Fabio Cannavaro has revealed that he learned a lesson from AC Milan’s CEO Ivan Gazidis regarding the current state of Serie A and Italian football.
Gazidis has previously outlined his belief that Italian football has the biggest potential for growth in any country and that Milan are the club that have the biggest potential within it, and he has done so on more than one occasion.
Since arriving at the club, the former Arsenal chief – assisted by new owners Elliott Management – have embarked on a different vision from that of past ownerships and other Italian clubs. The aim has been to build sustainably through targeted investments on young players, with an exciting brand of football and a progressive commercial strategy.
Cannavaro spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport and in particular he touched on the current state of affairs surrounding Italy’s top flight, conveying his belief that some outdated attitudes are holding clubs back.
“I’m sorry, but our movement has become one of the worst in Europe. Even the American MLS is better organized, for infrastructure. And then also the club choices to sign players at the end of their career and invest little on young players,” he said (via MilanNews).
“The game has become impoverished and the league becomes less fascinating, even if we are convinced that we are the best tactically. However, there are elements that make us hope for a rebirth despite everything. On the level of the game we have a good national team, modern in terms of game concepts. Able to propose itself without ever being afraid. They have still only competed in qualifying matches, but I am convinced that they will be able to be protagonists in the European Championship and in the World Cup.
“Then, from the organisational point of view, I’m doing a Masters organised by FIFA. In recent days I have carefully followed the lesson of Ivan Gazidis. He explained that, paradoxically, Italian football has remained so far behind that it has the greatest room for growth. And I agree, the new foreign properties are investing for this reason.”
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