Alessandro Nesta has given his take on the current chaos at AC Milan, urging the ownership to give a sense of direction and clarity.
Nesta is someone who knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level. Born in 1976, he won the 2006 World Cup with Italy. With Milan, he won two Champions League titles, three league titles, and an Intercontinental Cup.
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He currently coaches Avellino, the club he just joined. There have already been rumours claiming that he has asked his former side for Christian Comotto on loan, yet the phone lines at Casa Milan probably do not have anyone at the other end, given the power vacuum.
Nesta spoke in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport in view of the 2026 World Cup, one that sees Italy absent again. He also spoke about his beloved Rossoneri and the confusion that reigns.
Why is yours still the national team that Italians are most fond of?
“After us, there was a void, no success apart from the European Championship. We were part of a sensational generation, and we also won. Today, there are no longer iconic players like those who were part of our group, and obviously the results influence the judgment.”
Have you ever wondered why?
“Multiple factors contributed. We lost our Italian identity and started copying, while clubs also lacked interest in young players. And it must also be said that clubs aren’t protected: they might invest in young players for years and years, only to then see them taken away.
“If we really want to focus on youth development, we also need new laws to protect them. And coupled with this: players must be given the freedom to express themselves. Today, there’s too much tactics.
“From 12-13 years old, we talk about set-pieces and formations when, instead, they should be developing talent and dribbling. Today, pardon the expression, we raise chickens, all the same, good at dribbling but lacking creativity.”
The same goes for Serie A: the most recognisable faces in the world are still yours. Why haven’t we been able to renew ourselves?
“Things are progressing at the same pace. The national team is losing interest because it’s not winning, and strong players are drawn to other leagues, when once everyone’s dream was Serie A.
“We haven’t managed to build a league that could stand on its own two feet; we’re the spoiled children of families like Berlusconi, Moratti, and Sensi. Since then, we haven’t evolved, especially in terms of stadiums and infrastructure, as they have done elsewhere.”
This also applies to your Milan: did you expect the final descent with Allegri?
“Max has responsibilities, as do all players. But Milan’s real problem has been the great internal confusion within the club. At the same time, and for the same reason, I don’t think it’s difficult to put things right.”
Where does your confidence come from?
“It’s not difficult to restructure a club if you put the right people in the right roles. Each one has specific tasks and responsibilities: that’s how you start over, with a clear vision.”
You shared the Milan dressing room with Ibrahimovic: did you have any further contact?
“I have a very good relationship with Zlatan, but I can’t judge him as a manager. He was a great team-mate, that’s for sure. But the order needed in a club has to come from the top, and I repeat, I don’t see it as very difficult.”
Does the new Milan need a great striker or a great defender?
“Absolutely a great centre-forward.”
Is there much more needed to finally become competitive again in the league?
“No, no. I think the foundation of the team is already strong as it is, the potential is there. A good goalkeeper, Pavlovic, who has improved a lot, a good midfield. Then it also depends on what happens in the summer transfer market.”
From a coach’s perspective: What kind of manager would you entrust with leading the new direction?
“Everything has to start with the sporting director. With a capable sporting director who chooses a good coach to his liking and together they define a strategy to achieve results, they can achieve it even in a short time.”
Championship grid: initial predictions for who will be ahead of the rest?
“Inter are ahead, Napoli are a must-see. I think a properly restructured Milan could finish second straight away.”
Back to the World Cup: who are your favourites?
“It will be a France-Spain final.”
If the goal is to destroy Milan, which is becoming an increasingly plausible theory with each passing day, then the right people are already in the right roles.
The goal has always been for Milan to sustain itself while Gerry gets the stadium off the ground, adds the NBA (or not) then sells this club to make a massive ROI.]
What clear direction or structured roles within the club can there be if this is your goal?
– I don’t wan’t to spend out of pocket.
– self sustain all the transfers.
– I don’t want anything ambitious.
– Buy & Sell players to fund whatever is needed.
– Maintain Top4 to avoid capital injection.
Basically maintain the club in a way as to not give Gerry any headaches while he gets to the point of offloading the club.
Am just thinking, are they others clubs behind Milan problems!
Rangnick will bring some class to this club.
Milan has been sucking since 2007.
I like how retarted tiffozeria heaps all the blame on Cardinale lol.
We will get back soon with pro german managers instead of dead italian bureaucrats
Forza!
And hopefully the pennies from RedBird will bring some class to you.
LOL.
Honestly, the Germans know how to build organizations with structure and streamlined, disciplined approach. They also trust young players and RB branches have incredible scouts, plus recruitment systems. They play intense abd offensive football. I’d be enthused with Rangick, Glasner.
He can appoint someone to do the day to day stuff until the end of the world cup. He can give opinions and make decisions as well even in the USA.