Pellegatti’s brilliant open letter to Cardinale as Milan have lost ‘perfect alchemy’

The well-known journalist Carlo Pellegatti has weighed in on the recent debate regarding how Gerry Cardinale is operating AC Milan. Publishing an open letter of sorts, the journalist managed to hit the nail on the head. 

Recent comments by the American owner, made in a study by Harvard University, have caused a stir among Milan fans and many have weighed in. The latest to do so is Carlo Pellegatti, a legendary journalist who has been following the Rossoneri closely for a very long time.

Publishing his open letter for MilanNews, he discussed the ownership before RedBird’s takeover, the changes made since and some inaccuracies in Cardinale’s comments. Above all, there seems to be a great lack of respect for the fans.

“Gerry Cardinale has made a mistake and is making a mistake. Both in terms of sports management and communication. He bought a strong and organised Milan, with the right chemistry in all sectors. He then proceeded to cancel it, without remedying the mistakes, despite the fact that sporting success is lacking.

“I remember when Elliott Management became the owner of the Club. The wise guys, i.e. the know-it-alls who are rarely right, predicted a catastrophe. ‘They only think about money. They don’t care about sports results. They will sell the best players’. None of that happened.

“In fact, the Singer-owned fund brought the accounts back to normal levels, a splendid job combined with the unforgettable 19th Scudetto. A masterpiece! But there was also another unforgettable result of all this: the return of the enthusiasm, affection, and harmony among Milan fans that we hadn’t remembered for many, too many years.

“In short, Milan had become a virtuous example to follow. Yes, thanks to a fund! In London, Gordon Singer was the point of reference for the new Milan. He quickly fell in love with the club. Many ruled out that he could have been so involved in the Rossoneri environment at the beginning of his adventure.

“Giorgio Furlani was a careful and serious person in charge of the administrative part, but with Rossoneri colours always in his heart. He was the one who signed off on things, and he was the one who rejected them. He was also a great protagonist – acting in first person – of the solution to the dispute between Leao, Lille and Sporting Lisbon.

“At Casa Milan, we had Ivan Gazidis who was excellent in terms of attention, dedication and experience, maintaining relations between London and Milan, mediating, sewing, and overcoming every natural obstacle – always for the good of the club.

“Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara took care of the sporting part, ensuring the growth of the squad. The former for his history and attachment to the club, the latter for his international experience of the market. Of course, also with some errors of judgment that in football are always possible.

“Every now and then, people insinuated that Maldini was too cumbersome a figure. As if history hadn’t taught us of a strong personality, sometimes uncomfortable, but fundamental to the fortunes of those around him. And always with Milan at the core of every evaluation.

“With Geoffrey Moncada and his collaborators; European excellence in the role as head of scouting. Finally, at Milanello, Stefano Pioli, a coach who cultivated good relations with the Casa Milan directors. In short, as mentioned, a perfect alchemy, a winning team that only had to continue its profitable work. The only thing left to do was replace Ivan Gazidis, even if it wasn’t an easy task.

“Instead, the revolution arrived, even if Milan like to call it ‘evolution’. I don’t know why Gerry Cardinale didn’t continue on the previous line, whether it was on his own initiative or he received advice, evidently poor advice.

“The paradox is incredible. Milan is led by an ownership that is continuing on the virtuous line in terms of finance and economy, with a further extraordinary improvement in the accounts. In short, it should have general applause among the fans. Instead, it has managed to become one of the ownerships with the lowest consensus in history.

“There are many reasons for this. A fundamental aspect is the failure to reconcile, as also happened in the past with the Elliott fund, the accounts with the sporting ambitions. And in terms of communication, the impression is always the same: the fan is always just a number to be presented to potential investors.

“Let’s come to another point that is dear to many Rossoneri fans. Silvio Berlusconi, according to Cardinale has ‘bought’ the Scudetti, signing the best players without worrying about the costs. This is what I read in his interview.

“To reduce Berlusconi’s successes to merely economic power is a serious mistake, almost offensive. Berlusconi was a precursor for ideas, visions, initiatives, attention to detail and particulars thanks to perfect communication, a relationship which always had total respect for the media and the fans.

“I don’t know if the current ownership is interested in having the consensus of the Rossoneri fans, or if it wants to continue to ignore the protests. I repeat, this fracture is unfortunate, because Milan continues to grow in terms of the accounts.

“However, Cardinale should just accept it: the Milan fans certainly look at the positive accounts but, like all EUROPEAN fans, they look above all at other numbers. Those of goals scored and conceded, points in the standings, victories, draws and defeats.

“Finally, a piece of advice for Gerry Cardinale. If he’s interested in gaining some points in the eyes of the Milan fans, spend a few hours among them, talk to them, savour their dedication, their desire for Milan. You will get to know a new world. A world that perhaps does not know what ‘equity’ means, but knows two beautiful words, warmer than any number: PASSION AND LOVE.”

A brilliant open letter by Pellegatti, it must be said, and we are sure that most Milan fans will agree with his statements. Perhaps Cardinale will read this too…