The torrid time at AC Milan continues as they enter another period of uncertainty. Once again this year a coaching change has occurred as Milan have parted company with Clarence Seedorf, after being installed and entrusted with the role as recently as January.
Inexperienced Seedorf was always going to have a tough challenge ahead of him. Not having all his coaching badges and never being a coach before all played against him as Milan looked for a saviour.
In hindsight one could say Seedorf should have carefully considered the magnitude of the Milan role in their current unstable position. Yet the allure of Milan was too much and brought forward his retirement.
Despite Seedorf taking 35 points in his short tenure on the sidelines his training and player selection were questioned as well as his relationships with certain players and board members. Murmurings of discontent were never far away.
Milan have now discarded Seedorf and hired fervent fan favourite Filippo Inzaghi. Inzaghi has been in charge of Milan’s Primavera team for the last two years following his retirement. He won Milan’s first Torneo di Viareggio trophy in over ten years this season.
Taking the reins at Milan is a perilous job currently. Inzaghi is more experienced than Seedorf but hasn’t coached at this level either. Can he make the step up? With more time to settle in and a pre-season he has time to hone the system and style he wants his team to play and which players suit his vision.
It is likely that Inzaghi will be asked to promote some of the youth players he has been in charge of into the senior team as Milan look to freshen their squad with young blood. Without Champions League football and complying with UEFA Financial Fair Play, Milan will hope this will be a more sustainable solution as they may shirk movement in the transfer window. Additionally the cost cutting of the wage bill will make youth promotion even more cost effective.
Added to this is how Inzaghi will handle the relationship and communication to chief executive Adriano Galliani and his subsequent battle with Barbara Berlusconi.
While enduring all of this Inzaghi needs to have his team competitive on the pitch. After finishing eighth last season and missing out on Europe for the first time since 1998, Inzaghi could benefit from a less demanding schedule without European football. Milan fans all know that the last time they missed out on Europe the following season they went on to win Serie A. Unfortunately this time they can’t call upon such high calibre personal.
Revered Inzaghi will have to get the best from his players so there is verve and vigour back in the performances combined with tenacity and panache to get Milan fans excited again.
Milan is a tough ask for any coach in their current position. There may be trepidation from fans that Inzaghi could go the same way of Seedorf and see another stalwart reputation bruised by coaching. A more experienced coach could have been an option, Roberto Donadoni was linked to the role, but with restricted finances Inzaghi proves a cheaper option.
Milan’s former striker will need a comprehensive overhaul of the players in a rigorous manner to get the team back to their prominent selves. While off the field, the club must agree to have a clear direction that everyone is moving in to get the rapturous Milan crowd roaring once more.
Follow Tom Rowland via Twitter @TWRowland
