Stefano Pioli has admitted that he is not enjoying seeing his old club AC Milan going through such a difficult moment, while also speaking about the late Davide Astori.
Milan made the decision to part ways with Pioli after nearly five years at the club following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, and it would be fair to say that things have not gone to plan.
His replacement Paulo Fonseca lasted less than 25 games before being given his marching orders, and Sergio Conceicao is doing even worse in terms of points per game pace.
On a day like today though matters on the field feel so inconsequential. It is eight years to the day since Astori passed away, someone that Pioli was incredibly close to.
The current Al-Nassr boss spoke to Sky Italia about what the defender meant to him and to Fiorentina, also commenting on Milan, with his comments relayed by Calciomercato.com.
This date carries a special but sad significance…
“It is impossible to forget this date. It is equally impossible not to have positive memories of what Davide was. A fantastic guy, with whom I was lucky enough to share something important, who left his mark on all of us.”
You have a tattoo dedicated to Astori…
“Yes, I carry it with me. Davide is inside me not only for this symbol, but because I immediately understood that he would be an incredible person to work with and a great captain.
“We could have direct but sincere discussions: his sincerity and his contagious desire brought all of us forward. We spoke with many of his former teammates to carry forward Davide’s values.”
What do you carry with you?
“His smile. I had an office where the players had to walk past me to go to breakfast. He was always the first and always had a smile on his shoulder. I carry his positivity inside me.”
How difficult was it to go through?
“It was difficult and complicated, we lived through an unimaginable situation. We supported each other and overcame the difficulties by following Davide’s example. It wasn’t my merit, but the players, the fans and the club. We managed to keep his name high, it wasn’t easy.”
Why did you pick him as captain?
“There were two very strong personalities, him and Milan Badelj. I chose Davide by speaking to both of them because he knew everything that needed to be done.
“From the first meeting I had positive feelings. He was the first to find solutions to the difficulties. He was a true captain, responsible and present.”
Are you sorry to see Milan in this state?
“Very much. Of course I’m sorry… I’m far away at the moment, but I’m sorry for my players, for the fans, because something magical and exciting was created in Milan. I hope to find that energy again.”
Oh papa Pioli, hindsight I guess but mamma mia, you’re looking more like Ancelotti every day. Maybe we should have promoted you to director and hired a new coach.
Piolio was good man
That’s why karma struck redbird with 100 million damage in loss.
Karma is not just striking Redbird but the fan base that also kicked against his continuity. Some fans are just hypocrites. Till date some fans are still vomiting rubbish against Paolo Maldini.
Pioli always conducted himself with class.
When you fire a guy who in the last 4 seasons finished 2nd – 1st -4th and second again, you better be damn sure you’re replacing him with someone better. And Pioli never had the strongest squad to work with. Pioli was maybe a little limited tactically but on the player management side he was very good. The players loved him and he got the best out of most of them.
I think Fonseca tactically is better than Pioli but maybe not as good on dealing with players.
Conceicao is terrible at both tactics and player management.
Probably should not have fired Pioli for Fonseca.
Definitely should not have fired Fonseca for Conceicao.
The team is in a terrible place right now.
Yeh I was never a #PioliOut guy but concede that it was time for him to go toward the end- but as you say only for an upgrade.. Instead we downgraded and now need another upgrade.. a complete 💩 show…
You are probably the same fan Who screamed “Pioli out” 😅 actually concecao is better than Pioli and Fonseca. Milan players aren’t putting efforts. Concecao had group of god professional while in Milan we have alot of suckers in the Field.. concecao get used to coach quality no quantity
It was the chemistry and family-like environment between Pioli, Maldini and Massara that worked the scudetto-winning magic. Which Red Bird came and destroyed instantly…
This 🤝
RedTurd came and they treated players like a bunch of assets that can be turn into money anytime they want.
That’s romanticizing things a bit. After all Maldini wanted to get rid of Pioli right after they won the Scudetto.
This is true. But think about the scudetto winning squad. Objectively speaking we had no business winning that title. Our squad was simply not good enough. But there was some magic, some X factor in that team. And Pioli managed that togetherness really well.
True. We probably had the 4th best squad in Serie A that season. A little bit of magic and a little bit of luck. Everything fell into place.
please get your facts check
Pioli never have problems with his players. He always respect and treated them like his family. That’s why he always got the best of his players. Go compare how good Theo, Leao, or Pulisic is under Pioli vs they under Fonseca and Conceicau.
Now we got manager like Fonseca and Conceicau who treated their players like their punching bag. They scream, scream, scream, and at the end of match they want to punch the players just because they gave a different opinion or some disagreement with the sub / tactics.
No wonder we’re at 9th and next season we’re not qualify for CL or even EL. SMH 🤦♂️
All of this ‘fans’ who chanted and insisted ‘pioli out’ all these years get their karma now for being a smart ass
Karma for RedBird
Lets be honest, Pioli is mediocre coach . I know it, you know it, everybody knows it… now he train club with stars like Ronaldo, Mane or Otavio , Laporte and is on 4th place.. you all forget last season fails with Roma in EL or many matches with smaller clubs in Seria A…. in CL we go out just in first round… Yes he was good guy and thx for everything, especially scudetto, but upgrade was needed and it’s shame on Ibra and company how they throw last 5 years of prosperity… Now we need to start like Napoli.. from bottom with nothing and also without out best players from last 4 years… Theo and Leao.. I’m confident we sell both because of money what Cardinale lost this season..
And conceding against inter streak
Pioli would still be there had Maldini never let Kessie leave. Milan would still be winning today with Kessie and Pioli. The Maldini curse lives on.
That’s oversimplifying it I think. Kessie demanded a salary that Elliott was simply not going to pay… I agree though, if he had stayed and that scudetto winning midfield hadn’t been dismantled, we would have the continuity
Milan should recall maldini back as our sporting director sell leao and theo tomori maignian an return felix back to is club
Mr Pioli why not be sorry for your current playes in Saudi Arabia.
The scudetto won was more luck than deserved. NAPOLI AND INTER both proved how to won the scudetto convincingly after Milan.
We will not forgot your role in Bonaventura exist.
Neither could you manage the players for them to be willing to stick to Milan irrespective of the wages.
Pioli cost us Romagnoli, Kessie,Calhanologu, Bonaventura etc
So pls don’t rub salt to injury.
I just miss him, great Coach
Pioli is good coach, and treated his players with good, thats true. But his decision to use Krunic all the time, and can not give trust to young players, and also always inferior to Inter, thats true either.
But however, he can polished Theo, Leao and other mediocre players until they become now, thats very good. And also gave us one scudetto, thats good too.
But life must go on, and we must move on from Pioli. Just like Ancelloti’s era, we must move on (I like this legend era, for me).
So lets now concentrate on next season. Hire new coach, De Zerbi (I prefer) or Fabregas. And bring new players that fits with this new coach. Thats more important for me.