Why Ancelotti Is Not The Answer For Milan

When Juventus ironically eliminated defending champions Real Madrid from the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, it looked as if Carlo Ancelotti’s world was coming down on him. With the La Liga trophy practically en-route to Barcelona at that time, the Italian tactician knew that failure to bring home the two primary pieces of silverware would be detrimental to his time in the Spanish capital. As such, the 55-year-old’s future is now in a state of uncertainty.

It seems almost harsh and ridiculous that the coach, who led the Galacticos to the famous ‘La Decima’ would see his legendary status at the club do a 360 with the fans of Madrid now wanting to see the back of the grey-haired mastermind. But where will the travelling Italian go next?

Well, the answer may have been revealed back in November last year already when Ancelotti confirmed his affinity to his old club, saying: “If sooner or later I was to return to Italy, it would only be to Milan.”

This barely comes as a surprise… With the Rossoneri having endured their worst ever season under the 30-year ownership of Silvio Berlusconi, there have been many cries for change…

Berlusconi has been in talks with Thai businessman, Mr Bee, over a possible takeover before negotiations started to fizzle out.

In a smart move to win over the fans, the multi-millionaire immediately knew what to say by claiming he would bring back both Ancelotti and Paolo Maldini to Milan. However, is bringing back ‘Carletto’ the right move?

In the eight years spent together on the San Siro bench, it was the perfect marriage. The two had dated for five years during Ancelotti’s playing days, before eventually tying the knot in 2001.

Together, success was enjoyed with nearly every passing season, with Ancelotti bringing home a grand total of eight trophies during his tenure as the Rossoneri manager.

A tactical mastermind and one who knew how to win games, it seemed almost surreal when Ancelotti and Milan were to break up in May 2009, only to see the coach move to Chelsea just two months later.

The team Ancelotti was first met with at the club’s headquarters of Milanello was already star-studded… With players like Paolo Maldini, Demetrio Albertini, Zvonimir Boban, Redondo, Serginho, and Nelson Dida all at his disposal, from the offset, Carlo never had to build a squad.

It was a 40-year-old coach’s dream to inherit such a talented squad and with Adriano Galliani business skills and Berlusconi’s money available to him, Ancelotti was always afforded the best of players.

The same happened when he joined Chelsea. Roman Abramovich had money to waste, while Pars Saint-Germain’s takeover by the Qatar Sports Investments meant he could have signed any player he so desired.

At Real Madrid he arrived at the capital club with Cristiano Ronaldo already on their books, while his entrance was also gifted with the signature of Gareth Bale. If any coach was to lose with those players at his disposal then one has to question his coaching attributes… And he didn’t fail.

Reflecting on this, Ancelotti has been fortunate enough to always have great players available to him. He has always inherited a well-built team and has gone on to reach new heights with them, but he will not be getting that at Milan.

This current Milan side is in a desperate need of an intervention… With two fixtures left on the 2014/15 calendar, the Rossoneri find themselves sitting in a rather despicable and disheartening 11^th place and facing another season with no European football.

A new coach is needed but one that knows how to build a squad, and one who has time to implement his own philosophies and patience to nurture young talents.

Ancelotti coming back would only mean Milan will fall back into the one sphere they are prone to… Living in the past.

Bringing back the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Ricardo Kaka were by no means a movement of building for the future, but rather their transfers were a quick-fix attempt to cover up the underlying problems at the club. And the fact that the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng are linked with a reappearance at the San Siro is a further indication that this is no sign of a team wanting to move forward.

The requirements for a new Milan coach should be one of a tactician that is willing to go through the whole rebuilding phase at the club. Time will be needed and new investments will need to be brought in.

Right now, the Diavoli need to focus on the future and not fall vulnerable to believing that the tried and tested Ancelotti is the right answer for the club.

He may offer an encyclopedia book of knowledge, but the Reggiolo-born coach is not the visionary tactician the fading giants need right now. The time spent together will always be one that Milanisti will long remember and be fond of.