So AC Milan suffered yet another disappointing result this weekend and remain stuck in mid-table mediocrity.

Reports in Italy suggest that young untested coach Pippo Inzaghi could be sent packing as the Italian giants seek on-field improvement.

Now maybe getting rid of Inzaghi would benefit the team but only if the club take a step back and make even more institutional changes that can rejuvenate the Rossoneri’s fortunes.

If they do get rid of Inzaghi, a club hero who seems like a manager out of his depth and short of any productive tactical changes, then they need to make the right appointment with his successor. The young club legend who has little or no experience hasn’t worked with Pippo or Clarence Seedorf, so maybe its time to appoint an innovative foreign boss or an experienced coach that has been in Serie A for a while.

Vincenzo Montella’s name has been mentioned as a possible successor for Inzaghi’s job but would he leave European challengers Fiorentina for Milan at this time? Only if he’s promised a large transfer war-chest.

But for the new boss to succeed, bigger changes need to be made within the club.

If President Silvio Berlusconi no longer has the bunga, sorry wonga then he should step aside and allow fresh ideas and investment take hold of the club. I can’t believe that a rich investor can’t be found to invest in a project that involves a team that has eighteen scudetto titles and seven Champions League honours. In fact if rumours are true then Thai business mogul Bee Taechaubol has already pledged €250m for a 25% or 30% stake in the football club. This could be a move in the right direction.

Current CEO Adriano Galliani has been instrumental in a lot of Milan’s successes since his arrival in 1986 but alas his involvement now seems to be detrimental. At seventy years of age, Galliani is in danger of permanently damaging his legacy. Maybe more administrative duties could be handed to Silvio’s daughter Barbara. Plus they could maybe look at bringing in an experienced director of football to help with player recruitment and day to day running of football business.

The player roster needs to be look at.

Everything needs to be done to sever all ties with Robinho. The Brazilian has never reached his potential and can bring a club down with his inconsistent performances. While Philippe Mexes only seems to have one decent game a season left in him. These big wage packets need to be offloaded asap!

Older stalwarts Luca Antonelli, Alex, Daniele Bonera plus non-scoring strikers like Alessandro Matri and Giampaolo Pazzini should also leave to free up space and wages.

Michael Essien has lost the legs that once made him a formidable footballer. The midfielder has been linked with a move Stateside and that transfer would be best for all concerned.

Loan signings Alessio Cerci and Mattia Destro haven’t improved things and Milan probably need to step away from that short term thinking.

The squad looks to be ageing by the minute and full of nearly men or average players that as a unit look extremely vulnerable.

Players like Andrea Poli, Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio and Adil Rami need to come of age now or look elsewhere for a new start. While Sulley Muntari is a decent squad player, he can’t be viewed as key personnel.

Club captain Riccardo Montolivo has never been as dynamic for Milan as he was for Fiorentina. He’s been fairly subdued this term with disappointing performances and niggling injuries. I’m unsure he can ever return to his best form.

Stephan El Shaarawy has all the tools to become a fantastic forward but needs to break his current injury curse. I really hope the twenty-two year old can once again shine at the San Siro and for the Azzurri. If that is to happen then he’ll also need to start to consistently score and providing plenty of chances for others.

Players like Giamcomo Bonaventura and Keisuke Honda have tried there best to lift things but need more help from teammates.

The two standout Milan players, for me, would be Jeremy Menez and Nigel De Jong.

De Jong is a midfield marshall that every AC Milan side has enjoyed over the years. Like Gennaro Gattuso, Frank Rijkaard and Massimo Ambrosini before him he is tasked with winning the ball back. His steely character and tough tackling can help boss the midfield as long as partners are then on hand to keep possession and get the ball forward.

Frenchman Menez has been a bit of a talismanic figure for Milan since joining from PSG in the summer. The creative forward likes bagging a goal and running directly at the opposition. Just needs a few more around him to help him out. Jeremy also leads the way on the scoring front with thirteen strikes to his name.

If real investment can be found then it needs to be spent wisely.

Plus Milan need to try and hold on to key players. Due to the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules they have sold off talent like Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli but they need to bring in better replacements. Not just average Serie A talent or has-beens.

If they do have money to spend this summer then they should go out and try and sign players like; Stevan Jovetic, Paulo Dybala, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Nicolas Gaitan, Daniele Baselli, Stefan Savic,  Ezequiel Garay and Franco Vazquez.

Now I am not saying for a second they can sign all of them or even the majority of these players but at least challenging for their signatures shows intent. Getting in one or two of them will bolster the side dramatically!

Also look at clubs like Palermo, Roma, Sampdoria, Udinese and Fiorentina. These clubs will have worked on a fraction of the budget that the ‘rossoneri’ have had, yet they are run properly, have good coaching set-ups and scouting networks in place. You can learn a lot from these teams.

Maybe its time for more academy players to get a chance this season before it disappears into oblivion.

I know Milan are contemplating a new stadium that will allow more long-term finances. That’s great (although I do love the San Siro) but they can’t do an Arsenal and not spend money on the team. They could fall even further behind the likes of Napoli, Roma and champions Juventus. That will drive fans away from the once illustrious club and the new stadium!

So unless major changes are made within the club and not just with the coach, I can’t see Milan improving dramatically or even stopping the current decline.

Posted on March 8th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article