REPORT: Sacchi defends Pioli and puts the blame on Milan’s summer transfer strategy.
Arrigo Sacchi believes that AC Milan’s summer business is a bigger reason in their disappointing season than Stefano Pioli’s leadership.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Pianeta Milan), Sacchi stated that he has known Pioli for a long time and likes him as a manager.
As a result, he considers it difficult to blame Pioli alone for Milan’s failure to win a title and their poor performance in the Champions League. He believes that some of the business undertaken by the club over the summer did not help Pioli reach the goals he set for himself.
“I have known Pioli for a long time and he was one of those tactical coaches. I also think that over the years he has tried to become a strategist and come up with something of his own. Evaluations on him? It depends on the market, let me explain. I don’t know if all the foreigners who arrived at Milan last summer were chosen by the coach or at least with his approval. So it would be unfair to judge him for the upcoming results if he didn’t consent and didn’t endorse the signings. Otherwise, it is clear, he would have his responsibilities. In the first case he would not be at fault and if I were the president I would look at who chose those players. If, on the other hand, Pioli was involved in the decisions and then something didn’t work, he is also at fault. And I say this with regret because he is on the right path,” Sacchi said.
It’s unclear how much control Pioli had over the summer transfer window, but it’s evident that certain players, including Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, were very effective additions who strengthened the club.
Sacchi went on to clarify that reckless purchase in the transfer market is no longer the method to establish a winning formula in football, and Pioli merely needs to improve in this area.
“I’m not sure what the club’s internal relations are today; I was taking chances, but I had the president’s support. In Italy, we are experiencing a planning issue, and we are looking for individuals or foreigners to provide ideas. However, spending is not always the solution, and victory is not guaranteed. To accomplish so, you need an international mindset, which coaches must nurture. Tacticians put clubs in a tight position by requesting additions that can make a difference but may end up putting the accounts in the red. Strategists are required: Stefano must yet make a little, incremental leap. Sacchi stated that it was not a ‘huge jump’.
GET RELATED CONTENTS ON: BLACKSPORTNEWS.CO.UK