AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Celtic did more than see the Italians through to the last 16 of the Champions League, it finally gave coach Carlo Ancelotti a bit of breathing space as his side jet off to Japan for the Club World Cup.
Away from Europe Ancelotti has been enduring a tough time in Serie A, where Milan have failed to win at home in the league all season.
Criticism of the coach has been relatively restrained — thanks to the Champions League success last season – but it was getting harder and harder to ignore after a goalless draw with Juventus, who dominated proceedings at San Siro.
Pressure on Ancelotti has also come from British media reports saying Jose Mourinho was waiting for him to be sacked so the former Chelsea coach could take over Milan rather than accept the England job.
Portugal’s Mourinho said when he left Stamford Bridge that he would like to learn another language, like Italian or German, and work in another country.
He has already managed Porto and Chelsea as well as being assistant manager at Barcelona. His only realistic option in Germany would be Bayern Munich, but they are back flying in the Bundesliga under Ottmar Hitzfeld.
In Italy, Roberto Mancini’s Inter are top again while Claudio Ranieri is doing well at Juventus and Luciano Spalletti has made Roma one of Europe’s most attractive teams to watch.
All roads point to Milan, mid-table in Serie A, or at least they did until they came through the Champions League as group winners.
Ancelotti now has nine days to prepare his side for a semi-final and potential final at the Club World Cup. Another trophy in Japan and some team bonding would ease the pressure even more, and leave Mourinho with no obvious place to go in Italy.
Also in Ancelotti’s favour is the fact that there is not a single foreign coach in Serie A. Fatih Terim at Milan and David Platt at Sampdoria are fairly recent examples of how foreign managers have struggled in Italy.
Maybe Mourinho should plump for England after all…?
PHOTO: AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi celebrates with Kaka after scoring the winner against Celtic at San Siro stadium, December 4, 2007. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
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9 comments so far
Well, that is not such a bad idea, Mourinho plumping for the England’s job.
We will see if England is really a lost cause or not, if even Mourinho cannot turn around this team.
John
- Posted by JohnSTSoccerNet Live
The rumour is in Germany that Hitzfeld will not continue after the end of the season, and he’ll make that known over the winter break. I wonder if Mourinho would really fancy the Bundesliga, though. Not convinced.
- Posted by Kevno way for Mourinho in Milan !!!!
Milan isn’t just a football club, is a big family..Milan have a lot better option from their almamaters, such as van Basten, Rijkaard, donadoni, or even Tassoti, Baresi, etc…
Another reason, in Milan, we don’t always talk about result, just like in Mourinho’s way…but we perform an attacking football display which equals with an attractive 2×45 minutes action of possession and not (so) result oriented Football !!!
So, go for England Mourinho, Milan have a better way to replace Don Carletto..
- Posted by Andy Gultoman interesting post Andy. I think most observers of Italian soccer this season would all agree that Inter, Roma, Juve and even Fiorentina have played much better attacking football than Milan.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsAncelotti may have been an ex-Milan player but he came from Juve to be the coach.
Fatih Terim before him had no Milan connection.
Berlusconi would go for anyone who offered continued success…at the moment he still thinks that man is Ancelotti
I haven’t watched much of the Italian league before but I have heard that Milan do not play attacking football too.
Would this not suit Mourinho though? Under him, Chelsea never really attacked. The aim always seemed to be ‘concede less than the opposition’ rather than score more.
I think he would relish the opportunity to work with the likes of Kaka and would probably be put off the England job because he would not be able to work with the players day in day out.
He will probably only take England if the money is good. I do want him to, but if a top team like Milan came in for him then he wouldn’t think twice.
- Posted by Football Betting Boy@ Mark :
yeah, you’re right, this season Juve, Roma and Inter playing a better attacking football than Diavolo Rosso, but as i concern, Milan still believe in Carletto, especially in Champions League
Berlusconi is very patient chairman, he will do wait and see…
It is not a Milan way to sack manager in the middle of season..
- Posted by Andy GultomIt’s not the Milan way, no. But do you remember Ancelotti got sacked at half-time once, when he was at Juventus.
- Posted by London@ London :
Juventus sack Carletto? No wonder…Juve isnt a match for Carletto..Just like a boss with an employee, they never get closed, coaching Juventus for Ancelotti, is only a job, that\’s it
Milan is different. Carletto have special relationship because of their memories when played in Milan. Milan do the same thing either, even only single scudetto that Carletto give to Diavolo Rosso, there still no hesitation for Milan to still keep a trust on him…
- Posted by Andy Gultommilan it’s not a just a football club, yeah you are right.. many of the football in italy not just football there also have a relationship and big family. but why fatih terim can be coach milan, i think fatih terim have moment good because it. althought fatih terim just little coach in milan
- Posted by omarfauzi