Former AC Milan head coach Fabio Capello has shared his thoughts on Paulo Fonseca’s outburst following Wednesday’s win over Red Star.
The post-match rant that Fonseca went on after the game have generated plenty of headlines, as he appeared to take aim at some individuals who he does not believe are giving their all for the cause.
The coach has made it clear on several occasions that he expects an improvement in attitude, such as when he spoke after the win over Real Madrid and admitted he was worried about getting the team fired up to face Cagliari a few days later.
Fonseca thinks the team is strong but wants more commitment, more dedication and more concentration from some players, especially in games that might not seem as big as others.
Capello was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport to talk about the dark cloud that looms over Milan despite the win in midweek, especially after Fonseca took aim at the team.
What do you think of Fonseca’s words?
“Yes, he used strong words but it is clear that there is something wrong in the team. He does not seem to feel at ease, his goal is to make the players responsible.
“But the main thing to understand is one… Are the players not following Fonseca, playing only the games they consider important such as the away match at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, or are there tactical ideas that are not shared?
“In the first case, the club should intervene and make their support felt for the Portuguese coach. In the second, mediation would be needed from a team leader, and in that case too, he should side with the coach, dragging the rest of the dressing room to their side.
“My doubt is this. I am certain that they are all in question. Seeing it from the outside, without experiencing the atmosphere inside the dressing room, taking sides is impossible.”
Has this happened to you in the past?
“Yes. Especially when I returned to Milan in the 1997-98 season: the team had not been built by me and above all I did not see the right spirit.”
What is wrong with Theo Hernandez?
“Unseen things are happening at Milan. It could be that the French left back has problems away from football, he is in a moment like that. If it was a whim, it would be different. But the certainty is that he is not the same Theo as last year.”
Davide Calabria has ended up in the dock too…
“He didn’t help against Red Star. As a man he seems fine, but as a captain I didn’t like at all the controversy he caused when he left the pitch when he was substituted.”
Have Francesco Camarda and Tammy Abraham set an example, as Fonseca says?
“He is completely right, because it is true that Milan is missing more players like them. The players are not performing as they should, they have little desire. When they lose the ball there is no grit in going to recover it, no aggression.”
Stefano Pioli, on the other hand, seemed to have a squad with chemistry…
“I can’t make comparisons with the past, also because the Milan coached by Pioli had a different midfield than the current one, it had a different quality. But yes, the former coach had managed to create a good group.”
How can they bounce back against Genoa?
“By running and helping each other. Everyone is in question, and the match against the Rossoblù will be a test for everyone.”
“Yes. Especially when I returned to Milan in the 1997-98 season: the team had not been built by me and above all I did not see the right spirit.”
Exactly. Capello hadn’t turned into a cr@p coach in the space of two years – the issue was he had to deal with PWA (Players With Attitude).
The following season, with a weaker squad Zaccheroni won the Scudetto, but Milan that summer gave him few players that fit his style of football, including Bierhoff and Helveg who came with him from Udinese.
No one will accuse Fonseca of being a top coach by any means, but just like in Capello’s case, this squad wasn’t built by him, nor for his style of football.
That’s a failure by Milan management for appointing a coach for a squad whose characteristics don’t fit the coaches football philosophy.
Just like in the CDK’s case. He didn’t forget how to play football at Milan. He just wasn’t a fit for the set up and style of football Milan played under Pioli.
Yea, but instead of standing behind the coach with a “shape up or ship out” message, Milan management is MIA.
Sir Capello are. You sure Theo is not. Just bad for the sake of been bad.
Because some here make it looks like
Theo is intentionally trying to sabotage the team to force a move. Or he is terrible because he is loves it for the giggles.
So going by his words, the team Fonseca met, some players are not supposed to be here. Now who do we place this blame on hmmm🤔🤔🤔.
Not that I know or anything but Theo looks like he has personal/family issues. (It could also explain why he gets the armband from Fonsy ie to show him support during a difficult time). 🤷♂️
You do realize that Theo has been Milan’s vice captain for a couple of years now?
He was wearing the captains armband last couple of seasons as well when Calabria wasn’t playing.
Fonsy didn’t give him the captains armband out of support but because he is the vice captain and the captain Calabria was injured and not playing.
The captains at Milan were assigned by management based on how long they have been with the club and not based on leadership qualities. Fonseca himself said that he didn’t really agree with that approach.
Not that I know or anything 🤷♂️
Capello: “The players are not performing as they should, they have little desire. When they lose the ball there is no grit in going to recover it, no aggression.”
OMG this trophyless cardinale milan.
From this, I can deduce that Fonseca isn’t the whole cause of the problem.
His ideas were not bought but the players needed the champions league to re-establish themselves.
Relax when in control and when facing weaker teams.
And all others…
Fonseca on his part miscommunicated his ideas and went overboard when team did not act accordingly.
If the management won’t sack him then he can go ahead and promoted some youths…
For me, it is ACMILAN from Italia 1990…
We all have our ideas and tactics as a fan and others alike but only one will instruct the team.
Let’s be constructive in our criticism…