Galliani reveals details on hiring of Allegri and why he ‘hoped’ for Milan return

Adriano Galliani has revealed that he hoped Massimiliano Allegri would return to AC Milan, and also spoke about how he brought him to the club in 2010.

There continues to be speculation in the media that Galliani could return to Milan too having departed his role at Monza following their takeover. For now though he will have to make do with attending games at San Siro as a fan, something he has been spotted doing several times.

Milan have begun the new campaign well under Allegri, finding themselves in second place after the derby win in the last round. They are also on a 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions, and can take top spot at least temporarily with a win against Lazio tonight.

‘I knew nothing, until one day…’

Galliani spoke to journalist Peppe Di Stefano live on Sky at the presentation for the new book ‘A corto muso’, and his comments are below.

You hired Allegri back in 2010, whose idea was it? 

“It came from me and was then approved by the president. I proposed the coaches, then brought them to Arcore where they had to receive the apostolic blessing of the great president, and Allegri got it in 5.2 seconds. It was the day Inter won the Champions League against Bayern Munich in Madrid.”

Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images

Why did you choose him?

“I believe a director must understand when a coach, who had taken Cagliari to ninth place, is suitable or not.”

How has Allegri changed?

“I’ve always found Allegri to be professional, he manages the dressing room, the directors, and the press well, and he can perform his job. I hoped he would come to Milan, I knew nothing, until one day Max informed me.”

Are you someone who dreams of the Scudetto?

“I am a fan, so I allow myself to hope. I want to recall that he won at Sassuolo [promotion] on his first try, at Milan on his first try, at Juventus on his first try, and this is a new first try.”

What do you feel when you hear about players and/or coaches chosen by algorithms?

“The two things are not contradictory, I think both are needed. Before, there were the Panini almanacs (laughs). I don’t think they contradict each other, but only algorithms, in a game, are not enough, because football is not an exact science.

“There must be a component where you need the sensitivity to capture in choosing players and coaches. Algorithms are good, but not only them.”