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Adriano Galliani has once again addressed the rumours that he could return to AC Milan, while reflecting on his time at Monza.
On Thursday, the sale of Monza from Fininvest (the Berlusconi family) to the American fund Beckett Layne Ventures was made official. Galliani’s tenure as CEO of his hometown team, a team he has never hidden his support for, has come to an end with it.
Rumours of his possible return to Milan – in a role yet to be determined – have been going around for many weeks now. There has been talk of a Head of Football role to help with the playing and the administrative side, but what seems certain is that the Rossoneri are exploring bringing him back.
‘Never stopped being a fan’
Galliani gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he spoke about the achievement of Monza playing in the top flight and what the future might hold now he has left.
How does it feel to leave Monza?
“A strong emotion. I’m leaving the club I’ve loved since I was five years old and my mother used to take me to the stadium, my hometown team. I thanked the new owners who offered me the role of president. But I don’t see myself in any club that isn’t owned by Silvio Berlusconi/Fininvest.”
An old memory?
“Promotion to Serie B in 1951. I was 7 years old, waiting for the bus returning from the victory in Omegna, a goal by captain Colombetti. At 15, I lost my mother. My father convinced me to go and see Monza anyway. We drew with Cagliari, Brenna scored. The young Galeone was also playing.”
First hero?
“The bomber Cuzzoni, from Pavia.”
Other loves in no particular order?
“The ten wonderful years as Simmenthal Monza; the Monza of Gigi Radice and Claudio Sala who promoted to Serie B. In the late 1970s we repeatedly came close to reaching Serie A. In a 1979 film, Renato Pozzetto said: ‘I’m from Monza and we’ll never get promoted to Serie A’.”
And yet Berlusconi’s Monza shattered the prophecy: Pisa, May 22, 2022…
“In the 44 years I lived alongside Berlusconi, I have never seen him look as happy as he did in Barcelona, after his first Champions League title, and in Pisa, after Monza’s promotion to Serie A.
“The splendid 2022-23 season followed. Monza was the president’s last great joy. I am absolutely convinced of this.”
Is promotion worth a Champions League win for Milan?
“More than that. Milan had already won two before Berlusconi. Monza had never been in Serie A. When the president promised it, some people smiled. Like when he promised Milan would be world champions.”
Was it difficult to convince him to buy Monza?
“No. Early September 2018. Traditional lunch in Arcore with the president, his children, and his closest collaborators. Before we sit down, I blurt out: ‘Do you know that Monza is for sale?’ Berlusconi mentions it at the table.
“I lower my head to my spaghetti, fearing a negative reaction, but instead the idea is liked. The president orders: ‘Adriano, go and do it’. That same day, I reach an agreement with Felice Colombo, who had been on the Monza board with me in 1975.
“An agreement based on a word between two men from Brianza. And then the climb from Serie C to Serie A. Only one man could have achieved this feat: Silvio Berlusconi. I miss his friendship; there isn’t a single day that I don’t think of him.”
More pride or sadness in parting?
“Pride. A club that had never been in Serie A defeated Inter, Milan, Juve, and Napoli, four big clubs. But it’s also a source of pride to have left a stadium with a UEFA license.
“In 2018, we took it over when it was unusable. And then there’s a training center that’s among the best in Italy. Berlusconi spent €40m on the two facilities.”
Allegri has returned to Milan and is turning them around…
“Max is a great coach. I saw clearly… When he was at Cagliari, I kept telling him: ‘You have the right presence for Milan’. Because, to lead a great team, your presence also counts.
“Max played and dressed well. A fine figure, as Gullit would say. My dream is for him to win the Scudetto on the first try, like in 2010. He can do it, I’m optimistic. The Rossoneri management made a very good choice.”
Did you ever think about signing Modric?
“We had Pirlo, then when he went to Real Madrid he became unapproachable. Modric is a great player. He reminds me a lot of Pirlo. Rabiot was crucial, and Max always liked him a lot.”
Now that you no longer hold an institutional position, you can return as a Milan fan…
“I never stopped being one. I never held back, not even as a Monza manager. I don’t know what I do at the stadium. I realise it when I see myself on TV… I have 31 years of Milan inside me.”
Which stadium would you like to cheer at?
“A city like Milan cannot fail to have a great stadium, in step with the times. And that place can only be San Siro, well-served by metro, roads, and highways, where AC Milan fans have been accustomed to going for 100 years and Inter Milan fans for 80.
“San Siro is impossible to renovate. The alternative is to force the teams to play in the Milanese suburbs. Every city councilor, regardless of political logic, must evaluate whether it is best for the city of Milan to have a wonderful stadium or not have one.
“A cutting-edge, beautiful city like Milan cannot fail to have a stadium worthy of its standards. The heresy is not to demolish San Siro, but to keep Inter and Milan out of their city.”
Galliani, what will you do now?
“Only God knows.”
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