Sacchi says he ‘expected more’ than Fonseca: “I will be the first to applaud him” | OneFootball

Arrigo Sacchi was interviewed for today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport and shared his thoughts on AC Milan’s decision to hire Paulo Fonseca. Among other things, he stated that he expected a bigger name to replace Stefano Pioli.

Fonseca is reportedly just one step away from Milan, with a three-year deal worth €3m per season on the table. The official announcement should arrive at the start of June, after the friendly against Roma next week, and then work will begin on the mercato.

Speaking to the pink newspaper (see photo below), Sacchi shared his thoughts on Milan’s decision to appoint Fonseca. He expected a bigger name and would have preferred someone like Maurizio Sarri or Vincenzo Italiano.

Happy with the choice?

“If I’m honest: I expected a more important name. Or at least, since I’m Italian, I hoped that the directors would choose a coach from our homeland.”

Who, for example?

“Milan need a strategist, a coach who knows how to give the team a game and who through the game enhances the human material available. There are excellent coaches who would have been right for the Rossoneri.

“I think of De Zerbi, Sarri, Gasperini, Italiano, Motta who is not Italian but it’s as if he were… Those I have just mentioned know Serie A, they know the dynamics of our football, they have ideas and they have demonstrated it. Fonseca is all to be discovered.”

He coached Roma…

“Yes, but he didn’t amaze. Fonseca was very good in Ukraine, where he led Shakhtar Donetsk and won three consecutive league titles. In France, he claimed fifth and fourth place. Not exceptional results.”

Choice to fail, then?

“Let’s not exaggerate. Let’s say that it’s a choice to be evaluated through the work and the game proposal that will be offered to the public. Fonseca must be given the necessary time to assemble the team. There should be no prejudice. I will be the first to applaud him if Milan have fun and demonstrate that they are a courageous, modern, European team.”

What should Fonseca’s first moves be?

“First of all, he must know the players he will have to coach well. He must choose who is suitable for his Milan and who is not. And then he must give clear indications for the mercato. Based on the game he intends to develop, it is up to him to decide the interpreters. Otherwise, if they buy him players who aren’t suitable and then things go wrong, he pays, and that wouldn’t be fair.”

The role of directors will be fundamental, what do you say?

“The club comes before the coach, the coach comes before the team, and the team comes before the individual. This is the hierarchy if you want to achieve success. The directors, after choosing him, must help Fonseca.

“When I arrived at Milan, after a somewhat complicated start, Berlusconi called the players together and told them: ‘I have full faith in Arrigo. Whoever follows him will stay. Whoever does not follow him will leave.’  So he gave me strength and put me in the best conditions to work.”

What do you expect from a tactical point of view from Fonseca?

“I hope that he is able to interpret football in a modern way, that he is courageous and that he instils this courage in his players, that he is a strategist and not a tactician, that he has the desire to dominate his opponent.”

How will the fans welcome him?

“They are passionate and competent. I expect Fonseca to offer exciting football. To do this he will need reliable people, generous players.”

Sacchi is known for pushing his Italian agenda on Milan and one could certainly question why someone like Italiano would be more ready than Fonseca. One has experience from both Serie A and abroad, the other one hasn’t.