Marco Giampaolo introduced himself to the Rossoneri supporters yesterday. After his first visit to Milanello in the morning, he held his first press conference as the Coach of AC Milan.
HIS JOURNEY
"First and foremost, I’m very happy and motivated to be here and to coach such a glorious Club as AC Milan. It’s one of the most famous clubs in the world with a fantastic history. For me, it’s a great opportunity, one which I think I’ve earned after all the work, research and sacrifice I’ve put in. There’s never an end to your journey and mine has been one of ups and downs. I’ve fallen and have had to get back up again, but this has made me stronger. In our first meeting, the directors told me that they don’t trust those who have never got it wrong. This pleased me, you learn from the mistakes you make and never finish learning. I’m happy to be taking up this challenge and I’m joining at the right age, I hope to remain here for as long as possible."
THE CALL FROM MALDINI
"I was setting sail towards Croatia with my friends when I received the call from Paolo Maldini. They left and I got off. I then took the first plane back and arrived in Milan. Five years ago, I accepted a challenge in Serie C to get back on track, something which I think could have ended my professional career. I had the courage of my convictions to accept this offer but I was also irritable and resentful, I wanted to return to Serie A by starting again at the bottom. The call from AC Milan has made me a happy man, it’s a privilege for me to be here."
WHAT AC MILAN REPRESENTS
"For me, AC Milan represents a sense of belonging, footballing recognition, the aim to try to get results through a specific identity. And I think that the big sides need to have an identity. For us, there are many objectives and the road ahead is a long one. I have a lot of work in mind, we need to be recognisable: this is what the players will have to be in terms of what they do and also the millions of fans with their sense of belonging, something which is a kind of hallmark, a logo, a colour."
PHILOSOPHY
"Heads up and let’s play football. I don’t distinguish between weak and strong or between starters and reserves. I like motivated players with ambition, players who want to be remembered for writing an important page in this Club’s history. The project will centre on offering good football which is backed up by results. I’m not looking at a final objective but am trying to build something one step at a time. Promise less and deliver more. I’m now thinking about our training camp, I’ll look to talk to the players so I can understand what they’re thinking and what their ambitions are. Then we’ll put a game plan and mentality in place. All of these details will bring about a vision that will be our point of reference. We certainly need to improve the relationship between goals scored and conceded."
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GROUP
"AC Milan is above individual interests, players don’t come first. It’s the group that makes the difference, there are no prima donnas but players who have to work for the cause. AC Milan have a very young squad, perhaps the youngest in the league. Inside this group, we should transmit what our ambitions are because small details make a difference in this league. Zvonimir and Paolo have their own experiences that you can look to. I’m sure that they’ll contribute to the sense of responsibility within the squad. To coach and play at AC Milan is something that doesn’t happen every day. We need to build a team that isn’t afraid to be itself."
PLAYERS IN THE PROJECT
"I want to get to know the players in the squad well. It’s a shame that Kessie, Laxalt, Paquetà , Cutrone, Bonaventura and Caldara aren’t available now. But before making serious moves in any direction, I want to see who can carry out my ideas and who won’t be required. I don’t think that you can play well if you don’t have quality players and the characteristics that mean the squad is in harmony. AC Milan have various quality players, last year I thought that the team could be one of the surprises of the season. I look for times to select the players who can carry forward our ideas and philosophy. I need to speak with all of the players and tailor things to their characteristics. They have to know themselves, both in technical and behavioural terms."
SUSO
"He’s a quality payer and I like players like that. Without quality players, you don’t win matches. I don’t focus on the formation, Suso will be a player to evaluate. Not to evaluate him as a player but to see what position he should play on the pitch, I’ll look to get him playing at his best to help the team."
DONNARUMMA
"Gianluigi is really strong. I don’t usually ask for opponents’ shirts but I asked for his during my first year at Sampdoria – just to help you understand what a high opinion I have of him."
THEO HERNANDEZ
"Theo is a player that the Club studied a lot. He has lots of quality, he’s young and they also called on me to help develop talented young players. I’m also curious to understand who he is as a player because he arrives with the ambition of becoming one of the best in his position in a few years."
THE TRANSFER MARKET
"I develop profiles and then the Club does its research. I can express myself on players I’ve worked with, I know everything about them. You always need leaders, then there are players who enrich the team with their quality. Strong players make a coach’s ideas better than the theories. Paolo and Zvonimir were top quality players and they have the right background to understand things. I’m not being forceful but I’ve expressed my ideas."
NOT PLAYING IN EUROPE
"It’s a big disappointment not to be able to play in Europe but there is also a positive consequence as we can focus on working seven days a week, meaning we'll have a weekly cycle in which to build the conditions needed to do our best next year."
(Photo Getty Images)
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Source: legaseriea.it