Doing my usual checking of sites that I trust, I arrive to find out that first year manager Leonardo will mutually part ways with AC Milan after their final regular season match with Juventus.
This is an expected outcome, and one that was seen by yours truly, just last summer.
Carlo Ancelotti knew that the writing was on the wall, that Kaka needed to be sold to balance the books, and there would not be a lot of funds for summer transfers in 2009. Ancelotti had to decide whether he had done everything he could at Milanello and take on a new challenge, or stick around for a massive rebuilding project that likely wouldn't really get underway until 2010-11. Chelsea was far more attractive, because the squad is setup for a run at multiple titles, and was backed by an owner that could spend immediately on reinforcements to replace aging stars like Michael Ballack and Deco. A far more attractive proposition than to manage a side that would have to absorb at least one year of transition before being able to rebuild their squad.
Stands to reason why an manager with no experience, like Leonardo, was appointed to the San Siro hot seat. No manager in the upper echelon would have been willing to walk into this situation. My guess is the phone conversation with a world-class coach went something like this:
"Hello, this is Adriano Galliani. We would like you to manage AC Milan this season. You interested? Great! Now, I must warn you that our long-time captain is retired and there is no talking him out of that. In addition, we have to sell our best player to Spain in order to balance the books. Having said that, there aren't going to be a lot of funds available to reinforce the squad, just a Dutch striker that struggled to get into the Spanish team we sold our best player to. Oh, and we'll be bringing in that over 30-something Brit in January. You know, the one that's playing in America right now. Still interested? Hello? Hello? Damn. Mr. Berlusconi, cross another one off the list."
By Galliani's own admission, he had to convince Leonardo to come in and manage this scrap heap. And he had to be thinking in the back of his mind all along that this would be a one-and-done situation. It became the perfect solution. Bring in a man with no experience. If he succeeds, it's a masterstroke by the upper management at Milanello. If he fails, well, he's inexperienced and that's where the problems started. Leo was brought in to keep it glued together, and keep their place in the UEFA Champions League.
What ended up happening with the 2009-2010 edition of AC Milan was simple. Leonardo, in his first year managing at any level, became a symbol of stability in a wildly inconsistent season for the Rossoneri. The preseason and first Milan derby, all told, were a disaster. It really hit rock bottom in a home loss to FC Zurich in the UEFA Champions League. Everyone was calling for Leo's head, blaming his inexperience as a manager as you would expect. Then, something happened in Spain. They went to play Kaka and Real Madrid, and against all expectations, stormed out 3-2 winners. It ignited a string of positive results, with brilliant attacking displays along the way. Suddenly, Milan had the look of a team that could contend for the Serie A title, though the Champions League was still going to be a bit out of reach. And despite being thrashed by Manchester United in the knockouts of the Champions League, they were within touching distance of Inter for top spot in Serie A. Injuries to key players like Alexandre Pato and Alessandro Nesta would suddenly curb their title challenge, but Leo kept the team together, and guided them to that 3rd place and automatic Champions League spot for next season.
To sum it up, Leonardo proved his worth as manager this season. He walked into a thankless situation and can walk out with his head held high. Leonardo simply exceeded expectations that the world footballing audience had for this Milan team. He got the best out of Ronaldinho (though it remains to be seen if Dinho was simply motivated to get a World Cup place with Brazil, and how he'll play now that he didn't). Thiago Silva played his way into being one of the best central defenders in the world. Ignazio Abate became a servicable right back, despite his natural winger position. And Marco Borriello flourished in his 4-3-3 system to the point where he earned a callup to Italy's World Cup provisional roster. There are many things that the Brazilian can be proud of in his one season in charge, it's just a pity he won't be staying around for Milan's rebuilding.
So, Mr. Galliani, Leo kept it together. Now make that call to a manager who can push Milan forward.
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