Reports: AC Milan President Berlusconi wants Ancelotti and Ibrahimovic back next season
According to reports, AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is confident that former manager Carlo Ancelotti will return to the Rossoneri next season. Another man who’ll be making a return to Milan according to the Italian is Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Berlusconi was adamant when talking about the future of AC Milan, confirming that the club is not for sale.
The Milan President said, “I hope there’s a big chance Ancelotti will become the next Milan Coach. Going around for my election campaign, all the Milan fans have advised me to bring Ancelotti back. I’ve listened, and found a solution, with the same desire to win.
“He’s a winner, he’s won everywhere he’s coached. Now he’ll have a minor operation and will take his decision, which is also down to his family. I hope it’s a positive decision for Milan, because he’s very much wanted at Milan.”
“No need to consider alternatives to Ancelotti”
When asked if he had any other names in mind, Berlusconi responded, “Alternatives? I don’t want to consider alternatives to Ancelotti. We’ll talk about these things later, if Ancelotti doesn’t come. But since he will come, there is no need to even have these conversations.”
Ancelotti was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this week after a trophyless season with the Merengues, but remains a popular figure at Milan as he won them two Champions Leagues and a Serie A title. Moreover, in 2004-05 and 2005-06, AC Milan finished runners-up to Juventus, who won the Scudetto, but had the titles stripped off them.
Ancelotti had earlier said that he will take an years’ sabbatical to undergo an operation if he was sacked as Madrid manager. He, later, confirmed that he will make a decision on June 3rd. The 55-year old is the only manager alongside Liverpool’s Bob Paisley to have won three European Cups/Champions Leagues.
Ibrahimovic is currently playing at Paris Saint-Germain. He joined the Ligue 1 side from Milan in 2012 in a €20-million deal. He played for the Italian club from 2010 to 2012, with the first year on loan from Barcelona. Ironically, the Swede has also represented Milan’s derby rivals Internazionale, playing for them between 2006 and 2009.
Berlusconi was slightly less confident about signing the Swedish striker.
He said, “I’m fixated on his return, although it’s a very difficult thing to make happen, and it will take patience. But he’s magnificent on the pitch.”