In recent days, the Italian media has been flooded with news that Fabio Paratici and Massimiliano Allegri are the ideal candidates for Milan.
An example of what we mean can be found just by looking at La Gazzetta dello Sport. On March 8 came news that Allegri is the No.1 candidate for Milan, then on March 10 came the first mention of hiring him plus Paratici for an ‘Italian Diavolo’.
The very next day they did another double page spread about why the two former Juventus men are being considered by the Rossoneri hierarchy, on March 12 it was why Allegri is attracted by Milan, then earlier today the angle was how Rafael Leao would benefit from the coach returning.
However, by carefully analysing the context and the dynamics at play, a very different picture emerges compared to the one painted by many media outlets. More than a real negotiation, there seems to be strong media pressure to guide the choices of the Rossoneri management.
Political power and friendly press
It is no mystery that Paratici and Allegri enjoy significant influence in the world of Italian football. Their ‘political’ power is enviable, as is the credit given to them by many newspapers, even very important ones, often directed by journalists who are declared friends.
This, together obviously with the absolute value of the two, would explain the growing number of articles that push their respective futures at Milan. However, the pressure exerted from outside does not automatically mean that the Rossoneri management are on the same wavelength.
A crucial aspect to consider is that the real discussions between Milan and the possible candidates for the sporting direction have not yet begun. Why? Giorgio Furlani only had the decision-making powers affirmed last week, and the first meetings might not have even taken place.
Furthermore, without a sporting director, there can be no ‘number one candidate’ to take over from Sergio Conceicao, not yet anyway. Consequently, taking Allegri’s nomination for granted seems at least premature.
Are Paratici and Allegri compatible?
On the other hand, the policy held so far by RedBird Capital does not seem at all oriented towards an operation involving Paratici and Allegri. The line adopted so far by Milan has always had financial sustainability as its guiding star, even to the detriment of sporting performance.
Hiring two figures with high economic and sporting demands such as Paratici and Allegri represents an antithesis to this. As spoken about in another recent feature, they would probably be more inclined to go down the ‘European’ route unless there has been a total change of course.
Furthermore, the two have been accustomed for years to work with more streamlined and defined ownerships (such as Juventus with the Agnelli family) and not with an investment fund, by its very nature more controlled than ambitious.
A further constructed Narrative?
In addition to the rumours about Paratici and Allegri, another recurring theme is that of the so-called ‘Italianisation’ of Milan. Several newspapers and commentators are pushing the idea that the club should rely on directors and coaches with experience in Serie A.
Although it may be useful to have figures who know the league well, this warning light does not seem to have yet appeared on the board of the machine led by Gerry Cardinale. The search for an Italian identity also in this case appears more the result of a media construction than a real need of the club.
With this we do not want to get into the merits of the work done by the Italian press in sponsoring the name of two profiles of the highest value such as the aforementioned duo. After all, they have a tremendous body of work behind them and are legitimate candidates regardless of the papers.
It should be clarified, however, that the strong media push in favour of the two former Juventus men is not currently confirmed by the facts. Milan have not yet started a definitive decision-making process and, considering the RedBird policy, the possibility of seeing both arrive remains speculative.
Allegri is a not team builder. When he had to rebuild like in the last 3 years at Juve, he failed. The last version of Allegri is 20 points in 2nd half of the season, the worst in the history of Juventus. He is a finished coach.
agree
Are you serious?
Yes, also, Allegri is a joke that got Pirlo to Juventus for free. Told he is too old and slow.
Not to mention Conte built.that Juve team that dominated for 9 years. Allegri rode that wave.
The article is right. I’m not sure why Allegri is being pushed so much along with Paratici by overzealous media. Even made a comment about it on a deferent post.
I don’t so much have a problem with Allegri as he is a decent manager, as I do with Paratici – whose CV is not anywhere good enough for a club of Milan’s pedigree. It even sure how he landed the Juve gig.
The only time he was good was when he was a 2nd and behind Marotta. That’s it.
Anyone but these two Juve clowns.
Yes, we should steer clear of all coaches tainted på Juve. Including Conte. Would rather have a wild ride with De Zerbi than a boring snore fest with Allegri.
Allegri won seria A with Milan.sportmanship is crucial
1000%
“there seems to be strong media pressure to guide the choices of the Rossoneri management.”
“Their ‘political’ power is enviable, as is the credit given to them by many newspapers, even very important ones, often directed by journalists who are declared friends.”
Same thing was happening last season with the media pushing Conte to Milan.
Journalist who are declared friends of certain individuals have been attacking Milan since they fired Maldini. Printing a lot of lies as well.
Every time Milan lost points over the last 2 seasons the next day their would be an article how Milan misses Maldini, how the coach has been left alone at Milanello, how Theo Hernández can’t wipe his a$$ off by himself without Maldini being present there to guide him.
Then they went in on Fonseca from day one.
They kept making comparisons for months about Kalulu and Royal even though they play 2 different positions.
Milan has been under absolute siege from the Italian media and if they don’t hire an Italian director and Italian coach they will do the same thing again, making hard for anyone, coach or director, to succeed.
I have less issues with Allegri being hired than with Paratici.
Paratici has done absolutely nothing since taking over from Marotta but damaging Juventus and then Tottenham by buying overrated, overhyped over paid serie A players.
