Giampaolo as well, only time was lacking. We’re the same players as last year, we have to give our all and fight to the end.”

Kessie scored the winning penalty in Milan’s last game, a 2-1 win against Genoa, but Krzysztof Piatek had taken the two spot kicks before that.

The former Atalanta man was asked about who has the responsibility.

“The coach said the penalty taker is the striker, because the penalty gives confidence to the striker. When the attacker doesn’t score then he needs to score 1-2 goals to feel better.

“I get along well with everyone and I joke with everyone in the dressing room. Piątek is a striker and when a striker doesn’t score then he’s not doing well. Now he’s back and he’s fired-up, leaving for the national team did good to him.

“I ask my teammates to do like we’ve done so far: always reacting as professionals. That’s football, you can’t always win every game. We always have to work hard to get the smile back.”

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