Arrigo Sacchi believes that the AC Milan ownership should keep Stefano Pioli as head coach because he continues to show himself to be the best man for the job.
Sacchi is someone who knows what it takes to win with Milan, given he won Serie A title in his 1987–88 debut season and then got back to back European Cups in 1989 and 1990.
Pioli meanwhile has had a bit of a rollercoaster recently. While many acknowledge that he has credit in the bank after winning the Scudetto and getting the Rossoneri to the Champions League semi-finals, recent results have been frustrating.
As such, there is a chance that Pioli – after a potential second straight trophyless season – may be remembered more for his losses than his wins, and for what he didn’t achieve rather than what he did. Meanwhile, speculation about his future continues to rumble.
Sacchi spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the head coach position and he made his thoughts clear on what the management should do.
“If he continues like this and if the improvements continue, I don’t see why Pioli should be sent away at the end of the season. The important thing is that Milan always keep their foot pressed on the accelerator and that they believe in his potential,” he began.
What do you like about the current Milan?
“I’m starting to see a team, which is the most important thing. Let me explain: it hasn’t reached its maximum yet, but finally the players help each other, they show they follow the coach, they fight, they commit, they never give up.”
An example?
“If you don’t have important moral values at the base of the group, you don’t win matches like the one in Udine: coming back, in the last minute, after making a tremendous effort. It was a reward for willpower.
“Well deserved for what was seen in pitch, especially before the racist episode against Maignan. There are three factors that determine the strength of a team, I will never tire of saying it.”
What are these factors?
“The very strong motivation, the high team spirit and the game. It seems to me that the first two qualities, considering how the last period is going, are there.
“The game, however, can still improve. Even if we are already at a reasonable level. However, we need to acquire greater continuity of performance.”
Other aspects to correct?
“I would like to see Milan narrow and compact: no more than thirty meters apart. In this way the synergies between the departments develop, the collaboration between the players, and then you can press, which is the real secret of modern football.
“If you are compact, and if everyone is close, you help each other, you steal the ball from your opponents and you increase your self-esteem by plunging others into depression. In short: the goal is to become proactive, to dominate the game.”
How do you rate Pioli’s work so far?
“I look at the table: the Rossoneri are third, with a good margin ahead of fourth. This means that only two teams, Inter and Juve, have done better.
“And let’s not forget that Milan is not the club that spent more in the mercato. Inter, for example, has invested more in the last three seasons, yet, despite having won several trophies, they have never reached the Scudetto.
“Pioli is working with a group of boys who almost all come from abroad: it’s not easy, patience is needed. The improvements that can be seen now are the result of the coach’s teachings, I have no doubt about this.
“It’s logical that, at the beginning of the season, there was a price to pay given the many changes in the market. It’s not easy to make people who come from another universe understand your ideas.”
In your opinion, has Pioli made himself understood?
“Given the recent results and, above all, the performances and commitment of the players, I would say yes. Stefano is an excellent coach. Before arriving at Milan he was above all a tactician, then he evolved and now it seems to me that is a strategist.
“He thinks over the long term and not just on the result of a single match. He wants to give identity and style to the team: these are the most difficult things. I said it before: if he continues like this, I see no reason to change him at the end of the season.”
The fans have often expressed their disappointment.
“Very true, and when they blew the whistle they were right because they weren’t having fun. But in the last period Pioli has shown that he has the team in control and the team has shown that it wants to follow its coach.
“And in fact the results are there and they are no longer there the boos. People are not stupid: if they notice the commitment, if they understand that the players have given their soul, they applaud and support.
“And the Milan environment, which is a very competent environment, I am sure will give a hand in this second part of the season.”
The role of the club will be decisive for Pioli’s reconfirmation.
“The club is always fundamental, and it is even more so in a moment like this. When I arrived at Milan, at the beginning I had some problems, we lost a few games. Berlusconi said to me: “Do you need my intervention?’. I replied to him: ‘Yes’.
“He summoned us all to Milanello, to his office, and in thirty seconds he settled the matter: ‘I have full faith in Arrigo. Those of you who have it will stay next year too. he doesn’t have it, he’ll go away. Good work everyone’.
“Of course, right? From then on we began the comeback that would lead to the championship. The club comes before the team and the team comes before the individual: these are basic rules.
“Here we are faced with a young club, which is demonstrating passion and, I am convinced, will slowly acquire greater skills and greater experience. The important thing is that there is clarity. In the heads of the managers and in that of the coach.”
What should Pioli do now?
“Insist with his ideas, which led him to win four consecutive matches in the championship. He must be a hammer, work hard, not take anything for granted. And if there is someone who doesn’t follow him, after trying to convince him to once, twice or three times, he must have the strength to put him out.
“The most important rule, I have always maintained, is respect for the rules. Woe betide you if you grant exceptions.”
Aside from the championship, there is also the Europa League and Milan can play for the final victory. What do you think?
“The Europa League is a very prestigious trophy and the Rossoneri have what it takes to get to the end. They must believe in their possibilities and their qualities: the mental aspect is decisive when you want to achieve great goals.
“And then there’s always the league, where Milan have the duty to improve and to once again show that commitment and desire to fight that I’ve admired lately.”
Is it forbidden to talk about the scudetto?
“If I were coach of the Rossoneri, I would abolish this word. The goal must be something else: becoming a team, being compact, united, modern in the way we are on the pitch. Then, in the end, as in all things in life, we’ll draw conclusions.
“But I believe that Inter and Juve have a notable advantage and therefore I wouldn’t waste energy thinking about the scudetto. The players must keep their heads down and run, run, run.”
A man who, in this period, can make a difference?
“Not just one man, because no one wins matches alone. But all together, if they become a collective, they can get a lot of satisfaction.”
