Jens Petter Hauge has admitted that he still keeps up with how AC Milan are doing, and that he would love to try another spell in Serie A.
The story of how Hauge ended up at Milan is like something out of a movie script. He arrived a Bodo/Glimt player for a Europa League qualifier against Milan at San Siro in 2020, and he had a brilliant performance.
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We reported at the time that the Rossoneri directors were impressed by what they saw after having also scouted him previously, and that a bid would be submitted. One week later, the winger joined for €5m and signed a long-term deal.
However, he never really got the playing time that he perhaps needed to develop given he was stuck behind Rafael Leao. Hauge has since played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Gent and is now back at Bodo, where he is shining again.
Still a Milanista
Hauge spoke to Sky Sport Insider about his time as a Milan player and the potential of one day returning to Italy, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Tell us about joining Milan…
“The first time was special. I remember that on the day I signed with the club, I had to leave a press conference to run to the bathroom and take a photo to send to my friends and family.”
Do you still follow the Italian league?
“Yes. I still have many friends in Italy. I still watch Milan games and support them. I always enjoy following them.”
Will we see you again in Serie A?
“I know for sure that one day I’ll want to try another experience away from Bodø to test myself in one of Europe’s top leagues. I’d love to have another opportunity in Italy. We’ll see what the future holds.”
Sad that this guy didn’t get proper chance, with young players patience is needed.
He wasn’t suited for Milan’s tactics at that time. He is more effective in counter-attack tactics. Milan prioritised possession, and Hauge did not blend well with the team movements. He was often lost. His goals (e.g., against Napoli) were due to his individual quality.
Leao, on the other hand, could still do something in possession-based games.
He was a natural goal scorer. Gifted. Too bad he had Leao in front of him.
You’re right. The problem is the position Milan had got himself into at that time. On one hand, they couldn’t afford proven talents, but on the other hand, they were still too big of a club to invest that much time into youngsters without returns on the pitch. If the Scudetto season taught us anything, it’s that the right balance of proven, veteran talent, and youngsters with potential is needed.
I like Hauge, but he needs to be at a club who will allow him to be the starter. He will be huge after given that opportunity. I would say a mid table team that plays on the counter.
This !! It’s what maldini believed in, other than Orighi. If ghe right coach can develop Hauge and CDK into monsters against all team.
I don’t see it as an AC MIlan issue but a Hauge and Ståle Solbakken issue. He seriously couldn’t expect to play much more with us than he did as he only joined us in October and still played in 18 Serie A matches and 1 Coppa Italia and 5 Europa League matches. Had he shown more patience he could maybe have carved himself a better position with more minutes but the Norwegian international coach complained that he had to play more minutes if he wanted to keep his spot in the international team hence why he eventually left. In the end he hasn’t even come close to the ammount of international matches he played that year he arrived for us and his stats afterwards isn’t really too impressive so in my view he clearly messed up with his decision to leave the club.