At least Allegri is a proven coach. People say he is finished but he actually worked with bums at Juventus the last couple years. Last season through week 28 he had Juventus sitting at 58 points. After 28 games this season and over 200m spent they have 52 points. The leader inter have 61 BTW.
Allegri football isn’t pretty, but neither is Conte’s but everyone keep talking about how Milan missed out on him.
At least Allegri is proven that he is able to coach with success in more than 1 competition at the same time and more than 1 game a week. Conte with 1 game a week couldn’t even keep Napoli in Copa Italia. If he doesn’t win the scudetto this season, it’s a major failure.
While I do agree that Allegri is a better coach than given credit for (and has actually won more titles than Conte or any current Italian coach I can think of) and I have no personal issues with boring football, parking the bus and what not but I think our current situation requires more of a squad builder and I’m not sure Allegri is that fit for the job.
Allegri did well with a Juve (and a Milan) that already had big players and not so well when they had to rebuild their team.
The current state of our team, it being so dysfunctional and poorly built means we need more of a squad builder profile and we shouldn’t probably aim for the long run, rather than the short term.
Which coach should they hire then who fits the squad builder profile?
Gasperini
He bought Vlahovic and Chiesa for 150M to be 4th in Serie A. That is a mo**n, not a too manager. He has to build myths about himself in the media, the only way to be relevant. Conte is 7 million times better. Allegri couldn’t go to England and win if they gave him infinite chances. And nobody even wanted him there. A joke.
It would be better than continuing to push for the offensive experiment with such a lackluster midfield and strongly underperforming fullbacks.
Allegri the first coach that destroy DNA acmiln in 2nd season. He finish as coach. All coach want coach acmilan. Bcause if he success. They can coach big club other countries like real madrid. Every coach acmilan coach if success they coach realmadrid or bayer muchen. Story tell that. That why allegri is finish bcause he is not success coach acmilan. But destroy acmilan DNA
Allegri is the coach for Milan. It will bring an Italian flair to Milan. It will bring toughness and a lot of points. An old trickster with a clear goal and a brave game.
Brave? 😂😂😂😂
You think Allegri has a brave game ??!!
He had Juve play the most coward, backdown, defeatist football for 3 seasons !
Juve couldn’t even string together 3-4 passes and build one single attacking movement under him.
He’s an old, finished, dated, product..
Might be ok for Roma if Ranieri wants him.. but not for Milan.
Allegri was run out of town last season at Juventus, and somehow he’s now the right man for the Milan job? Let’s have some fresh ideas please… Not to mention he plays the least attractive brand of football imaginable
Why he is not suited, another post why is he suited, with this management its difficult to say who is coming, either coach or players. The truth is, something has to change next season and something with a well tought plan and not something sporadic.
Allegri is literally a myth he created about himself. The genius that got top Pirlo out of Milan. You can’t be serious!!
Thank you for this article..
Finally someone calling out the pathetic pro-Allegri partisan media in Italy.. that were so scared of criticizing his him during those last 3 pathetic years at Juve. Including his minions like his mentor Galleone who comes out every week to tell us how Allegri is the messiah of modern football.
Now they’re trying to steer him back to Milan because no big club wants to hire him.. Not only that, now they want a dedicated corrupt criminal like Fabio Parratici to come along as well.
Allegri is a dated manager with no new ideas.. those 3 miserable years at Juve should tell you everything.
Milan has other options that are much more suitable. From De Zerbi, Sarri, Xavi, even someone like Dionisi.
But please please not Allegri!
Good paper. Albeit it’s common practice these days, sadly. During the first two years of Cardinale there were many, many articles in La Gazza (often wrote by the same editor) praising Jerry, America, Pulisic, etc. At that time Milan was asking SempreMilan and other websites to curate their articles not to reflect the animosity toward Pioli and the club. PR has been a cornerstone component under this ownership. Now it’s damage control for over a year and it works poorly, maybe they need the same mad men who took care of Philip Morris, Meta, Boeing, etc.
“The search for an Italian identity also in this case appears more the result of a media construction than a real need of the club.”
No, the search for an Italian identity – to be precise, a core Italian identity on the pitch – isn’t a media construction, but a demand of many ACM fans, not just in Italy but around the world.
What is ACM if it has no Italian identity; no link to Italy except that it happens to be based in the city of Milan? As I’ve said before on this site, the club may as well go and headquarter itself in Las Vegas and rename itself the Casino City Cardinals if it has no meaningful Italian identity!
Inter and Juventus – traditionally our club’s two main rivals in Italy – both have Italian cores in their teams. Why is ACM the only Italian club – in fact, if I’m not mistaken, the only major club in Europe – that has no ties on the pitch to its cultural milieu?
The winning formula – the one that will again endear ACM to its fans everywhere – is one that combines a core Italian formation with the best foreign players. That’s how the great Berlusconi took us to the top of world football.
Qui si vede. Ce non sanno ce cosa fare. Allora andiamo sul sicuro. Non interessa piu, il bel gioco. Vogilono solo salvare la faccia.. #CARDINALEOUT!
I think that Sergio Conceicao should stay at club. people could see every day that he is fully engaged in project and fully professional. we need more reflect about players on the end of season. that’s all.
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if the club needs Patriaci, so yes. he is fully professional. I think that it’s time for little re-built the team, our squad. reflect who is important to the project, who wants stay in the club and who is ready to go.
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last couple of weeks I see too much emotion in the club. you can’t run a club like that.