A Loyal Fan’s Disappointment
Arrigo Sacchi, a legendary figure in AC Milan’s history, recently voiced his candid opinion on the club’s current predicament, which has left many fans feeling disillusioned. After nearly a five-year stint with Stefano Pioli, during which Milan clinched the Scudetto and reached the Champions League semi-finals, the club decided to part ways with the Italian coach. The choice to replace Pioli was initially controversial, with the fans protesting against the potential hiring of Julen Lopetegui. This backlash led to a hasty change in strategy, resulting in the brief tenure of Paulo Fonseca, who managed just 24 games before being dismissed. In December, Sergio Conceicao took over, but his performance has only deepened the club’s woes.
The Current Struggles
Milan, under Conceicao, currently sits in ninth place in the Serie A, a far cry from the club’s storied past and the lofty expectations that come with it. The team has also been eliminated from the Champions League by Feyenoord, adding to the growing list of disappointments. Sacchi, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, did not mince words when assessing the impact of Conceicao’s arrival. "The arrival of Sergio Conceiçao has not brought the benefits that all the fans expected," he stated. The club’s performance, both domestically and internationally, reflects a lack of clarity and direction, something that Sacchi believes is crucial for any team to succeed.
Leadership and Vision
Sacchi emphasized the importance of clear leadership and vision, recalling his own experiences with Silvio Berlusconi. "If Berlusconi had to listen to what the fans or journalists thought of me, I would never have coached Milan: they called me Mr. Nobody," he said. Despite initial skepticism, Berlusconi stood firm in his belief in Sacchi, allowing him to build a team that was eventually recognized as the best club team in history by FIFA. This steadfast commitment to a long-term vision is what Sacchi believes is missing at Milan today. "What Milan must do now is quite simple, and it must be done, first of all, by the owners and the managers. Choose the right men to lead the rebirth, entrust a coach they trust with building the team, let him decide which players should be bought and which should be sold, and give this coach full support," he advised.
The Confusion and Its Roots
The current confusion at Milan, Sacchi argued, is not just a matter of tactical or technical issues. "It’s not a question of modules, of athletic preparation, of playing with two, three or four strikers. The truth is that, this season, Milan has almost never been a team, and when you’re not a team you don’t get very far." The lack of cohesion and collective spirit is evident on the pitch, and this, according to Sacchi, stems from the club’s recent management decisions. The constant changes and lack of faith in the coach’s abilities have created an unstable environment, affecting the players’ performance and morale.
Responsibility and Reflection
Sacchi stressed that the blame for Milan’s struggles should not be placed solely on Conceicao or the players. "The responsibilities, when things like this happen, in my opinion, are everyone’s. It can’t be just the coach’s fault, just as it can’t be just the players’ fault." He pointed out that key players like Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão, who were pivotal in the Scudetto-winning season, have shown inconsistencies. However, he also noted that this inconsistency might be a result of poor management and a lack of clear direction. "Evidently they were managed differently, and so we need to do some serious reflection on this."
A Call for Humility and Change
In conclusion, Sacchi called for a period of serious reflection and humility from all involved. "We must rely first of all on human qualities and then on technical ones: look first at the head and then at the feet." He suggested that the club’s owners and managers need to entrust the rebuilding process to someone they truly believe in, rather than making hasty decisions based on fan or media pressure. The path to success, as Sacchi sees it, involves a deep understanding of the club’s values and a commitment to a long-term strategy. Only by doing so can Milan hope to emerge from its current tunnel and return to the heights it once enjoyed.
