“I want to create a new culture”, “I believe in Milan” – All the key quotes from Cardinale and Amorim

Earlier today, Gerry Cardinale and Ruben Amorim spoke to the media and there are several statements that we can take note of at AC Milan.

Today was the second or third step in the new era at Milan. After arriving in Milano and going around the training ground, Amorim hosted a press conference to introduce himself to the media and he was accompanied by Cardinale.

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For Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao, it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic alongside the coach and Giorgio Furlani sat alongside Massimiliano Allegri last season. So, the American sitting next to his coach is a big thing.

After all, you would argue that Ibrahimovic and Furlani were probably the most notable figures in those seasons. So, whilst it’s not a vocal message, Cardinale sent a message before a word had even been said.

Cardinale’s words

We’ll start with the American, who also started the proceedings today, and his full speech is worth reading. However, there are two main things that we picked out.

“You’ve seen how much has changed since the end of last season. For the first time since I’ve been the owner, there will be many new things.

“I want to create a new culture. Enough with the past. I’m here now, I’m the front-line manager . But behind me is a whole team. We’ll make sure that the actions we take speak for themselves.”

In recent years, Cardinale has not been the most vocal, so this is already a welcomed start. However, there are no promises outlined. Instead, the American has focused on the actions taken and the actions he will take moving forward.

As has been reported, this is a clear reset and Cardinale is stating as much, whilst perhaps admitting his own faults previously. Of course, he knows the situation with the fans and this may be his chance to rewind and get them back onside.

He cannot do much, but facing up to the media publicly – something which he didn’t do in his last interview – and taking responsibility for the past and now future (in different ways), can only be appreciated.

Amorim’s press conference

There is plenty that can be picked through and we’ve already been through the quotes about important players for the future. So, we’ll focus on the other key topics here, but again, it’s a must read in full.

“I want to apologise for not speaking Italian today. I’m sorry for the fans. I need to learn Italian to respect your culture, and I’ll try to do so as soon as possible.”

It doesn’t need to be said much, but there’s already that basic level of respect for the club and the fans. It is common, of course, but it’s a very welcome start for the new man. An acknowledgement of a small ‘issue’, if you like, and a promise to fix that.

Not major, but it’s a meticulous focus on the small things that bodes well long term.

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“I feel a responsibility to be here. It’s a very difficult championship to win. We’re here not to avoid losing, but to win. It’s a great challenge.

“Of course. It’s difficult. But be careful, beyond words comes action. I know full well it’s a challenge. It’s always more than a phrase or a slogan: it means being part of someone iconic’s history.

“It’s the kind of challenge I like to take on. I’m happy. I’ll be happy having tried, even when that trying doesn’t yield excellent results. Now I’m hungry for success; I believe in AC Milan.”

This is certainly interesting because there’s no talk of the Scudetto when discussing the aims off his own back. He did later say that he wants to win the title, but that was when asked directly about it, but that’s an obvious answer.

For this, there’s also no ‘top four’ answer, which got driven down everyone’s throats last season under Massimiliano Allegri. It’s a focus on the challenge and a chance to be part of history, rather than setting a specific aim.

In the past two seasons, the Scudetto and the top four were public aims for the club. Neither was achieved and all three coaches fell for that reason. This is a nice change, then.

“We don’t just look at names, we look at profiles: we scout and see what’s behind them.

“We have to adapt to the transfer market: I have to evaluate the team, explain the profiles, clarify any doubts. Then Bobby talks about it with Almstadt and Hendrik talks about it with the club.”

“We still need to thoroughly explore each player’s characteristics, see how they react and, above all, whether they want to be here. We need to understand this before the transfer window closes, but in any case, I’m very happy with the current team.”

This is an interesting one, because it offers a basic understanding of what the mercato process looks like. He identifies that the evaluation process is his and then he offers an archetype for the others to look through.

With him being a more powerful head coach, he can also recommend names or give his blessing to them – as seen with Mario Gila. Already, there is that clear structure built, and that should eliminate some of the issues from the recent seasons about who makes the recruitments.

“I hope you can see something from the start. I know there’s never enough time in football. It’s a long-term project, but from the first match onwards we’ll have to play in a way that shows what the coach wants from the players.

“I can tell you how I want to play. I have enormous respect for Allegri; he has so much experience. I don’t want to talk about the past, but I can tell you how I want to play: we have to dominate the opponent and defend well. We want to win and dominate the game.”

Finally, we have a small word on his playing style. There are no promises, but like with what Cardinale said, there is a drive to win. Not to not lose, as there may have been previously. From the American, it is potentially a dig towards Allegri.

However, it is a clear stance from Amorim on the style of football that he wants his team to play and ultimately, what Milanisti want. A team that wins, however it happens, but a team that wins.

There is also the long-term motivation to dominate and he also referenced this in his aims: “The main goal now is to dominate the championship; we’ll see about the rest [meaning Europe].”

In other words, the style of play should be front-footed and aggressive; above all, it should be entertaining and effective. We shall see.

A good start

Having covered four different openings from four different managers now, it is easy to get lost in words. So, as Cardinale said, actions mean more. However, this is about as good an entrance press conference as we’ve seen recently.

It’s professional, each word feels perfectly picked and the motive seems consistent throughout. If his football is anything like this, the Rossoneri should have some fun with Amorim at the helm.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the full press conference, it can be watched below – in English.