Carlo Ancelotti has lashed out at AC Milan. The former player and coach of the Milan superpower finds it disrespectful how the current club management has treated club icon Paolo Maldini.
Furious Ancelotti lashes out at AC Milan after club icon Maldini leaves
Maldini left as technical director earlier this week because, according to Italian media, he had an irreconcilable difference of opinion with the new owner Gerry Cardinale. The story goes that the American businessman wants to go on the Moneyball tour with Milan and wants to strengthen himself with young players based on data and algorithms, while Maldini wants to raise the level in the selection by betting on more expensive players with experience.
On Monday, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the bomb exploded during a meeting, which led to the departure of club icon Maldini. This led to angry reactions from the supporters and Ancelotti was also not happy about it, he told Il Giornale. “In Madrid I learned that history should always be respected,” he said.
“Here, legends like Di Stefano, Amancio, Gento and Puskas are icons that are still respected. What happened to Maldini shows a lack of historical awareness and a lack of respect for Milanese tradition. It’s true you don’t win with history, but history teaches you how to win,” he continued.
“Football clubs that think business has priority over sporting merit are doomed to fail,” Ancelotti explained. The chastened coach worked for years with Maldini, who was captain of AC Milan, which won the Champions League twice under the guidance of the coach.
Mario Balotelli is one of the most talked about players of recent decades, but is increasingly in danger of being forgotten. The Italian striker was relegated last season with FC Sion after a season that was mainly full of escapades.
Disbelief in Switzerland: “A disastrous decision to get Balotelli”
Meanwhile in Switzerland, people had the illusion of getting another former Milan employee, Balotelli under control, unlike many previous bosses. The talent of the former striker of Manchester City, Internazionale and Liverpool, among others, is undeniable, but above all the attacker is a true menace. Balotelli provided sensational stories everywhere. And also in Switzerland people now sigh when they hear his name.
Technical director Barth Constantin can now beat himself in the head. The policy maker of Sion told the Swiss Blick about the pranks of the striker. “It was a mistake to sign him. I admit I was completely wrong about him. The arrival of Mario created enthusiasm, but it turned out to be a disastrous stay,” he said.
“He should have let us take a step forward,” Constantin continued. “Mario had to score 20 goals, but only five. He didn’t deliver the performance we expected from him.” The opposite happened, for Sion was relegated.
Balotelli’s presence also left its mark off the field. The striker is said to have drunkenly summoned a number of players at a training camp in Marbella to give him women in his room. He was also drunk at a team meeting. During a masquerade party, Balotelli hit someone after being recognized. In addition, he refused to come in during a lost game in May.
Balotelli still has a contract in Sion until mid-2024. In Switzerland, however, it is not expected that he will show his face in Sion after the relegation.
