Fassone: “Gattuso’s impact unexpected; we will discuss Romagnoli renewal”

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan director Marco Fassone has admitted that even he had no idea Gennaro Gattuso would have such a positive impact.

The Rossoneri removed Vincenzo Montella in November, and Gattuso has led the Rossoneri on a charge since.

A win over Roma on Sunday night propelled the Rossoneri to within seven points of the UCL places.

“Gattuso has done the simple things that a Coach with more experience than him would have done,” Fassone told Radio Anch’io Sport.

“Maybe even we didn’t expect this and we can only take our hats off to his work. I also have to congratulate [sporting director Massimiliano] Mirabelli, who pushed me to make this choice.

“Will Gattuso stay on? In the end the results will take us forward. There’s an agreement with Rino and a very nice relationship, especially with Mirabelli.

“At the moment, for superstitious reasons, we don’t want to talk about the future. We’ll focus on Lazio and then Inter.

“He’s proven himself to be a talented coach, and to have the great technical features. That being the case, it would be very difficult to lose him.

“We had been hoping to go ahead with Montella, but there was a moment in November when we realised the investments weren’t living up to what we expected.

“We strongly believed in this squad though, and we didn’t intervene in January. After a long discussion with Mirabelli, we decided Gattuso could help us.

“The most surprising thing, however, is the speed of Gattuso in making the team motivated and able to achieve results. The lads believe in him, things have changed, winning helps you win.

“The top four? We must always believe, because in football you can never say never.

Fassone also discussed the future of defender Alessio Romagnoli and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was linked with a move to PSG recently.

“I think Donnarumma’s future is here. He loves Milan and he’s the future of Italian football. Yesterday he celebrated his 19th birthday with 100 Serie A appearances.

“We want to keep him, we hope that’s what he wants too.

“Romagnoli? In the coming weeks we’ll sit down with his agent, it’s not a priority but we’ll talk about it [a renewal] soon.”

Fassone responded to comments from former president Silvio Berlusconi, insisting Milan should not play with just one striker.

“The President has said that to me so many times too,” Fassone confessed.

“I listen to him, because he’s one of the Presidents who has won the most of anyone in the world. I know he spoke to Gattuso personally, but Rino is consistent.

“He chooses the formation, despite the suggestions of President Berlusconi.”

Tags AC Milan Alessio Romagnoli Gennaro Gattuso Gianluigi Donnarumma Italy Milan News Notification Rossoneri Serie A
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