Scaroni: “Pioli can convince the fans with results; My favourite stadium project?”

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has insisted that the best way for Stefano Pioli to win over the fans is with results.

The Rossoneri officially confirmed the sacking of head coach Marco Giampaolo on Tuesday evening while Pioli was travelling from Parma to Milano to sign as his replacement.

Giampaolo lasted just 111 days in charge of the club – the shortest reign of any manager in the club’s history.

Pioli’s appointment was then confirmed via a statement on their official website, and he was officially presented in front of the media on Wednesday alongside Zvonomir Boban, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara.

There have been some negative comments from fans regarding the fact that Pioli supported Inter growing up, but Scaroni doesn’t believe this will be a problem.

“Pioli an Inter fan? Spalletti was also mentioned, who is not Interista but he was at Inter,” he told Sky Italia (via MilanNews.it).

“How to convince the fans? There is only one way, the results. I saw Pioli this morning. He is a serious and prepared person. I am confident because we have the team and the results will come.

“It takes a little patience. Our goal is to return to the Champions League. It has been too many years that we have not been in it.”

Scaroni also went on to discuss the stadium issue, with both Milan clubs having been dealt a blow by the first council vote last week.

“The Meazza is a beautiful stage, we are all fond of it,” he added.

“We had great successes there and it beats our hearts, but we must realise that it is no longer adequate for the times in which we live.

“In modern stadiums, the areas dedicated to hospitality are 100,000 square meters, and at the Meazza it is 24,000. Abroad we see totally different things.

There is also a theme of accessibility and security that is of other times. In modern stadiums those with disabilities can enter very easily.”

On the alternatives if the plans do not get approved, Scaroni added: “On the one hand we consider it impossible to play at the Meazza as it is, it is not suited to the needs of the clubs.

“We want to make a new San Siro at San Siro, we are convinced that we will get all the necessary authorisations, all this comes from private money.

“We met the citizens because we wanted to listen to them. It was a positive dialogue. When we build a new thing, certain things that are a great annoyance can be improved.

“The new stadiums are built so that the noise is maximum inside and minimum outside. It will be 60% less noise than the current one even though it is closer to the houses, even the vibrations will be reduced.

The two clubs held an official event at the Bovisa Polytechnic in Milano last month, during which Manica-Cmr and Populous took to the stage to reveal their designs for the ‘new San Siro’.

Italian firm Manica showed their ‘Wedding Rings’ design, followed by American giants Populous and their ‘Cathedral’ – but which does the Milan president prefer?

“I like the Cathedral because it is innovative. The modern stadiums are all very similar, this is a bit different. It is a very clear emblem of the Milan-Inter alliance to make a stadium together.”


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Tags AC Milan Paolo Scaroni Stefano Pioli
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