Seven time winners of the European Cup AC
Milan are in comparable crisis this term, languishing in mid-table obscurity,
closer to relegation than the upper echelons of Italian football in recent months.
So what’s gone wrong?
The true extent of turmoil at the club began
to unravel in the summer of 2010, with owner and CEO Silvio Berlusconi stating
that after a prolonged period (20+ years no less) of bankrolling transfers and
wages, it was now time to tighten the belt.
In his second stint as Italian Prime
Minister, Berlusconi was quickly getting to grips with the financial crisis
hitting the Eurozone which was akin to a wounded, leggy challenger, attempting
to fend off a heavyweight boxing champion in his prime.
Continuing to plough money into a football
team, no matter how illustrious, while the country flounders financially, does
not a good businessman or politician make.
However, to fans, pulling the plug after so
many years would always be a bitter pill to swallow. The Milanese have been
treated like a spoilt child over the years by ‘father’ Berlusconi, throwing
money at the team they love so adoringly.
But these things rarely last forever, and
such radical upheaval is never met welcomingly without sections of derision,
alas, the fans protested at the clubs training ground.
During the late knockings of the summer
transfer window, Berlusconi, as before, gave the fans want they wanted.
Completing major deals for marquee superstars
Robinho from Manchester City, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona.
Factor in transfer fees and wages; the deals
would cost Milan upwards of 70 million Euros, and the financial recoil of such
exuberate spending was felt over the next two seasons, the club reporting
losses of 130 million Euros.
However, with a strong nucleus of
experienced, big game players still at the club, the Milanese could breathe a
little easier knowing their team would continue to contest for top honours,
winning the Scudetto in 2010/11 and the 2011 Supacoppa Italia against bitter
city rivals Inter.
The following season with the help of Andrea
Pirlo, who had signed for Juventus after Milan released the midfield maestro on
a free, pipped them to top spot in Serie A by 4 points.
A year later the gap widened, with Milan
finishing 3rd, a gaping 15 points behind the old lady.
At the end of the 2012/13 season, we reach a
juncture not dissimilar to that of 2010, this time though, austerity beckoned
with no wavering to please to masses.
Defender Thiago Silva was sold to mega rich
PSG, a few days later star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed the Brazilian to
the French capital.
Those deals combined generated 60 million
Euros and freed up 35% of the wage bill.
A change in philosophy had begun, geared
towards signing younger (and cheaper) players, a mantra designed to tighten the
purse strings and build for the future.
The reasons being a combination of adapting
to the economic climate and the impending Financial Fair Play regulations,
which implement parameters on losses a club can sustain over time.
Smart move by the Milan board, nevertheless,
it could and probably should have happened sooner.
When talking about the numbers involved,
offloading Silva and Ibrahimovic can be seen as the obvious losses, if not good
business sense, but maybe not the biggest in terms of influence and reach
within the club.
The new direction the club was taking in
transfer policy meant that in order to make room for new blood, the veterans
who had provided such noble service year on year, defying ageist cynicism in
evergreen fashion, exit stage right.
Theirs something altogether romantic about
the commitment between club and player, in the circumstance where advancing
years is not seen as a negative stigma. More so, the club will work with the
elder statesman, getting the last ounce of quality out of their professional
while the player can stay in the show.
Turns out, the shows over.
Experienced players like Gennaro Gattuso,
Alexandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf whose combined contribution to AC Milan
spanned 32 years were shown the door. Also, Fillipo Inzaghi and Gianluca
Zambrotta both retired that summer, like captain, leader and icon Paolo Maldini
had done in 2009.
Leaving only Massimo Ambrosini as a
recognised member of the ‘old guard’ still on the clubs books, which together
had supplied the Rossoneri with much of its success spanning a decade or more.
His time was up at the end of the following
season, released on a free. Questa รจ la vita? (That’s life).
The abrupt manner of the changes and failure
to sufficiently replace their talismanic stars has left Milan a shadow of their
former self’s.
As a result, Massimiliano Allegri was
relieved of his managerial duties a poor run of results.
The show must go on, enter Clarence ‘the
saviour’ Seedorf?
Seedorf’s credentials as a player, particularly with Milan
are well documented, but for the sake of gratifying hero worship, and for those
of you who weren’t born to appreciate his talents or have been living under a
rock these past 20 years, the legendary Dutchman’s trophy cabinet includes two
Champions Leagues, two Scudetto’s and a Coppa Italia. Not bad.
In Seedorf’s maiden
managerial role, Milan have seen a steadying of the ship, currently sitting 9th
in Serie A on 35 points from 25 matches, 4 points off 6th placed
Verona and 5 points off rivals Inter who sit 5th. The team have won
4, drawn 1, and lost 3 in all competitions so far, with only 1 defeat coming in
the league.
As it stands, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to suggest he
could lead Milan to a Europa League place come the end of the season.
*Stats accurate to time of write up - approx 24th Feb*
**Follow up comment piece on a new era under Seedorf coming soon*
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