Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Carlo Ancelotti not the answer for AC Milan, says Leonardo

Former AC Milan and Inter Milan coach Leonardo says the Rossoneri need more than just Carlo Ancelotti if they are to turn things around next season.

Ancelotti has taken time until Wednesday to assess an offer put to him by Milan's general manager Adriano Galliani on a visit to Madrid last week.

The Italian coach initially seemed to favour taking a year out after leaving Real Madrid, but Galliani may have tempted him to return to Milan.

The 55-year-old spent eight years with the Milanese club, guiding them to two Champions League titles, but Leonardo does not think reappointing him would solve all of the club's problems.

"I think Ancelotti's determined not to accept, but knowing him he is caught in two minds because he's a sentimental person," Leonardo told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He couldn't put everything right all of a sudden.

"I love Carlo, but even he could not manage that. Milan want him because he is a figure of identity for them, like [Roberto] Mancini going back to Inter. He would be given time and he could attract some big players, but if he were not to accept, I would continue with [Filippo] Inzaghi because what would change if you hire somebody else?"

Inzaghi still has a year left on his contract, but recent criticism from club president Silvio Berlusconi suggests that he will not be given a second chance next season.

Divisions within the dressing room have also started to emerge with Christian Zapata claiming that he has not always been well accepted among the Milan players.

"It was a difficult year because the players had problems with Inzaghi and this climate was then reflected on the pitch," he told AS. "I'm so glad the season's over, now I can just think about my national team."

Zapata did not feature frequently this season and he believes Inzaghi was to blame.

"After my injury [in January], the coach changed his mind," he said. "It was only due to the problems I had with him. Let's just see now if Ancelotti comes. Everybody knows he's a great coach, but we'll just have to wait and see."

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